NEFTi, an international short film competition created to uplift underrepresented voices in film, will officially launch a US-based competition. Submissions are now open, with applications due February 17.
The competition includes $3,000 in grant money for finalists to produce their short, guidance from Hollywood industry professionals during the production process, a screening at an international film festival, and a combined $7,000 in prize money for winners.
Filmmakers from marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds and communities, such as indigenous/POC filmmakers, immigrant filmmakers, and LGBTQ+ filmmakers, are encouraged to apply.
“After six successful international competitions, we’re excited to bring NEFTi home to the states for the first time,” said founder Paul Robinson. “Although the US has the largest film economy in the world, our filmmaking is still dominated by people from certain backgrounds and experiences. With NEFTi, we’re creating a platform for filmmakers who haven’t always had the opportunity to see themselves in front of or behind the camera.”
Prospective competitors can submit an application to NEFTi USA online. From the pool of applicants, NEFTi will select ten prospective competitors as semi-finalists. These semi-finalists will then pitch their short film concept to NEFTi’s panel of judges, including Academy Award winning producer Bruce Cohen, actress Vivica A. Fox, and 20th Century Fox executive Ted Gagliano. Based on these pitches, the judges will select three NEFTi USA finalists.
Each finalist will receive a $3,000 grant to produce their short film, which must be completed in 30 days. The three finalist films will then screen for audiences at an international film festival. (The screening location for NEFTi USA has yet to be announced; previous competition cycles have screened at festivals like Cannes, Berlin, and ARIFF.) The NEFTi judges will select one Grand Prize winner to receive a $5,000 prize; the short voted as the favorite by the festival audience will also receive a $2,000 Audience Choice prize.
To learn more about NEFTi and to apply to enter the competition, visit nefticompetition.com. You can also stay up to date with the competition on socials at @nefticompetition. Prospective filmmakers must submit their application by February 17 for consideration in this competition cycle.
Meanwhile, for more updates on film competitions and awards, check back to THS.
