General Categories

Best Picture of the Year

All work nominated in the 12 other categories will be eligible for the Best Picture award. The panel of judges will choose the winner.

Viewer’s Choice Award

All work nominated in the 12 other student categories will be eligible for the Viewer’s Choice award. Students will be able to view the nominees and vote for the winner on this web site in March 2008.

Critics’ Choice Award

All nominated work will be eligible for the Critics' Choice award, to be selected by members of the Heights

Beginning Film and Video

Outstanding achievement for a film or video created by a student enrolled in “Filmmaking I” (FM171), “Television Field Production” (CO223), “Studio TV Production” (CO222), or “Digital Non-Linear Editing” (CO224/FM274) in 2007 or 2008.

Advanced Film and Video

Outstanding achievement for a film or video created by a student enrolled in “Filmmaking II” (FM273) or “Advanced Video Production” (CO400) in 2007 or 2008.

Best Work by a Nonmajor

Outstanding achievement for a film or video created by a student who is not majoring in film studies or communication.

Cinematography

Outstanding achievement in lighting/exposure, framing and composition, and camera movement (camera movement is not required, but if it is used, technique will be judged based on how well it contributes to the narrative).

Editing

Outstanding achievement in scene and story construction based on shot selection, transition between shots and scenes, and the use of editing techniques to support a narrative.

Best Actor

Outstanding achievement by an actor (male or female) in a leading or supporting role in a fiction film.

Sound

Outstanding achievement in the construction and integration of sound effects, sound mix, and use of sound techniques to support a narrative.

Screenwriting

Outstanding achievement in cinematic storytelling, demonstrating an understanding of story construction for a visual medium.

Genre categories

In addition, general excellence awards will be given in the following four genre categories. Students may enter a film in a genre category, if appropriate.

Drama

Outstanding achievement in a drama.

Documentary

Outstanding achievement in a documentary.

Comedy

Outstanding achievement in a comedy.