Tie Up Loose Ends Competition Rules

2022 Tie Up Loose Ends Short Film Competition NOW NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS.

The MIFF, in cooperation with The Screenwriters of Brevard, is now accepting submissions for the 7th Annual Tie Up Loose Ends Competition. See the rules and regulations below and send your submission(s) to Eric Emerick at esquared14@gmail.com by January 17th, 2022.

*Curious about how this contest works?  Examples of previous Tie Up Loose Ends submissions may be found HERE.

CONCEPT

Screenplays are requested for review by the Tie Up Loose Ends screening committee, the Screenwriters of Brevard (SoB).  These short screenplays shall have a “loose end” (no conclusion); the conclusion will be “tied up” (completed) by the film producer.  One screenplay will be selected by the screening committee and be made public by the MIFF to be produced by all filmmakers who wish to compete.

Each filmmaker shall interpret and produce the short project (five minutes or less) any way they wish, including creating their own unique ending.  All, or if too numerous, a selection of the best of the submissions will be shown at the MIFF.  Awards will be given in recognition of the best ending and best overall production.

Supporting organizations for the TULE competition are Florida Independent Filmmakers, Brevard Film & Talent, Women in Film & Television Florida, and the Screenwriters of Brevard (SoB).

COMPLETE COMPETITION RULES:

SCREENPLAY RULES and REQUIREMENTS

  • Must be in a screenplay format submitted to the SoB: Eric Emerick at esquared14@gmail.com.
  • Must be produceable on a minimal budget, require readily available props and locations, and be practical to shoot in a single day.
  • The production must be able to get a PG-13 or less restrictive rating.
  • The end of the production must be left open for each of the filmmakers to complete.
  • To allow the filmmaker enough time to create an ending, the length of the submitted screenplay must be less than 3.5 minutes, about 3½ pages; targeting 2½ minutes is ideal.
  • All screenplays must be submitted to the SoB by January 17 (early submissions are appreciated).
  • Tip: Screenplays, which offer the most possible AND interesting outcomes, will receive preferential judgement.
  • The SoB will select one screenplay and make it public on the MIFF website.
  • Screenplays from previous years may be resubmitted.
  • Screenplays are reviewed by the SoB at a meeting near the end of January, which is open to the public and input from all is welcomed.
  • There is no cost to submit a screenplay.

SHORT FILM RULES and REQUIREMENTS

  • The selected screenplay will be announced and made public by the MIFF no later than February 5.
  • Following the MIFF release rules (available on the Film Freeway Rules & Guidelines section), any filmmaker may submit a short production based upon the provided screenplay and the filmmaker’s unique ending.
  • The completed production must be five minutes or less including credits.
  • The short film submission must be able to get a PG-13 or less restrictive rating.
  • The completed short film shall have the same title as the screenplay and will be judged based upon its adherence to the provided screenplay (minor variations are allowed), the added conclusion, overall creative and production quality.
  • Awards for the best overall production and best ending will be given at the MIFF.
  • Completed short films to the competition must be submitted to the MIFF by July 4 through Film Freeway  (same cost and closing date as any other short submission to the MIFF).
  • The screenplay writer and MIFF (with the MIFF’s provided logo) shall be credited in the production.

 RIGHTS AND COPYRIGHT

  • The screenplay writer shall retain the copyright for the provided screenplay and license it to the MIFF and each short film producer for use in this competition.
  • Each program producer shall retain all rights to their production and accept the MIFF release rules (available on the Film Freeway Rules & Guidelines section).
  • The individual program producers license their production for use by the screenplay writer for self-promotion, but not for profit, film festival submission, publication on the internet or other use without written permission from the production’s copyright holder.

Updated November 18, 2021