Judging Criteria

Films will be judged on the heart and vision of your story

The contest is about the passion of global voices coming together to share visions of a positive future. An essential factor is your relationship with the subjects of the categories. It isn’t important whether your film is made with a high definition camera or a camera phone – it is simply a matter of the heart of your story and what it represents for humanity. In July, the Grand Judges will screen the top 20 nominees on a scale of 1 to 10, based on each of the following criteria. From this, they will select the Possible Futures Award and the Pachamama Award:

Originality

A high score will be given to a film that is original, that has beautiful imagery, and is complemented with creative touches. The judges will ask themselves:

• If special effects were used, even in the most basic form, are they innovative and well executed?
• Does the wardrobe or costumes in the film help express the story being told?
• Does the theme of the story have a sense of originality and richness to it?
• Did the piece communicate a visual experience and possibly even take my breath away?

Artistic Merit

A high score will be given for a film that is rich in complexity and dramatic impact. The judges will be asked:

• Does this film move you?
• Does the film elicit an emotional response, whether it be tears or laughter?
• Does the film draw you in?
• Does the film appeal to and touch you in ways that other films just don’t?

Content

Content is not just text, but music, sound and animation — anything that communicates a vision along with a body of knowledge for the categories. Good content should be engaging, relevant and appropriate for the audience. Your messaging should be clear and concise. The Grand Judges will consider these points:

• Did this film create good content, taking a stand?
• Did the work have a voice, a solution driven point of view?
• Was this work, informative, giving solutions, not simply complaints?
• Did this film leave you wanting more or wanting to screen it again?
• Was the dialogue, or voiceover, dynamic and speaking to the heart of the category?

Technical Validity

A higher score will be given to the film that has good composition and exposure with few technical errors. Good visual design is high quality, appropriate and relevant for the audience and the message it’s supporting.

• Did this film have good color or black and white quality with a sharpness to it?
• Is the contest tag and title at the beginning of the film?
• If the film is animation or claymation, were there smooth transitions and timing?
• Does the work look like a movie, not a slide show?
• While a cell phone or Flip camera might have been used, was the piece composed well?

Overall Experience

The overall experience encompasses compelling content and includes tangibles that make one stay or leave that story for the possible future. Judges will be asking these questions as they screen your films:

• Did this piece affect you positively?
• Did the piece elicit an inspirational emotional response?
• What is your overall impression?
• What was your enjoyment factor?
• Was it full of meaningfulness?
• What is the replay value?