About Shorts of the Fort

Join us at the Alliance for the Arts for the inaugural Shorts of the Fort where the captivating landscapes and vibrant communities of Lee County, Florida take center stage. This unique film festival invites you to submit your short films, ranging from a quick 30-second snapshot to an immersive 5-minute narrative, showcasing the islands, beaches, and neighborhoods of Fort Myers. Whether you are a seasoned director or a budding storyteller, this is your opportunity to capture the essence of what Lee County is to you in film. Get creative with your visuals and storytelling to explore the rich tapestry of local life and nature. Share your vision, connect with fellow filmmakers, and gain exposure in a dynamic setting. Don’t miss your chance to be part of a festival that celebrates the diverse beauty of greater Fort Myers through the power of film. Submit your work and make every frame count at the Shorts of the Fort and contribute to a festival that cherishes the power of film and the allure of local culture. Make every frame impactful—join us and let your creativity shine!

Awards and Prizes

Cash prizes will be awarded to winners in each category:

1. Best of the Fest $1000
2. Top film in each Category: $500
   • Categories:
     • Island Odyssey: films featuring the surrounding islands in Lee County
     • Beach Bliss: films featuring the vast beaches and river banks in Lee County
     • Neighborhood Narratives: films featuring any of the towns, hamlets, iconic places across Lee County.
3. Audience Favorite: $500
4. Best Student Film: $500

Film Screening & Award Reception: To receive your award at our ceremony, you must provide your contact information (Name, Phone, Email, Address) upon submission. Submit your film through Film Freeway at  https://filmfreeway.com/

Rules

All film submissions must be between 30 seconds and 5 minutes in length.

Fees/ Deadlines:
$10 Early Bird Fee – May 31, 2024
$15 Regular Fee – July 31, 2024
$25 Late Fee – August 26, 2024

All films must be submitted by August 26, 2024 through Film Freeway at https://filmfreeway.com/

Selected films will be screened during the Shorts of the Fort Film Festival on Saturday, September 20, 2024, at the Alliance for the Arts located at 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, Florida 33919.

Submission Rules for the Shorts of the Fort Film Festival
By submitting your film to “Shorts of the Fort” you acknowledge that you have read and understand the following conditions.

General Submission Guidelines:

1. Film Length: All film submissions must be between 30 seconds-5 minutes long, including credits.
2. Submission Platform: Films must be submitted online via FilmFreeway.
3. Submission Deadline: All submissions must be received by August 15, 2024.
4. Subject Matter: Films must focus on portraying the islands, beaches, and neighborhoods of Lee County.
5. Multiple Submissions: Filmmakers may make multiple submissions, but each project must be submitted separately. Entry fees apply for each film.
6. Eligibility: There are no age restrictions for filmmakers, but the submitter must be at least 18 years of age.
7. Production Window: All films must have been shot post January, 2023
8. Student Film Fees: Entries for Student Films are free. A student is defined by an individual currently enrolled in an Elementary, Middle, High-School or University.
9. Rights: By submitting footage to the “Shorts of the Fort”, the participant hereby agrees to transfer and assign all rights, title, and interest in and to the submitted footage to Lee
County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB), including but not limited to copyright and any other intellectual property rights. The participant acknowledges and agrees that the
submitted footage, upon acceptance by Lee County VCB, becomes the exclusive property of Lee County VCB, and Lee County VCB shall have the right to use, reproduce, distribute, display, and sublicense the footage for any purposes, without further compensation to the participant.
10. Copyright: All video, soundtrack, text and music in the film should not violate the copyright laws. You may be asked to supply documentation supporting your claim. Violation of copyright is a sufficient justification from exclusion of the film from participation in the competition.

Format

1. Videos can be submitted as .mp4, .mov, or any other standard video format.
2. Videos should be 1920×1080 (1080p) or above in resolution.
3. 30 second video submissions must be shot vertically ( 9 x 16) for use on IG
and TikTok.

Non-Refundable Fees: Submission fees are non-refundable. These guidelines ensure that your work is presented in the best possible light and reaches a wide audience, offering filmmakers a fantastic opportunity to showcase their talents in a vibrant community setting.