We Want You To Make A Film

Ever wanted to make a film? Well now’s your chance. ShortList’s new film-making challenge could change your life

Fame and fortune, both of these could be yours (several years down the line) if you enter our new filmmaking competition. It’s called ‘ShortList Shorts’, and is open to everyone, regardless of your experience. In fact, we’ve created this especially for those who have always wanted to make a film, but never had the opportunity or excuse. This is your moment.

We want you to make one-minute films around the theme of ‘A bad day at the office’. It can be any genre, in any style – it’s totally up to you how you interpret the theme. If you want zombies, do zombies. If you want romance, do romance. Just steer away from porn or Police Academy sequels. 

You can make your film on whatever equipment you like, but as we’re pitching this at first-timers, and don’t want you to spend loads of money, we suggest you film them on your phones, and edit them on free software (see over the page for technical advice).

Making a film is a group effort, so you will need collaborators: writers, actors, camera operators, sycophants. We suggest you get a group of people together in your office as cast and crew, and maybe shoot at lunchtimes. If your CEO has all the skills required to be a best boy, now is his chance to show them off. Up to you, of course – you could use this as a team-building event, but if you want to unleash your inner Orson Welles by writing, directing and starring in a solo masterpiece, go for it.

This competition is set up in sponsored_longform with Raindance Film Festival, which takes place 23 September-4 October. On the right you will find a mini guide to filmmaking by festival founder Elliot Grove. Over the next few weeks we’ll be giving you more filmmaking advice in ShortList to help you with your project.

The best five films submitted will be shown at a ShortList gala screening at the festival on 30 September at Vue, Leicester Square, and the winner will be announced at the after party at the Café Royal in London. The winner will receive a trophy and £1,000 of film school vouchers to take your new career forward.

That’s about it. At the very least, this is a chance to have some fun, and you never know, fame, fortune, awards, rehab, eventual bitter obscurity… they could all be yours. 

How to enter

• Make a one-minute film around the theme of ‘A bad day at the office’.
• Upload it to YouTube, Vimeo or a similar destination.
• Email us the link to [email protected]. Please include the following details: your name, area and phone number; the name of your film and a brief synopsis; cast and crew details.
• Entries close on 20 September 2015.
• The judges are the ShortList and Raindance teams. The judges’ decision is final.
• ShortList and Raindance will have full usage rights of all entries during the competition, and for future promotional purposes.
• For full terms and conditions, go to ShortList.com/shortsterms

For help on getting started, here are some film making tips from Raindance Film Festival's Elliot Grove

(Photography: Matt Holyoak)

A Note From ShortList

‘We have edited this story. An intended ironic joke about how fame, fortune and women could be yours, was quite rightly flagged up as potentially off-putting to female or gay entrants.

We are a men’s magazine of course, but we welcome all entrants to this competition and apologise to anyone who was offended.  And just to be clear: there will be no gender or sexuality bias in the judging process.

We’re very proud to be working with Raindance on supporting all new film makers. Thanks, ShortList Ed’