FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: EARTHxFilm CEO Ryan Brown Announces Education Initiatives, and Film Contests for the Fest's Debut

EARTHxFilm, presented by Earth Day Texas (EDTx), today CEO Ryan Brown announced educational initiatives for the environmentally focused film festival’s debut at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas on April 20-23.

Those initiatives include filmmaking workshops and classes; a 72-hour film race; and an online short film competition, with jury and audience awards; and $6,000 in cash prizes for the film race and the online competition.

“We are excited to broaden Earth Day Texas’ mission with the addition of EARTHxFilm this year,” said Earth Day Texas CEO Ryan Brown. “These initiatives are an important feature of Earth Day Texas to drive awareness, encourage participation and further education about the arts and media in our community.”
“We aim to inspire the future generation of environmental activists, storytellers and global leaders by giving them a platform from which they can share their vision, message and passion,” added EARTHxFilm Founder/President, Michael Cain.

ONLINE SHORT FILM COMPETITION
The online short film competition will aim to turn awareness into action by motivating and inspiring the next generation of environmental activists, storytellers and global leaders through the power of film. The entries will showcase films and emerging media that explore conservation, climate and the environment made by inspired young filmmakers.
The open call for films will be from March 23 through April 16. Films must be 60 seconds or less in length. The competition is open to both documentary and narrative films. The top 20 films will be screened on opening night at the inaugural EARTHxFilm premiere screening on April 20. The films will be screened and the winners announced at the EARTHxFilm festival on Sunday, April 23 at 4:00PM.
The grand prize winner will be awarded a $1000 cash prize. In addition to other prizes, there be a $500 cash prize for the Audience Award winner.
Filmmakers must either be between the ages of 12-17 or 18-21 to enter. Films may be of any genre but need to be based on provided topics. Films must be submitted via social media. Applicants must like/follow @EARTHxFilm on Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram, and use #EARTHxShorts for their film to be considered. Visit EARTHxFilm.org for details.

THE 72-HOUR FILM RACE
The 72-Hour Film Race will be designed to turn awareness into action by navigating young filmmakers through the Earth Day Texas event, using a scavenger hunt that includes visiting several booths, vendors, and environmentally-conscious experts and panel speakers to be included in their short films. This unique approach will educate the next generation about their earth while allowing them to express themselves creatively through means of film and social media.
The race will begin at 12:00PM on April 20 and concludes at 12:00PM on April 23. Films must be 60 seconds or less in length and may be of any genre but need to be based on at least one of four provided topics. The grand prize winner will be awarded a $1000 cash prize. In addition to other prizes, there will be a $500 cash prize for the Audience Award winner. The films will be screened and the winners announced at the EARTHxFilm festival on Sunday, April 23 at 4:00PM. Visit EARTHxFilm.org for details.

FILMMAKING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
EARTHxFilm at Earth Day Texas will offer several filmmaking workshops and classes for young students and film enthusiasts ranging from one to three hours in duration, including:
Workshops
How To Make A Film

Classes
How To Make A Documentary
How To Conduct An On-Camera Interview
Filming Techniques
How To Edit
Ask A Filmmaker

How To Make A Film Workshop: Young filmmakers will gain invaluable hands-on experience in narrative and documentary production from industry professionals. From story development to the big screen, subjects such as crafting narrative and documentary films, creating shot lists, scouting locations, producing, directing, operating cameras, recording sound and assisting in editing short environmentally conscious films will be offered. The workshop will be free to middle school, high school and college-aged students. Following completion of the workshop, filmmakers and their families will be invited to attend a special screening of select films at the EARTHxFilm festival on Sunday, April 23 at 4:00PM.
The How To Make A Film workshops will run several times throughout the Earth Day Texas event. Tentative schedule is as follows:
Friday, 4/21 – 10:00AM & 1:30PM
Saturday, 4/22 – 10:00AM & 1:30PM
Sunday, 4/23 – 11:00AM
Classes: The focused classes (How To Make A Documentary, How To Conduct An On-Camera Interview, Filming Techniques, How To Edit, Ask A Filmmaker) will be available Saturday, 4/22, and Sunday, 4/23.
Details for class registration information, and 72-hour film race details will be made available at earthxfilm.org.