168 Film Project Entry Types

168 films can be made under two general categories, "Speed Films" and "Non-Speed" Films. All filmmakers are fully responsible for their budget, cast and crew. To be award-eligible, film upload must start prior to deadline and films must not exceed the maximum Total Run Time ("TRT"). All films must have readable credits, which ARE part of the TRT.

Speed Films   Non-Speed Films

Speed Films

Signature Speed Films [S]

Our original Speed Film contest, short narratives made worldwide from ANY location, based on a theme and randomly-assigned scripture. Teams take ten days for pre-production (writing, casting, locations and schedules). No writing is allowed before verse assignment. Shooting begins at a specific hour and 168 hours later (exactly 7 days) the finished film is due. To be award-eligible, films must start uploading before the deadline.

TRT: 11-minutes or less.

Student Speed Films [T]

Key personnel (producer, director, etc.) must be active students in a formal educational program (public or private K-12, college or homeschool). They must be supervised by at least one adult Student Advisor if the producer is under 18 years old. All Signature Speed Film rules apply. Student films compete solely for a "Best Student Film" award.

In lieu of writing a script, students may choose a Write of Passage script to produce in the speed film timeframe. (See below)

TRT: 11-minutes or less

CHOOSE YOUR OWN SCHEDULE OPTION: Student producers may use the published Speed Film schedule OR, to fit within an academic schedule, they can name their own deadline date (must be before published turn-in deadline). After notifying 168, a verse will be assigned and the same time period will be given to these students: 10 days pre-production and 168 hours for production and post. Adults producing Speed Films that employ students as part of an academic program may also exercise this option. See Rules for more detail.

Non-Speed Films

Non-Speed Film entrants do not have the rigid 168 hour (7x24) timeframe but have to meet all other criteria. With one exception,* production can begin after fees are paid, documents signed and a related Bible verse is chosen by the producer.

The turn-in deadline and other turn-in requirements are the same as for Speed Films (see Season Schedule.) Non-speed films compete for "Best Film" in their own categories. Nominations and awards for technical/artistic merit and acting are at the discretion of the jury.

Non-speed film producers can complete their non-speed film early and also enter to produce a Speed Film. Or a producer can make more than one non-speed film in a season. A separate entry purchase is required for each film type entered. 

Write of Passage Spotlight Films [W]

Scripts for these films come from the Write of Passage Screenwriting Competition. Producers may license and make a film from a Write of Passage screenplay . Write of Passage Spotlight films compete in their own "Best Film" category. Foundational verses for Write of Passage screenplays are predetermined. See available Write of Passage scripts and also the "How to License" section. 

*Production may begin as soon as choice of script is approved by 168 and entry fees are paid. Please submit your request for a script before purchasing entry. All films have the same turn-in date.

Students may also license a Write of Passage script to make a Write of Passage Student Film in a speed film timeframe.

TRT: 12-minutes or less

Alumni Films [U]

168 veteran filmmakers are invited to develop their own stories and supply the film's foundational verse. Entrants must have had a key role in at least one Speed Film in a previous season (see below). Alumni Films have no rigid start time or production schedule, however, the deadline for delivery is the same as Speed Film entries.

TRT: 12-minutes or less

Specific requirements:

  • Producers choose Foundational Verse and communicate it to 168 prior to Speed Film Verse Assignment
  • Production starts as soon as team is registered
  • Script may be pre-existing (excluding Write of Passage scripts) or original
  • Production may be any genre or style: drama, comedy, doc, etc.
  • Content rules apply
  • Script must be licensed unless producer is the owner
  • Film technical specs & turn-in deadline same as Speed Films
  • "Making Of" behind the scenes films are encouraged (3 minutes)
  • Scriptural Integration is used to break ties. Choose your verse wisely.

Alumni entrants must have experience as a producer or other "key role" in production of a 168 Speed Film from a previous year. Other key roles may include director, writer, DP or editor. Approval by 168 management is required. Please list year and title of your previous Speed Film in notes on entry form.

Documentary [D]

Documentaries are short films based on real-life events or personalities, or teaching/expository film. Promotional films for a ministry or church may be produced and entered in this category. Producers choose their foundational verse (preferably related to the annual theme) and send the verse to 168 before Speed Film verse assignment. Docs may begin production as soon as fees are paid.

TRT: 7 min. or less

KidVid [K]

The KidVid category is for producers to make age-appropriate, Bible-based films for children (e.g. "Veggie Tails" or "Davey & Goliath" for young kids, or a Bible-based "iCarly" for tweens). Content for adults can make KidVids stronger, such as the 2014 winner, "Gift of Grace." Films may be live action, animations, musicals, drama, comedy or any genre appropriate to the target age range. As a non-speed film, production may start as soon as fees are paid. Producers choose a verse related to annual theme. Deadline is the same as speed films. KidVids compete in their own category.

KidVid is NOT a student or "young producer" category, although young people may be featured on screen. Students of all ages are encouraged to make a Student Speed Film (see above).

TRT: 5-minutes or less

Animation [A]

While animation techniques may be used in the other film categories, to qualify for the Best Animation award, a film must have animated content in every frame. Animation styles may vary from full CGI to hand-drawn cell animation, clay animation, or mo-cap virtual actors. 

TRT: 5-minutes or less

Proof of Concept [P]

Do you have an idea for a larger project that you would like a tool to promote? Create a Proof of Concept film. It can be used as a pilot for seeking funding for the larger project. Eligible only for Best Proof of Concept award (+ Angel Invitation consideration).

TRT: 5-9-minutes, with credits. 

See details here.

OPTIONAL: Behind The Scenes ("Making Of 168") Documentaries [B]

These optional mini-documentaries show how the primary film (any of the above) was made. These are fun and informative to audiences and future 168 teams. Filming may start as soon as the team is formed (even before the entry is purchased), documenting preproduction, production and post, and the doc is due one week after the primary film is uploaded. The best "Making Of" docs use interviews, narration and B-roll or stills to quickly tell the story of how the film came to be, and explain what the team learned from the Scriptures as they developed their story.

TRT: 3-minutes or less