Manatee County's Student Film Festival
Film Rush Manatee!
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Specific Rules and Category Descriptions

​Categories: If a time limit is not specified for the category, it remains at 7 minutes or less. Show intros do NOT fit in any category. All categories must tell a story. ​ 
Animation: Characters created on film, video, or computer. Includes two and three-dimensional animation using clay, objects or models. MUST TELL A STORY!
Book Trailers: A video advertisement for a book, which employs techniques similar to those of movie trailers. If book covers are used, the copyright owner must grant permission in writing. (Exception: SSYRA titles) Time limit: 60 seconds
Comedy: A humorous story. May incorporate comedic elements, such as misunderstandings, sight gags, or satire.
Documentary: Original programs that document real facts by providing a view of real events and people.

Drama: Original programs that tell a story using emotion and feeling in a dramatic, creative, and colorful way.
Instructional Video: A program that that helps people learn something by giving instructions.
​Music Video: Video pictures (still or live action) set to music. Score and/or lyrics can either be original or prerecorded. (Must abide by copyright law – no fair use) 
News Feature: Any original news package that highlights a real event, i.e. interview, current event, sports update within a news show. Time limit: 2 minutes (Show openings do not qualify.)
News Show: A school-wide informational show including various segments/packages (news features). (Show openings do not qualify.)

PSA: A Public Service Announcement includes short messages, which inform the public or changes public opinion, actions, or feelings. (60 sec. - absolute maximum)
​Public Service Video: A video with a maximum length of seven minutes that is intended to change public interest by raising familiarity of an issue, affecting public opinion, and fueling action. An infomercial can be considered a public service video. 

Rules for Entering

Important note about using ANY non-student-produced content (images, video, or audio): 
  • All non-student written and produced materials must include a signed release, specifying permission for use from the owner of that material. Copyright permission must be credited in writing on the entry form for use of images, all music (original or non-original), and authoring programs. Entries with identifiable copyright violations will be disqualified. Fair Use Guidelines do not apply to Jim Harbin entries. Creative Commons licensed content is allowed but must follow the correct guidelines, and attribution must be included.  Please include attribution or proper notation for ALL content, even CC0 and Public Domain content. For specific details, visit the Copyright Guidelines file also found under the “Tools for Students” tab. ​​


Video files must be submitted online no later than Friday, April 5th, 2019 at 4pm.
Entries may be produced by an individual, group, class, or club. Films completed after a district competition, or May 1, may be entered in the next year’s competition.

Scripts and/or storyboards must accompany each FAME student online Entry Form, completed and uploaded into the online application​. 
Students must complete all required fields on the form.
Some items to note for this online form:​​
  • ​We are REGION 4
  • Our district Jim Harbin contact is JOANNE TORLUCCI
  • SPONSOR name is the teacher or advisor for the project
  • MAME or FAME Member name is your Media Specialist. Please ensure that your Media Specialist is indeed a current member of either the Manatee Assoc. for Media in Ed. or and/or the Florida Association of Media in Education.

Parental Permission Forms must be completed and signed for all video participants under the age of 18. Print the form, have it signed, and then scan and submit with your online Film Rush Entry Form.

Name, address, and phone number must be included with the release, giving FAME permission to copy and broadcast the student production at no charge. When completing student addresses on registration forms, you must use the STUDENT’S mailing address – not the school’s.  Addresses are required so MAME and FAME may reach students during the summer.  

As a reminder, all entries must be student written and produced in their entirety, with the signed approval of an active MAME/FAME member. Teachers/ sponsors are NOT allowed to write, record or edit. Teachers/sponsors are only allowed to advise.

There is a $20 submission fee per entry if your school does not have a MAME/FAME member on staff (this does not need to be the advisor). Please send a check payable to MAME to Treasurer Terri Rhode, Lee Middle School. MAME is the professional organizations for Manatee County Media Specialists in Education, and are the sponsors of this event at the local level. For more information, you may contact. The dues for joining MAME are $20 for annual membership.)

Winning entries will be notified in May and will be then submitted onward for regional judging. Regional winners are then forwarded to state level competition.


All district first, second, and third place entries (in each category) in Manatee County will be submitted to FAME for regional judging. All entries MUST be sponsored by a FAME member at each school. FAME sponsor membership will be verified before regional judging. Before May 30th, all regional entries will be judged. Regional winners must be submitted to the state chair by 5 pm June 1 to be eligible for inclusion in the state competition. For more information visit the FL State Jim Harbin page.