DANA POINT, Calif -- The Bentonville Film Festival (BFF), in collaboration with espnW, announced a new digital filmmaking competition called "10 Brands, 10 Stories," Thursday at the sixth annual espnW: Women + Sports Summit. The competition invites filmmakers to create family-friendly digital shorts based around the brand briefs for 10 supporting partners of the film festival, whose mission champions women and diversity in filmmaking.
In announcing the program, Wanda Young, vice president of media, digital and partnership marketing for presenting sponsor Walmart said, "those films will seek to inspire the athlete in all of us."
The top 100 short films (10 per brand) will be selected for screening before the BFF jury. Ten short films (one per brand) will be chosen as winners and invited to screen at the Bentonville Film Festival in Bentonville, Arkansas, May 3-8, 2016. Winning films will stream on espnW.com, and on BFF and the associate brand's social media channels.
"When Geena Davis and I first launched the BFF initiative, we were both blown away by the amazing programs our sponsors have in support of women and diversity," said BFF co-founder Trevor Drinkwater. "Partnering with espnW was the perfect choice for us as they are the leader in profiling and inspiring great women."
All BFF films must feature female or minority leads, a woman or minority director, writer or production company, and a gender and diversity balanced cast and crew.
Filmmakers may enter the 10 Brands 10 Stories Short Film Competition beginning on Nov. 2, 2015. Entries will be accepted through Jan. 4, 2016. Films must be a minimum of two minutes and a maximum of five minutes in length, and should portray the filmmaker's interpretation of athleticism and perseverance, while including integration of the essence of the chosen brand.
"Ultimately, each film seeks to inspire the athlete in all of us," Drinkwater said.
For full details about the submission process and access to brand brief guidelines, visit www.Bentonvillefilmfestival.com.