HOW TO APPLY

Submit your production proposal on Film Freeway by August 8, 2023

10 semi-finalists are chosen to move on to the final round of selection

4 films will be awarded $5,000 to shoot in October 2023

  • Proposals + $20.00 Registration Fee are submitted via FilmFreeway
  • All production teams must have at least one InFocus Film School alumnus in a key creative role (Producer, Director, Screenwriter, Cinematographer OR Production Designer) for the proposal to be considered.
  • All applicants (including non-InFocus alumni) can only hold a key creative role in one film.
  • The Lead Producer must be a Citizen / Permanent Resident of Canada.
  • The festival accepts all genres of live action scripted short films including drama, comedy, science fiction, horror, fantasy, musical, etc. Animation, documentary and experimental films are not eligible.
  • The short film projects must have a run time between 7-10 mins, including on-screen credits, and the script should be approximately 8-12 pages in length.
  • CONTENT RATING: Ensure that the proposed film’s content aligns with an R-rating or lower,  as per the MPAA Rating System. Avoid excessive nudity, or gratuitous violence that would exceed this rating.
  • Audience appropriateness: Content that is considered purposefully offensive- derogatory, hateful, triggering, or inappropriate is strictly prohibited.
  • The Producer must have at least 2 short film credits.
  • All participants must be located in Vancouver, British Columbia at the time of production.
  • 100% of the film must be shot in British Columbia, Canada.
  • No more than 25% of grant funds can be allocated for labor.
  • No more than 15% of the project can have been previously shot.
  • Old Bank will provide a cash budget of $5,000 to each successful team; teams are allowed to further increase the budget independently via crowdfunding, investors etc, and teams can also utilize in-kind services.
  • 50% of the budget will be dispersed upon the pre-production stage of principle photography and the final 50% will be dispersed at film delivery.
  • Late proposals will not be considered under any circumstances.
  • We highly encourage embracing diversity in your production teams.
  • Film concepts must be based on an original idea. If it is not, filmmakers will need to provide full documentation showing they have the rights to adaptation.
  • COPYRIGHT: Old Bank Studios + InFocus Film School retains the right to use the films for promotional purposes. Filmmakers will retain 100% rights to produce sequels, feature films, television series, web series, or any other production. Filmmakers will retain 80% of the rights to sell or distribute the films upon completion. Old Bank Studios and InFocus Film School will retain 20% of the film rights. Old Bank Studios and InFocus Film School also reserves the right to market and distribute the film for marketing and promotional purposes.
  • All films must feature InFocus Film School, Old Bank Studios and Film Heist logos in the credits of their film. These cannot under any circumstances be removed for any and all releases including new edits or extended cuts.
  • Proposals + $20.00 Registration Fee are submitted via FilmFreeway
  • All production teams must have at least one InFocus Film School alumnus in a key creative role (Producer, Director, Screenwriter) for the proposal to be considered.
  • All applicants (including non-InFocus alumni) can only hold a key creative role in one film.
  • The Lead Producer must be a Citizen / Permanent Resident of Canada.
  • The festival accepts all genres of live action scripted short films including drama, comedy, science fiction, horror, fantasy, musical, etc. Animation, documentary and experimental films are not eligible.
  • The short film projects must have a run time between 7-10 mins, including on-screen credits, and the script should be approximately 8-12 pages in length.
  • CONTENT RATING: Ensure that the proposed film’s content aligns with an R-rating or lower,  as per the MPAA Rating System. Avoid excessive nudity, or gratuitous violence that would exceed this rating.
  • Audience appropriateness: Content that is considered purposefully offensive- derogatory, hateful, triggering, or inappropriate is strictly prohibited.
  • The Producer must have at least 2 short film credits.
  • All participants must be located in Vancouver, British Columbia at the time of production.
  • 100% of the film must be shot in British Columbia, Canada.
  • No more than 25% of grant funds can be allocated for labor.
  • No more than 15% of the project can have been previously shot.
  • Old Bank will provide a cash budget of $5,000 to each successful team; teams are allowed to further increase the budget independently via crowdfunding, investors etc, and teams can also utilize in-kind services.
  • 50% of the budget will be dispersed upon the pre-production stage of principle photography and the final 50% will be dispersed at film delivery.
  • Late proposals will not be considered under any circumstances.
  • We highly encourage embracing diversity in your production teams.
  • Film concepts must be based on an original idea. If it is not, filmmakers will need to provide full documentation showing they have the rights to adaptation.
  • COPYRIGHT: Old Bank Studios + InFocus Film School retains the right to use the films for promotional purposes. Filmmakers will retain 100% rights to produce sequels, feature films, television series, web series, or any other production. Filmmakers will retain 80% of the rights to sell or distribute the films upon completion. Old Bank Studios and InFocus Film School will retain 20% of the film rights. Old Bank Studios and InFocus Film School also reserves the right to market and distribute the film for marketing and promotional purposes.
  • All films must feature InFocus Film School, Old Bank Studios and Film Heist logos in the credits of their film. These cannot under any circumstances be removed for any and all releases including new edits or extended cuts.