168 Film Project Entry Types

Speed Films

This is  our original Speed Film contest, where short narratives are made worldwide from ANY location, based on scripture related to the announced theme. Teams take ten days for pre-production (writing, casting, locations and schedules). No writing is allowed before verse assignment, where a verse from the Bible is randomly chosen that becomes the team's "destiny."  Teams synchronize their clocks so that they are all producing at exactly the same time globally.

Signature Speed Films

This is the classification for non-student productions. Signature Speed Films are produced on the schedule published by 168. "Verse Assignment" starts the 10-day pre-production process. Shooting may begin at the appointed time, and 168 hours later (exactly 7 days) the finished film is due. To be award-eligible, films must start uploading before the deadline.

PICK YOUR SCHEDULE: Speed Film teams registering early can choose from THREE timeframes to make a film in a week. At registration, choose Group 1, Group 2, or Group 3, whichever is most convenient for your team's availability.  (You may change to a later group after registration, but not after Verse Assignment.) Multiple entries are allowed, one speed film per Group - separate entry purchase required.

TRT: 11-minutes or less.

Register your Signature Speed Film Team

Student Speed Films [T]

Key personnel (writer, 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. Adult mentors are welcome to help the students excel. Adults or non-students may be in the cast or tech support roles. All Signature Speed Film rules apply. Student films compete for a "Best Student Film" award, and are also eligible for Evangelista and Audience Favorite awards.

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 one of the published Speed Film schedules OR, to fit within an academic schedule, they can name their own deadline date (must be before the final published turn-in deadline). After notifying 168, a verse will be assigned and the same 17-day time period will be scheduled: 10 days pre-production and 168 hours for production and post.  If you wish the custom schedule option, please contact us before registering.

Register your Student Speed Film Team 

Non-Speed Films

Non-Speed Film entrants do not have the rigid 168 hour (7x24) timeframe but have to meet all other criteria. Production can begin after fees are paid. A related Bible verse will be chosen by the producer (except Write of Passage, where the related verse is baked into the script).

The turn-in deadline and other turn-in requirements are the same as for the LAST GROUP of Speed Films (see Season Schedule.) Non-speeds can turn in early, after inserting provided Verse Assets. 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.

Multiple entries are allowed, separate purchase required for each film.

Write of Passage Spotlight Films [W]

Scripts for these films come from the Write of Passage Screenwriting Competition. Producers may license a script (no extra cost) from a Write of Passage screenplay and make a Write of Passage Spotlight film. These films compete in their own "Best Of" 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. Write of Passage films must be uploaded before the last speed film deadline.

Students may also license a Write of Passage script to make a Write of Passage Student Film in a speed film timeframe. (Please register as a Student Speed Film.)

TRT: 12-minutes or less

Register your Write of Passage Spotlight Team

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).

TRT: 12-minutes or less

Specific requirements:

• Production may start 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, documentary, animation, experimental, etc.
• Producers choose Foundational Verse and communicate it to 168 (must be declared prior to final Verse Assignment)
• Content rules apply
• Script must be licensed unless producer is the owner
• Film technical specs and versioning 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.

Register your Alumni Team

Documentary [D]

Documentaries are short films based on real-life events or personalities, or a teaching/expository film. Promotional or fundraising films for a ministry or church may be produced and entered in this category. Producers choose the foundational verse (preferably related to the annual theme) and send the verse to 168 before final Speed Film verse assignment. Pre-existing, archival or stock footage is allowed.

Docs may begin production as soon as fees are paid, and turn in date coincides with the final speed film turn-in for the season.

TRT: 7 min. or less

Register your Documentary Team

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

Register your KidVid Team

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

Register your Animation Team

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. It can be new and original or an existing project cut to fit the timeframe. Eligible only for Best Proof of Concept award.

TRT: 5-9-minutes, with credits. 

See details here.

Register your Proof of Concept Film

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.

BTS documentaries are due one week following Judging Version turn-in.

TRT: 3-minutes or less

Open Films

After the Production season has completed we may extend an invitation for producers to submit finished films, shorts or features, for exhibition at the 168 Film Festival. That call for entries will take place via FilmFreeway. To make sure you're aware of this opportunity, Join our Mailing List.