Are you a student filmmaker? Watersprite Student Film Festival 2021 is now open for submissions! Watersprite is looking for the world’s best short films in fiction, documentary and animation.
Over the past eleven editions of the festival, Watersprite has received submissions from 100 countries across the world. The festival accepts films across the three genre categories of fiction, documentary and animation. The films may also be considered for 8 technical awards: Directing, Cinematography, Performance, Editing, Production Design and Sound Design, Original Film Music and Screenplay. There is also the Watersprite Social Impact Award: this is given to a film with a clear humanitarian subject matter that critically engages audiences, raises awareness about an issue and allows viewers to reflect on the importance and social impact of the topic that is presented.
For the 2021 edition of the festival, Watersprite is introducing two new prizes: The Creativity in Crisis Award and the Filmmakers of Colour Mentorship. The Creativity in Crisis Short Film Award, exclusive to Watersprite 2021, celebrates the most imaginative and compelling short films inspired by, and produced during, the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The Filmmakers of Colour Mentorship is for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) filmmakers and will be in addition to Watersprite’s existing Mentorships: the LGBTQ+ Mentorship and the Women + Non-Binary Mentorship.
All filmmakers nominated for a Watersprite award are offered a free travel and accommodation bursary to fly to Cambridge and experience all that the festival has to offer. Please note, travel bursaries this year will be dependent on the Covid-19 situation, but we will endeavour to provide all nominees with bursaries as usual.
If you still have questions, email awards@watersprite.org.uk