ABOUT US

The CFC was founded in 2012 by Joe Gressis, a filmmaker based in Los Angeles. An idea came to him one afternoon as he spoke with a friend about a string of local seminars designed to inspire young filmmakers. As they discussed ways to foster industry relationships, he proposed a hypothesis: The best way to get filmmakers to work together… is to have them actually work together. It’s an admittedly simple idea, but one that seemed conspicuously absent from the filmmaking landscape. She countered with an idea of her own: “Come up with a good plan and I’ll help you get it off the ground.” Joe went straight to work and so began the creative experiment of the Collaboration Filmmakers Challenge. Since then, the CFC has successfully inspired and connected talented filmmakers every year. In 2023 the CFC became part of the Moving Picture Institute's Rising Filmmaker Program, further enhancing and elevating the CFC experience.

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RULES

• Films must be 3:00 - 6:30 minutes in length, including credits.
  
  
• The Collaboration Rule: In order to be eligible for prizes, contestants entered as “Filmmakers” must assist at least one other filmmaker on his or her film, and receive assistance from at least one other contestant – not including the filmmaker he or she assisted – on his or her own film. Each “Filmmaker” must work with at least two people in total. Each “Collaborator” entrant must work with at least one person in total. Otherwise, filmmakers may work with anyone they choose, inside or outside of the competition. If you need assistance finding a collaborator, contact the CFC organizers at [email protected].
  
  
• All films need to be completely original to the CFC and include either the CFC logo or the words “Created for the MPI Collaboration Filmmakers Challenge” in the credits.
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• You must complete our collaboration questions (also on our online platform) to be eligible for prizes. This is where you are able to indicate who contributed the most to your film. That filmmaker will receive a bonus to their Collaboration Point total, and, should your film win the Jury Award, $1,000 in prize money.

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