Students across Georgia are getting an opportunity to spark change for issues they care about by signing up for the Cause + Effect Georgia Progressive Film Competition of 2016.
With no participation fee and cash prizes for the winners, the festival offers students a chance to have their films aired on screen at the Cine theater in Athens.
The deadline for entries is Oct. 2, 2016, so full speed ahead! This could be your chance to raise awareness for a cause that’s important to you and your community and to finally have your voice heard. Submitted films must be between two and 15 minutes long.
The event ran for the first time last year and is hosted by The Alliance for a Better Georgia. The competition focuses on bringing social issues to light through film to promote social change in the state.
Brandon Hanick is the director of Cause + Effect 2016 as well as the communications director for Better Georgia.
“Cause + Effect film festival is beneficial to all students, not just those who are studying film,” Hanick said. “Students are given free rein to explore social, political, environmental or economic issues that affect them personally, or reach into their communities to identify issues.”
Judges select 30 applicants from all of the submissions, which are then narrowed down to seven finalists. From there, first, second and third place winners are determined based on social media feedback of their films.
“Cause + Effect offers a $1,000 grand prize and cash prizes for the second- and third-place winners.” Hanick said. “All semi-finalist films will show on the big screen at Cine in Athens on Nov. 6. Last year, we had a full house for the screening, and we expect even more excitement around this year’s festival.”
Cine, a nonprofit community-based theater, started in 2009 and is the only theater in the region that focuses on mission-driven films. It is located in a historic building in downtown Athens — for those of you who are 21 and up, Cine also offers a full-service bar.
The 2015 first-place film winner was Londrelle Hall with a film entitled “Run for Justice.” It focused on raising awareness for the racial injustice against black men and women in America. You can find it on YouTube.
For more information on the competition, visit causeandeffect.org
