24 SEPTEMBER 2024 PART OF
About the Festival
Who
Esports Insider (ESI) is a leading business media & events company, with an agency arm and the most comprehensive international esports industry-focused news site. Based in London & founded in 2016, ESI is the go-to for esports business. We are focused across three core pillars: Media | Events | Connect (Agency). We’ve been running events since 2017 and have done so in London, Manchester, New York City, Singapore, Cologne and elsewhere.
Overview & Introduction
The potential of video games and esports to make a meaningful, positive difference to people’s lives is enormous. There are countless anecdotal examples of this, and not enough of these stories are told & shared more widely. Film is one medium to help change that.
After a successful first edition hosted at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, London in 2023, we are taking the ESI Film Festival to Lisbon as part of our new flagship event ESI Lisbon.
Where and When
The ESI Film Festival will take place on the evening of 24th September in Lisbon at a very exciting venue soon to be announced.
The festival will see the winning short films played to a live audience from in and around the video games, esports and film industries, alongside some talks, drinks and food.
Duration
Any submission must have a maximum run time of 40 minutes. Entries can be in any style or film type (e.g. documentary, animation, comedy, action).
Participants
Submissions can be from individuals, groups (e.g. university societies, friends), or companies (e.g. esports teams, creative studios). All lead participants must be aged 18 or over.
Requirements & Rules
You’ll need to submit a trailer alongside the film. Trailers should be a minimum of 30 seconds in duration.
In order to be eligible for the Student category the film must have been produced by individuals or groups in education. Entries must be in HD.
Adult content will not be accepted and will lead to disqualification. Films in any language other than English must include subtitles in English. Due credit(s) must be given to the cast and crew, though the final prize(s) will be awarded to the appointed and named lead participant(s). Stills from any entries to be used in promotions. No films submitted previously to any edition of the ESI Film Festival will be accepted.
Recommended Specs
• Video Format: H.264, MPEG-4 preferred
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (letterboxed if necessary)
• Resolution: 1920x1080 preferred
• Audio Format: MP3 or AAC preferred
• Frames per second: 25
€6,000
Prize Pool
Film Award: First: €2,500 | Second: €1,500
Student Film Award: First: €1,500 | Second: €500
Categories and Awards
For our 2024 edition, the ESI Film Festival will have two categories, Film and Student Film. There will be one winner from each category. These will be announced on the night and decided by the jury.
Entry Submission
• There is no entry fee
• Deadline Wednesday 31st July 2024
• Please submit your film via this FORM
If you have any issues please email events@esportsinsider.com
• Your film must be submitted with a 30 second trailer
• Films can be submitted in the following ways
• Google Drive/Dropbox/Microsoft 360
• Wetransfer link
• YouTube/Vimeo downloadable link
• All films/folders must be labelled as follows: YourName_FilmName_
Agreement
By submitting the Submission (including the Trailer), you agree:
• Submission to ESIFF constitutes agreement to all rules, regulations and conditions contained in this document and your consent that your film be considered for any awards that may be given at the Festival.
• Not to withdraw your film from ESI Film Festival after it has been accepted by the ESIFF selection board.
• You have obtained all film and music rights and clearances (in accordance with UK and EU copyright laws).
• You, the named lead participant(s) bear full responsibility for any IP infringements and or any other damages claimed by third parties arising from the preparation of and or screening of the Submission.
Judging Criteria
Films will be judged on originality, creativity, plot, pacing, structure, characters, cinematography and entertainment value as well as on effectiveness of the message and the ability of the film maker to reach an audience.
When creating a film that carries a message, it is important that you have the ability or knowledge of how to get your message to your audience and that your film is of such a nature that audiences would WANT to see it.
Originality & Creativity
The uniqueness and originality of the premise or story.
Plot, Pacing & Structure
How the story unfolds, and the actions and events that propel the story forward. Does the film keep the audience engaged throughout?
Characters
Distinctive and memorable characters with compelling personalities.
Sound
High quality, engaging audio to help progress the story and heighten the film’s atmosphere.
Message Effectiveness
Does the film effectively depict a clear message? Have you recognisably portrayed one of this year’s themes?
Entertainment Value
Does the story keep the viewer’s attention? Is it engaging and/or thought provoking?
Cinematography
The quality of cinematography or videography demonstrated in the work.