CATEGORY I: THE ARTS
SHORT FILM
The SIST Short Film Competition seeks to encourage audio-visual expression of Islamic culture and identity among a younger generation of Muslims as well as reward those whose work displays talent and originality.
All short film entries MUST be between 5 – 7 minutes from beginning to end. Competitors MUST reflect on the theme for this topic. Any short film that does not have a clear link to the theme will not be accepted. Note: serious and comedy films will not be judged separately.
THEME: Revive the Light Within; Let the Change Begin
Competition Guidelines:
1. Each team can register a maximum of 1 group for this competition and only one entry per team can be made.
2. Since this is a group event, entry can be made either by a single member or a group of maximum 6 members, working in collaboration. [More than 6 people may work on the project but only up to 6 can be registered for it]
3. Entries MUST be original works that have been made exclusively for this competition and have not been previously awarded or publicly exhibited. Furthermore, the entrant(s) must be the creator(s) and owners(s) of the submitted work. Plagiarism and violation of copyright laws will result in immediate disqualification from the competition.
4. Entries must be submitted to the SIST Committee for approval at scmconference@gmail.com before 26th January. Entries can also be uploaded on YouTube/ Vimeo/ Dropbox etc and the link emailed to us. Entries received after the deadline, including the day of the competition, will be disqualified. No exception will be made in this regard.
5. Films submitted may be comedy or serious.
6. TIP from the judges: An idea for a funny film could be making fun of cultural practices that have nothing to do with true Islam but have come to be thought of as such. Be careful to ascertain that the practice you intend to shed light on does in fact have no basis whatsoever in the Islamic literature. Use of an external mic during the recording or editing the video with sound software can significantly improve the quality of the video; adding subtitles can also help.
7. All films MUST relate to this year’s theme as given above or risk losing points.
8. Inappropriate content of any sort will not be tolerated. SIST judges reserve the right to disqualify any participant and their film whose content violates decency of language and the Islamic dress code as outlined in the Rules & Restrictions section of the rulebook. Please note: Our objective is not to curtail your creativity but to ensure a professional and decent environment.
9. Each Film group must submit a typed, short explanation of their film, no more than ONE A4 page long. The explanation should include what inspired the competitor to make the film and the lesson behind it.
10. Groups will be interviewed for five minutes in order to describe how they made the film, what the purpose behind the film is, and what inspired them.
11. Entries MUST be original works that have not been previously distributed/ awarded/ recognized/ publicly exhibited as of the submission date. Entrant must be the creator of the submitted work, holding the full copyright ownership therein.
12. By entering this competition you are giving SIST permission to publish your work on its website and in all forms of promotional material, electronic, print or otherwise. You maintain copyright ownership to your work and are responsible for its content. However, if you do not wish to publish your work, inform the SIST Committee beforehand with a written application.
Short-Film can consist of the following categories:
I. Real Movie
II. Animation
III. Short Commercial
IV. Picture Movie
Please note: The examples given are just to give an idea. It is not at all compulsory that one should make something similar to the given example].
Real movie:
It could be a documentary or a movie. This can be comedy or serious. From concept and storyboard, to footage and editing, the competitors must be able to put it all together and move an audience. This is an effort to appreciate our young producers, director, editors and main screen actors. Unique perspectives and creativity abound in this process but the story must still come through the digital media and have a strong purpose and meaning. It should consist of real characters. Story/idea should be within the bounds of morality and should give some useful message. It should completely display Islamic culture. For example, one can focus on the current detrimental condition of Pakistan and can show some solutions according to our national heroes like Allama Iqbal who based their ideology purely on Islam. The content of the video can also be poetic or can contain dialogues or just music (but make sure the type of music is Islamically allowed). Any video format is accepted.
Short Commercial:
This can also be comedy or serious. Let’s rewind back to the PTV commercials of 1990s. You might remember the famous Wasim Akram commercial on hazards of smoking and also the commercial on importance of cleanliness. Similarly participants can make commercials on any important aspect which is required to make a society better. For example, the importance of greeting (saying assalam o alaikum) can be shown, importance of cleanliness in school cafes/class rooms can be shown through a commercial or anything which gives a good message. It can be submitted under any video format.
Animation:
Animations have been moving the simulation and entertainment world for quite some time now. The aim is simple, to find animators capable of using digital media to bring forward their imagination. These animations can be movies, documentaries or short clips which are strong enough to move the audience (2D or 3D animation). The best example could be an animation of Ka’aba, or other beautiful architectures of Muslim world. Depiction of human or animal figures is not allowed in any form except for silhouettes or shadows
Picture movie:
The art of photography empowers us to tell a story without using words. This category invites students to capture a series of still photos that tell a story. The photo essay should provoke thought and discussion and inspire the audience. You are to provide a photo essay connected to a theme of your choice, which can be up to 20 pictures. Example: A nasheed (Islamic song) like Orphan girl by Zain Bhikha can be used and pictures accordingly can be shown.
Rules:
1. Only Islamic Music is allowed. It could be sounds from nature (birds, wind, rainfall, thunder etc), it could be sound effects like whoosh, swoosh, clap, type writer, bomb blast or other sounds which do not include any musical instruments. Stretch your mind and use anything EXCEPT MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. Duff music is encouraged. Islamic anasheeds (without music or those containing duff and beat box) could be used.
2. Islamic dress code must be followed.
3. Intermixing of sexes is not encouraged. However if some requirement arises of showing males and females together, try to do it between mehrams, although the interaction should only be limited to conversation.
4. Promotion of non-Muslim values or culture will not be tolerated. Constructive criticism is allowed.
5. The idea/theme should be purely innovative and not plagiarized.
6. No personal attack on any individual/group is allowed, whether Islamic or political, either by taking its name or by hitting it indirectly. Be positive. Make your work very simple and basic. Try to promote goodness. However, any un-Islamic practice being followed by a majority on the name of Islam could be tackled and shown in a comedic way, but such a work should also not contain any personal attack to any individual/group. It should be dealt with in a manner of correction (Islah)
7. No promotion of any jamaat, organization or individual through your video is allowed.
MAKE YOUR ENTRY STAND OUT!
(NEXT EVENT)
For details on other categories: click here
All short film entries MUST be between 5 – 7 minutes from beginning to end. Competitors MUST reflect on the theme for this topic. Any short film that does not have a clear link to the theme will not be accepted. Note: serious and comedy films will not be judged separately.
THEME: Revive the Light Within; Let the Change Begin
Competition Guidelines:
1. Each team can register a maximum of 1 group for this competition and only one entry per team can be made.
2. Since this is a group event, entry can be made either by a single member or a group of maximum 6 members, working in collaboration. [More than 6 people may work on the project but only up to 6 can be registered for it]
3. Entries MUST be original works that have been made exclusively for this competition and have not been previously awarded or publicly exhibited. Furthermore, the entrant(s) must be the creator(s) and owners(s) of the submitted work. Plagiarism and violation of copyright laws will result in immediate disqualification from the competition.
4. Entries must be submitted to the SIST Committee for approval at scmconference@gmail.com before 26th January. Entries can also be uploaded on YouTube/ Vimeo/ Dropbox etc and the link emailed to us. Entries received after the deadline, including the day of the competition, will be disqualified. No exception will be made in this regard.
5. Films submitted may be comedy or serious.
6. TIP from the judges: An idea for a funny film could be making fun of cultural practices that have nothing to do with true Islam but have come to be thought of as such. Be careful to ascertain that the practice you intend to shed light on does in fact have no basis whatsoever in the Islamic literature. Use of an external mic during the recording or editing the video with sound software can significantly improve the quality of the video; adding subtitles can also help.
7. All films MUST relate to this year’s theme as given above or risk losing points.
8. Inappropriate content of any sort will not be tolerated. SIST judges reserve the right to disqualify any participant and their film whose content violates decency of language and the Islamic dress code as outlined in the Rules & Restrictions section of the rulebook. Please note: Our objective is not to curtail your creativity but to ensure a professional and decent environment.
9. Each Film group must submit a typed, short explanation of their film, no more than ONE A4 page long. The explanation should include what inspired the competitor to make the film and the lesson behind it.
10. Groups will be interviewed for five minutes in order to describe how they made the film, what the purpose behind the film is, and what inspired them.
11. Entries MUST be original works that have not been previously distributed/ awarded/ recognized/ publicly exhibited as of the submission date. Entrant must be the creator of the submitted work, holding the full copyright ownership therein.
12. By entering this competition you are giving SIST permission to publish your work on its website and in all forms of promotional material, electronic, print or otherwise. You maintain copyright ownership to your work and are responsible for its content. However, if you do not wish to publish your work, inform the SIST Committee beforehand with a written application.
Short-Film can consist of the following categories:
I. Real Movie
II. Animation
III. Short Commercial
IV. Picture Movie
Please note: The examples given are just to give an idea. It is not at all compulsory that one should make something similar to the given example].
Real movie:
It could be a documentary or a movie. This can be comedy or serious. From concept and storyboard, to footage and editing, the competitors must be able to put it all together and move an audience. This is an effort to appreciate our young producers, director, editors and main screen actors. Unique perspectives and creativity abound in this process but the story must still come through the digital media and have a strong purpose and meaning. It should consist of real characters. Story/idea should be within the bounds of morality and should give some useful message. It should completely display Islamic culture. For example, one can focus on the current detrimental condition of Pakistan and can show some solutions according to our national heroes like Allama Iqbal who based their ideology purely on Islam. The content of the video can also be poetic or can contain dialogues or just music (but make sure the type of music is Islamically allowed). Any video format is accepted.
Short Commercial:
This can also be comedy or serious. Let’s rewind back to the PTV commercials of 1990s. You might remember the famous Wasim Akram commercial on hazards of smoking and also the commercial on importance of cleanliness. Similarly participants can make commercials on any important aspect which is required to make a society better. For example, the importance of greeting (saying assalam o alaikum) can be shown, importance of cleanliness in school cafes/class rooms can be shown through a commercial or anything which gives a good message. It can be submitted under any video format.
Animation:
Animations have been moving the simulation and entertainment world for quite some time now. The aim is simple, to find animators capable of using digital media to bring forward their imagination. These animations can be movies, documentaries or short clips which are strong enough to move the audience (2D or 3D animation). The best example could be an animation of Ka’aba, or other beautiful architectures of Muslim world. Depiction of human or animal figures is not allowed in any form except for silhouettes or shadows
Picture movie:
The art of photography empowers us to tell a story without using words. This category invites students to capture a series of still photos that tell a story. The photo essay should provoke thought and discussion and inspire the audience. You are to provide a photo essay connected to a theme of your choice, which can be up to 20 pictures. Example: A nasheed (Islamic song) like Orphan girl by Zain Bhikha can be used and pictures accordingly can be shown.
Rules:
1. Only Islamic Music is allowed. It could be sounds from nature (birds, wind, rainfall, thunder etc), it could be sound effects like whoosh, swoosh, clap, type writer, bomb blast or other sounds which do not include any musical instruments. Stretch your mind and use anything EXCEPT MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. Duff music is encouraged. Islamic anasheeds (without music or those containing duff and beat box) could be used.
2. Islamic dress code must be followed.
3. Intermixing of sexes is not encouraged. However if some requirement arises of showing males and females together, try to do it between mehrams, although the interaction should only be limited to conversation.
4. Promotion of non-Muslim values or culture will not be tolerated. Constructive criticism is allowed.
5. The idea/theme should be purely innovative and not plagiarized.
6. No personal attack on any individual/group is allowed, whether Islamic or political, either by taking its name or by hitting it indirectly. Be positive. Make your work very simple and basic. Try to promote goodness. However, any un-Islamic practice being followed by a majority on the name of Islam could be tackled and shown in a comedic way, but such a work should also not contain any personal attack to any individual/group. It should be dealt with in a manner of correction (Islah)
7. No promotion of any jamaat, organization or individual through your video is allowed.
MAKE YOUR ENTRY STAND OUT!
(NEXT EVENT)
For details on other categories: click here
