Submission Criteria
Submissions for the 2024 Robinson Competition are open!
Film Pittsburgh presents the The Robinson International Short Film Competition — a contest that spotlights and awards filmmakers whose work illuminates the Jewish experience. The competition is open to all filmmakers regardless of religion, race, or sexual orientation. All content must contain an essence of Jewishness as represented by theme, history, or culture.
The Robinson International Short Film Competition was created in 2012 to honor the legacy or Sanford N. Robinson, Sr. This unique competition helps to further the careers of the winning filmmakers by awarding significant monetary prizes and offering exposure for their films.
Awards & Prizes
Three films are selected to share the $18,000 cash prize as determined by our jury.
Up to ten films will be selected for screening at the Awards Gala. A total of $18,000 will be shared by the top three winning films as determined by our jury. The winning films will be announced immediately following the screening.
Finalists will be notified of their selection and all finalists are invited to attend. All finalist films will be shown. By submitting your film you give Film Pittsburgh the right to exhibit your film at the Robinson Awards Gala even if it is not a prize winner. The three prize winners will be flown to Pittsburgh for the Awards Gala.
CRITERIA
The Robinson International Short Film Competition is open to any and all independent filmmakers, including college and graduate level film students, as well as professionals in the field. Eligible films must adhere to the following criteria:
• Must be a Pittsburgh premiere (no prior public Pittsburgh screenings or TV broadcasts)
• Must be completed in 2022 or later
• Foreign language films must have English subtitles
• Length: thirty-five (35) minutes or less
Acceptable genres include narrative, documentary or animated films. Submissions must contain an essence of Jewishness as represented by theme, history or culture.
Entry Format
Please submit online via FilmFreeway. Vimeo links are strongly preferred.
Entrants may submit more than one film. Each entry requires a separate entry form and fee.
All submitted films are previewed by the Film Pittsburgh staff. Semi-finalists' films will be viewed by the compeition's jurors.
Entry Form
The following info is needed to complete the entry form:
• Film synopsis (50 word maximum)
• Country of origin
• Language(s) spoken in film
• Type of film (narrative, doc or animated)
• Length of film
• Screening and broadcast history
• Honors and awards
• Filmmaker’s contact information
• Biography (100 word maximum)
• Personal statement (100 word maximum)
Entry Fees
For films under 15 minutes:
• By October 31 (Early deadline): $25
• By November 28 (Regular deadline): $35
• By December 22 (Late deadline): $45
For films between 15 - 35 minutes:
• By October 31 (Early deadline): $30
• By November 28 (Regular deadline): $40
• By December 22 (Late deadline): $50
Entries are due by December 22, 2023.
Notification
Finalists will be notified in April 2024 of their selection.
Production Deliverables for Finalists
Preferred format: ProResHQ 422 QuickTime File
Also acceptable:
H264 QuickTime File (must be a maximum quality - 30mb/s or higher)
MP4 (must be a maximum quality MP4 - 30mb/s or higher)
- 1920 x 1080 Pixels
- 24 Frames Per Second (23.98fps is also accepted)
- 5.1 Audio (Stereo is acceptable if no 5.1 exists)
The above-mentioned specs are the preferred deliverable. If your project settings do not match, a master quality file of your project in its native framerate and resolution is acceptable.
Questions?
Terms and Conditions
Film Pittsburgh is not responsible for late, lost, damaged or ineligible entries. Entrants will retain all ownership rights to their submitted films. By entering this competition, the entrant certifies that they have the legal right to submit and exhibit the film. The applicant is responsible and liable for any breach of rights or the law in the submission and exhibition process. By submitting your film you give Film Pittsburgh the right to exhibit your film at the Robinson Awards Gala even if it is not a prize winner. Prize winners may be required to sign an affidavit confirming that their short film is original and that he/she holds all rights. Affidavits of winners under 18 years of age at time of award must be countersigned by parent or legal guardian. All federal, state, and local taxes, and customs fees, when applicable, are the sole responsibility of the winners. The undersigned assumes responsibility to ensure the submission payment information is complete and correct and agrees to reimburse Film Pittsburgh for any additional fees incurred by incorrect submission payments, submission disputes, and credit card chargebacks. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Film Pittsburgh for any and all fees, claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving submission payment disputes, copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the content submitted and/or screened. By entering the competition, the entrant grants the right to publish or transmit portions of the film for the purpose of press or promotion, unless otherwise noted. Additionally, entry constitutes permission to use winners’ name, likeness, and voice for advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation. Void where prohibited.