​Welcome judges, programming team, and screeners!

By participating, you hereby agree to keep all information regarding the films, the ratings, flags, status, scores, recommendations, notes, and comments by yourself and other judges, committee decisions, etc. CONFIDENTIAL.

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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT DATES:

• First 5 (Summer Early Bird Winners): Monday, July 20th, 2026

• Second 5 (Fall Early Bird Winners): Monday, September 21st, 2026

• Third 5 (Winter Early Bird Winners): Monday, November 16th, 2026

• Regular Deadline Selections: Monday, December 30th, 2026

• Final Selections and All Considerations Announced: Monday, January 25th, 2027

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General Guidelines for rating films

• Select ANY project you wish to watch based on your own preference 

• Please watch the project(s) in full before giving feedback

• Be constructive, candid, yet professional

• Have fun and enjoy the process

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FILM FREEWAY 1-5 SCALE

        5 = Excellent!

        4 = Above Average / Impressive

        3 = Average / Satisfactory / Unsure

        2 = Below Average / Needs work

        1 = Poor / Not good

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ORIGINALITY / CREATIVITY

Does it offer a fresh perspective, unique concept, or an inventive previously unseen approach?

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DIRECTION / THEME EXECUTION

Is the director’s vision clear and effectively accomplished? Does the overall tone feel cohesive? How well do you understand the theme(s)?

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WRITING / DIALOGUE
Is the script strong? Does the dialogue feel natural or compelling?

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CINEMATOGRAPHY
How does the film look visually? Are the composition, lighting, and camera movement purposeful and engaging?

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PERFORMANCES
Are the actors/characters convincing in their roles? Do the performances draw you in?

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PRODUCTION VALUE
How professional does the film look on the screen? Consider sets, costumes, props, technical execution, and credit placements.

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PACING / EDITING
Is the film well-paced? Does the editing flow smoothly and keep you engaged?

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STRUCTURE / STORY ARC
Does the film follow a clear structural arc? Is the beginning, middle, and end satisfying or well-developed?

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SOUND QUALITY + MUSIC
Is the audio clean and levels well-mixed? Is music, foley, and sound effects used effectively to support mood?

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MARKETABILITY / AUDIENCE APPEAL
Does this film have potential to reach and resonate with our public audience?

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EMOTIONAL CONNECTION
Did the film move you emotionally or leave a lasting impression?​

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OVERALL RATING

You can ignore this box or use it instead of category scoring (it will override category scores).

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SELECTION RECOMMENDATIONS:

SELECT: 

"Pass"

"Recommend"

"Award Worthy"

"Maybe?"

+ you can add "Ambivalent" if you really have no preference / consideration

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Final Tips

• Consider reading the overview, synopsis, director biography, statements, and technical specs—I find it very helpful to know if this is a first time director, student film, experimental, and if the filmmaker is excited to attend in person should they be selected

• Include a constructive written comment or programming note that other screeners might find useful

• Do your best to put aside your personal tastes, have an open mind and judge the films' technical and professional executions, and worthiness to be publicly presented

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SCRIPTS / SCREENPLAY CATEGORIES

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Concept / Originality
Is the story idea fresh, creative, or thought-provoking?

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Structure
Does the screenplay follow a clear three-act (or intentional alternative) structure that supports the story?

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Plot
Is the sequence of events engaging, coherent, and well-developed?

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Pacing
Does the story move at an appropriate rhythm, holding interest throughout?

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Characters
Are the characters multidimensional, believable, and compelling?

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Dialogue
Is the dialogue natural, purposeful, and reflective of character voice?

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Theme / Message
Does the screenplay convey a meaningful message or theme with clarity and depth?

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Technical Proficiency
Is the script professionally formatted, free of distracting grammar or spelling errors?

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Marketability / Audience Appeal
Does the script have commercial or festival potential, and would it resonate with an audience?

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Visual Imagery / Description
Do the scene descriptions paint a vivid picture and support cinematic storytelling?

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Emotional Connection
Does the story evoke feeling or leave a lasting impression?

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Authenticity (AI vs. human)

Looking specifically for signs of AI authorship versus human-authored authenticity – score higher for human authenticity.