Today marks the deadline of submission of entries for the "School Stars" short film competition, organized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, in partnership with Doha Film Institute (DFI).

As part of the efforts of the Ministry in Qatar to explore new platforms for learning and ensure undisrupted access to quality education, the e-learning platforms  have provided students in Qatar with an opportunity to efficiently interact and exchange their learnings, with academic flexibility to achieve their best.

The children in Qatar have unlimited creative energy and potential. To channel this into something positive and allow them a form of productive expression, the local officials and the DFI are delighted to invite students of all ages to take part in the short film competition “School Stars”. A community wide initiative designed to hone the creativity and skills of our students. To participate, students must create a short film based on the theme that is selected from them each month by Doha Film Institute.

Theme: The Bright Side

Duration: 30 second to 60-second-long video

Submission dates: 7th April 2020 – 9th May 2020

A jury/independent juries will be formed by the Doha Film Institute to choose the best 2 films from each of the three age groups:

● The first category: 1st grade – 4th grade

● The second category: 5th grade – 8th grade

● The third category: 9th grade – 12th grade

Submitted films will be shown on the social media platforms of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and Doha Film Institute. Prizes will be awarded to winning films only.

Winners to also receive complimentary access to a DFI youth workshop and the opportunity to participate as an Ajyal Juror (age appropriate) for the annual cultural event’s next edition.

All submissions will be judged according to the following criteria:

1. The flow of the story and how it reflects the theme.

2. Quality of script structure

3. Cinematography & Production

4. Post-production

5. Use of original video content

The Jury reserves the right to disqualify any submission if it is inconsistent with the published competition rules.

To be considered eligible for this Competition, you need to agree to abide by the following procedures:

1. Shoot, edit and subtitle (where required) your film (the “Film”).

2. Get your parents’ approval and assistance to participate, and their consent on the terms and conditions.

3. To enter, please follow the application instructions, rules, and terms & conditions below.

Submission Rules:

1. To be a student in a public or private school in the State of Qatar

2. The participant should abide by the rules, customs and traditions of the State of Qatar.

3. Your film should summarize your creative interpretation of an item related to the above topic;

4. The length of the film should be between 30 seconds and 1 minute.

5. Your film can be presented in any language, but it must include the translation in one of two languages: Arabic and English (if your film is presented in Arabic or English, the translation is optional);

6. Parents can assist in filming, editing and filming the film.

7. Under the current circumstances, Filming should be done at home with family members only for the safety of all

8. Avoid shooting brand names, pictures or trademarks in your Film;

9. Your Film must not have been uploaded online or on social media or other public platforms prior to and following submission (if your film did not win, you may of course upload then)

10. Your film must not have participated in any prior film festivals and/or competitions;

11. The jury is allowed to decide to exclude any of the submitted films if they contradict the mentioned rules.

12. The decisions of the judging committee are final, and it is not permissible to object or (challenge).

13. The film file sent is named after the person’s first and last name (in English).

14. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education and its assistants have the right to use the winning films while preserving the intellectual property of the submitter.

To know about the complete terms and conditions of the short film competition, click here.