1. The contest is PG-13 (video & audio). Subtitles and watermarks will result in disqualification. Video length must be between 30 seconds and 6 minutes.
2. Your video must have been completed in the last 2 years. Videos submitted to previous ConnectiCon FMV Contests are ineligible to compete. ConnectiCon does not have an "anti-trolling" policy.
1. Accepted Formats
2. You may submit three videos to the contest.
1. Explanations of the 6 Categories
2. Explanations of the 4 "Technical Categories" (aka Judged Awards)
3. Audience Choice Voting system & Prizes
As a multi-genre convention, Connecticon's FMV contest allows footage from many different genres. Please see the list below to determine if your video would be acceptable for our contest…
(The list below is just to give you an idea, it is by no means an all-encompassing list. Feel free to contact me using the link above with questions regarding the acceptability of your footage - the general rule of thumb is, if you think the ConnectiCon audience would like it, we'll probably accept it.)
Anime
Def: Any animation originating in Japan.
AstroBoy, Speed Racer, Dragon Ball Z, Attack on Titan, Cowboy Bebop, Fullmetal Alchemist, Bleach, Naruto, etc….
Live-Action Anime / Japanese Cinema Please note that live action anime movies need not originate in Japan, such as Speed Racer, Astro Boy or (god forbid) Dragonball Evolution.
Speed Racer, Death Note, Azumi, Ringu, Ju-On, Versus, etc....
Other Animation
Def: Animation originating anywhere but Japan - but please keep in mind that cartoons aimed at younger audiences, such as SpongeBob Squarepants, may be disqualified if they are deemed by the judging staff to hold no relevance or interest for the convention attendees.
Avatar: The Last Airbender, Justice League, Batman, Teen Titans, Thundercats, Transformers, He-Man, Freakazoid, Futurama, etc…
Video Games
Any Final Fantasy; Kingdom Hearts, CoM; Legend of Zelda; World of Warcraft, (please see limitations on online games in the FAQ); Left 4 Dead, Team Fortress, Resident Evil, Skyrim, Fallout, etc....
SciFi
Def: a form of fiction that draws imaginatively on scientific knowledge and speculation in its plot, setting, theme, etc.
Star Wars, Star Trek, Firefly, The Fifth Element, Dune, Lost, Stargate, The X-Files, MCU, DCEU, etc…
Fantasy
Def: an imaginative or fanciful work, esp. one dealing with supernatural or unnatural events or characters; or set in a different or alternative world
Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Legend, The Princess Bride, Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, A Game of Thrones, etc…
Horror *PLEASE NOTE the PG-13 rating of this contest. We realize this will be very limiting in an attempt to create a horror video, but try to keep the gore to an acceptable level or you risk being disqualified.
Def: a genre of fiction intended to scare, unsettle and horrify the audience.
28 Days Later, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Army of Darkness, The Grudge, The Ring, Halloween, Chucky, Nightmare on Elm St., Sweeney Todd, etc…
Kung Fu / Martial Arts
Enter the Dragon, Legend of Drunken Master, Iron Monkey, etc....
Comic Book Adaptations: TV or Film
V for Vendetta, Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, Superman, Thor, Watchmen, HellBoy, etc…
Comic Books / Manga *PLEASE NOTE the limitations on still images in the FAQ.
Def: a magazine made up of narrative artwork, often accompanied by dialog (usually in word balloons, emblematic of the comic book artform) and often including brief descriptive prose.
Fairy Tale, Green Lantern Corps, InuYasha, The Amazing Spider-man, etc…..
Webcomics *PLEASE NOTE the limitations on still images in the FAQ.
Def: comics published on a website, often exclusively, providing easy access to an audience, though some are published in books and newspapers but maintain a web archive.
Ctrl Alt Del, 8-Bit Theater, Star Power, Sinfest, Diesel Sweeties, etc…
Other
Video footage which doesn't really belong in any of the above categories, but which would be acceptable for this contest…
Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long-Blog, The Nightmare Before Christmas
Original Animation Original Animation (ie, a video comprised entirely of animation you drew yourself) is admissible to this contest. If deemed to be on a more "professional" level (ie, L33t Steet Boys, Monty Oum's "Dead Fantasy" Films) you may be asked to air your video in the non-competing category so as to not unbalance the contest.
Q: When's the deadline?
A. 11:59pm July 14th, 2022
Q: What are the prizes?
A: Winners of Technical Categories will receive an award certificate mailed by December 31st, 2022. Best in Show, and first place winners in each video category* will receive a trophy, and award certificate mailed by December 31.
*Upbeat/Fun and Comedy are judged together.
Q: How many videos can I submit?
A. Three
Q: You say that I can use webcomics and graphic novels, but in the rules it says no still images. What gives?
A: Motion can be applied to still images to wonderful effect.
Q: Can I submit a WoW (or any other MMORPG) video?
A: Yes. However, please note that status & action bars (HP indicators, spell sets, etc), macros, and name tags will count as watermarks and will result in your video being disqualified.
Q: Can I use live-action footage I filmed myself?
A: As long as it is only 25% of the video, and directly relates to a pre-established anime, tv show, movie, etc… (Example: Footage of someone cosplaying as Naruto dancing, or two of your friends having a lightsaber duel, would be acceptable. Footage of your Mom baking a cake, or your puppy playing with a chew toy, would not.)
Q: Can I use footage I animated myself?
A: Sure. However, if your video is deemed to be more "professional" (like Monty Oum's Dead Fantasy films, or the LeetStreet Boys), we may ask you if we can move it to the non-competing category, so as to not un-balance the rest of the contest.
Q: Can I use footage from ______?
A: Check the "Acceptable Footage" list. The general rule of thumb is, if you think that the convention audience will enjoy it, it should probably be ok. Most of our audience are anime, scifi, fantasy, webcomic, video game and comic book fans, so use your best judgment.
Q: For my audio, can I use spoken dialogue instead of music, like from an SNL skit?
A: "I'll take S words for 500, Alex." In all seriousness, only if it is less than 25% of the video. HOWEVER, if we receive a truly amazing video utilizing only dialogue, we may make an exception.
Q: Can I use fanart in my video?
A: If it is your own work, or you have the permission of the artist, yes. However, we recommend that you keep the usage of fanart to a minimum and remember the "no-still images" rule - if you include fanart, it must incorporate movement!
Q: Why are Fun/Upbeat and Other judged together but shown separately?
A: We judge these two categories as one because while we get excellent submissions for these two categories, we normally don't have enough to fill both fields.