Have you ever dreamed of making a movie that ends up on the shelves of one of the world’s biggest video stores? No? Well, get some better dreams and join us for DIRECT TO VIDEO, a unique 48-hour film festival hosted by Movie Madness, Portland’s legendary independent video store.

Participating teams will have 48 hours (June 9-11) to produce an original short film featuring a secret prompt. All films that hit the deadline will be compiled on the DIRECT TO VIDEO DVD COMPILATION and added to Movie Madness’s legendary collection. Films will also be screened on June 16 at the Movie Madness Miniplex.

• Films must feature a prompt and prop that will be revealed at the festival kickoff party on June 9 at 8:00pm at Movie Madness. Completed film submissions must be received by Sunday, June 11 at 8pm. All genres are welcome.

• Prizes include a free Miniplex rental, Movie Madness gift cards and merch, Hollywood Theatre movie passes, and our coveted golden VHS trophy. All participating teams will also receive one copy of the DVD (with the option to purchase more if desired).

• Registration is open May 2-31, or until we hit our 15-team limit. The application fee is $50 per team.

• Questions? Email filmfest@moviemadness.org.

Register here.

Rules & Terms

At least one member of each team must be physically present for the kickoff event on June 9 at 8:00pm at Movie Madness. No remote accommodations will be available.

Films must be 4-6 minutes long and include the prompt that is revealed at our kickoff event. All films must be written, shot, and edited during the designated 48 hours of the competition.

No filming permitted in Movie Madness.

Films must be at R-rating or below. No hate speech, no sexual assault, no gratuitous nudity, no poop or bodily fluid.

Films must be entirely original. If a submission includes copyrighted material, we will not accept it.

All footage must be shot during the official 48 hour period. No stock footage may be used on the piece.

If a team fails to hit the Sunday, June 11, 8:00pm deadline for any reason, the film will not be accepted and the entry fee will not be refunded. If a team withdraws from participation for any reason, the entry fee will not be refunded.

Employees of Film Action Oregon are prohibited from participating in this festival.

We reserve the right to reject any submission for any reason. If a submission is rejected for a violation of the stated rules, the entry fee will not be refunded.

The filmmaker/film submitter agrees that:

An exhibition-quality** digital file is required to be submitted by Sunday, June 9, 2023 at 8:00pm PST.

Late submissions will not be accepted and festival application fees will not be refunded.

The submitted film will be added to the Direct to Video compilation that is made available to rent for free at Movie Madness and provided to festival participants (first copy free, fee required for additional copies).. Movie Madness may exercise the right to sell this compilation after the festival.

Films submitted for consideration must have previously obtained all legal copyright clearances, licenses, and permissions for materials contained within the films (picture and audio). By submitting a film to the project, the submitter certifies that they are the copyright owner of the film or are authorized by the copyright owner to submit the film and that it has been legally cleared for public exhibition.

If a legal claim arises in connection with the submitted film, the filmmaker/person/company submitting the film for entry agrees to bear all costs incurred by Film Action Oregon in defense of the claim, including full payment of all damages, due royalties, and reimbursement of all incurred attorney fees and travel fees.

Submission to the project is a Declaration of Ownership of copyright of the film by the owner or authorized representative of owner.

By entering a film submission, you are indicating that you understand, comply with, and agree to the project's General Rules and Terms.

All music used must fall into the following categories in order to be used in the participant's films: Original score created specifically for the piece. (Music can be scored by someone outside your team and prior to the event. The soundtrack must have appropriate written permissions.) Music created using royalty free loops and beds. Royalty free music with written documentation. Purchased sound FX / Music beds. Copyrighted music with written permission from the artist/publisher. Festival rights are acceptable. Creative Commons with Attribution and documentation

**Technical specs:

File Types: h264 (.mp4), ProRes (.mov)
Resolution: 1080p, UHD (any aspect ratio)
Sound: Mono, stereo or multichannel (up to 5.1)
CC/Subtitles: Burned-in