Media Festival Rules and Entry Process

This year's MCA-I Media Festival will coincide with the annual MCA-I ProTrack Conference to be held in the fall of 2008.

You may use the Online Entry Form to enter your best work - MCA-I Media Festival Entry Form. Or you may use the PDF Entry Form

Eligibility

Programs entered in the festival must be produced by a media communications professional or by a production company.

• Entrants must own and/or have clearance for all visual and audio elements (including music) in the program.
• All entries on behalf of a client must be submitted with written authorization from the client.
• Each program from a series is considered a separate entry.
• Entries which have advanced to Blue Ribbon Panels of prior festivals are not eligible.
• Entries are not limited to programs produced in the previous calendar year.
• Entries may have been created on any media and presented live or for playback on any media including the Internet. Program entries must be submitted on CD-ROM or DVD and will not be returned. Web entries must submit the URL. Do not send a master or your only copy. 
• Entries with an audio track other than English must be accompanied by some form of English translation.

A single program or project may be entered in only one program category. However, the same individual or company may enter multiple programs in various program categories. And, a single entry may be entered into a program category and the editing craft category. However, separate applications (including fees) are necessary. Select from the following categories and please state the exhibition or distribution medium of your entry (video tape, CD-ROM/DVD, or a Web application).

General Categories

• Budget Production - Includes programs in any category produced for less than $1,000 per finished minute. In calculating production costs, in-house corporate productions must include all department burden rates relating to salaries, studio space and equipment. Programs using volunteer or donated labor, equipment and/or studio space must accurately reflect “real costs” normally associated with these resources. Documentation may be required.
• External Communications– Includes programs designed to present information to a company’s or organization’s external audiences. Examples include community service programs, image presentations, position statements, issues discussions, etc.
• Internal Communications - Includes programs designed to present information to an organization’s internal audiences. Examples include orientation programs, customer service presentations and meeting openers.
• Organizational News - Limited to an entire program from a regularly produced company news or magazine format series. Individual stories, features or segments which make up only part of the program will not be considered.
• Public Service Announcement (PSA) - Includes a single PSA, up to 60 seconds in length. The PSA must have been produced for a nonprofit organization or government agency. Each PSA in a series must be entered as a separate entry.
• Sales and Marketing - Includes programs that urge viewers to take a specific action such as purchasing a new product or service or accepting a new concept or idea. Examples are new product introductions, point of purchase videos, sales meeting presentations, product demonstrations and programs which urge signing up for a cause or donating money.
• Training/Educational - Includes programs that help viewers to learn a skill. Successful entries will create the desired change in performance or behavior. Examples are programs that teach office procedures, interpersonal management and supervisory skills, technical skills and knowledge, crafts and other specialized procedures.
• Short Films - Includes short documentaries and feature films (less than 20 minutes) intended for educational course requirements, festival competitions or general distribution. Entry must state amount of budget, number of crew and type of equipment used. Category is open to Media Professionals as well as Students.

• Editing Craft Category -This category salutes and recognizes professional editors. Programs will be evaluated on how creatively and effectively the editing helps the audience focus on the message and achieves desired results. Again, you may enter a single entry into a program category and this craft category. However, separate applications (and fees) are necessary.
• Writing Category - Entries in this category are judged solely on the effectiveness, creativity and clarity of the program's script, however, the script must be accompanied by a copy of the finished program on VHS, CD-ROM or DVD.
• Graphics/Animation - These entries are judged by the quality, originality and effectiveness of the graphics (backgrounds, supers, etc.) and/or animation (ie. modeled vehicles, characters, architecture, robotics, etc.) incorporated into the program. Entriesshould demonstrate artistry, creativity and effectiveness in supporting the program.
• Audio/Sound Design - This entry is judged solely on the sound design of the program (sound effects, voice over, music, etc.), specifically its quality, creativity, clarity, and effectiveness in the overall program.
• Interactive Programming - This entry is judged on the overall effectiveness of the programming on an interactive project; including its eas of navigation, style cues and use of graphics to guide the user through the interactive session. Must be submitted on CD-ROM or DVD-R, with URL listed on label (if applicable).

This category salutes and recognizes students - the future of our business. Includes programs produced as a class assignment and projects done for submission to a contest by full time students. The entrant must be the student(s) in charge of the production. Each entry must include a letter of eligibility from the faculty advisor on the school's letterhead. Faculty members may only serve in an advisory capacity on student productions. Projects produced for a company or organization by a student intern will not be accepted in the category. Work must have been produced by a student while attending a college or univeristy. Verification of eligibility will include a photocopy of enrollment record during the semester the work was produced. Programs will be evaluated on creativity, technical excellence and effective communication of the message.

Each entry is reviewed by a team of professional communicators with a minimum of 10 years of media production experience. This Blue Ribbon Panel is composed of members who have served on recognition panels, and have won awards in the past. (Read Article about the 2007 judging process.)

Entries are evaluated on effective use of the medium, creativity, production values and technical quality in three areas:

• Message Design (48%)
• Creative Elements (32%)
• Production Elements (20%)

If your program is 20 minutes or longer, you may select a five-minute continuous segment which you feel is most representative of your work. When you submit your entry, put the five-minute segment at the HEAD of the presentation, followed by the entire program. CD-ROM/DVD and Web applications will be reviewed in their entirety.

"On behalf of myself and my organization, I (a) authorize MCA-I to view, publicly display and loan our program, unless otherwise indicated below; (b) warrant that I/we own or hold sufficient rights to the program and its contents to permit MCA-I to lawfully use the program in the foregoing manner; and (c) will indemnify, defend and hold MCA-I, its officers, employees, members, directors and agents harmless from any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including without limitation attorneys’ fees) arising out of MCA-I use of program."

Media Festival Online Entry Form >>>

Media Festival PDF Entry Form >>>