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The 10 Minute Challenge: A platform for new queer film talent

And we’re back! The Queer Film Festival Utrecht organizes this year already the third edition of ‘The 10 Minute Challenge’, a short film contest especially for starting (queer) filmmakers from Utrecht and surroundings! We want to stimulate beginning filmmakers to give more representation to the queer community in the film industry.

To support you in this, we have developed a program where you can participate in interesting master classes, get to know the film world and win fun and valuable prizes. The winning films will also be screened at the closing night of this edition of QFFU!

This year’s open call for applications is now closed! Thank you to everyone who submitted their short film idea. We are currently in the process of selecting the contestants. Keep an eye on your inbox for a response and follow us on social media for more information.

Questions?
Contact the 10 Minute Team at 10minute@qffu.nl .

Prizes

This year there are three categories with corresponding prizes!

  • Best Film: A trophy (Designed by a Utrecht queer artist), and a prize amount of €1,500.
  • Emerging Talent: A prize amount of €1,000
  • Audience Favorite: A special screening during the award ceremony and a future event of QFFU.

More prizes will be announced later.

Participation requirements

  1. The film lasts 10 minutes including credits, with a 1-minute slack.
  2. The film contributes to a queer inclusive film world, eg the creators are queer, the actors are queer or there is a queer perspective in the film.
  3. You are a starting filmmaker. By this we mean someone who has made or is going to make a (first) queer film and needs a stepping stone to enter the film world. All ages are welcome to apply! Whether you are young or old, if this contest is a motivation to make a (first) queer film, we cordially invite you to participate! The theme of QFFU 2024 is Reclaim the LGBTQIA+ community. Every generation is encouraged to participate in the competition.
  4. The film was made in 2023 or 2024, but has not been shown before. Even if the film is already (almost) finished, it may participate. It is only important that the film has not been shown before.
  5. Participants from previous years may reapply, but not with previously screened films.
PS: The film contest has no specific genre or theme you need to adhere to. Still want a little more guidance and direction? QFFU’s theme this year is: Reclaim !

The course of the contest

  • Submit your idea/script/scenario/synopsis (may be short and sweet) by Sunday 31 March 2024 using the submission form on this page. After your submission, you will receive a regular newsletter and updates on the progress of the competition. Of course, you can ask questions or seek guidance from the QFFU team at any time.
  • If there are too many applications, we are forced to make a selection based on your motivation and project plan.
  • After the application round, there will be an introductory meeting where participants can meet each other, get to know the Queer Film Festival Utrecht better and where we officially kick off the competition.
  • There will be two master classes during the film trajectory that will support the filmmakers in the making process. These master classes are optional, but will be so interesting that you won’t want to miss them! More information about the master classes will follow.
  • Your film must be submitted by Wednesday, July 31, 2024, by noon.
  • The films made will get their own proper premiere on 1 September during the Queer Film Festival Utrecht.
  • In the week from 2 September to 5 September, the public can watch the films online and judge them for the audience award.
  • At the end of the festival, the time has finally come: during a festive event, the winning films will be screened and the jury, together with the audience, will announce the winner at the end of the evening. So keep these dates free in your diary!
  • After the film festival, there will be a final master class looking at (possible) further steps in the film world. A real stepping stone for beginning filmmakers!

Juryleden

Hieronder stellen we jullie graag de juryleden voor!

Giani Kasanmonadi

Giani Kasanmonadi is an online and video editor at VPRO Dorst. He contributes to the talent development of new creators with the trajectory ‘VPRO Dorstlessers’, where six interdisciplinary creators get to work on new ideas. Giani also creates documentaries, video clips and social media content as a freelance videographer for names such as the OSCAM museum and Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Dominique Michelle Gimberg

Dominique Michelle Gimberg (1994) is a fiction film director and editor. They graduated with honors at the Hogeschool Voor de Kunsten Utrecht (HKU) with their short film Vlam (Spark). Vlam was premiered at the Nederlands Film Festival and got selected for Palm Springs International Film Festival. Dominique is a passionate visual storyteller. Whether it is a narrative film, commercial, music video or a fashion film. They find it exciting to work on different types of projects and put their own twist on them. Besides telling the story their goal is to let the viewer experience the film. Their work is easily recognized by the colourful, poetic, flashy, humorous, and fragmentary worlds they create. As a millennial, who borders on the Gen Z generation, they know better than anyone what is going on in their and among their generation. As a result, they speak the internet language and trends well. This is reflected in their work. Much of their work contains elements from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s.

Sandy Seifert

Sandy Seifert is a freelance programmer, writer and creative producer. She is currently a programmer for the special programs of the Netherlands Film Festival and creative producer at the Stichting Vrouwen in Beeld. She has also written essays and introductions for programs at Eye and Delft Fringe Festival and is starring in a play about abortion this year.


Apply!

Fill in the application form below to sign up for the 10-minute challenge.
You can sign up until Sunday, March 31, 2024!

FAQ & overige vragen

Zijn er dingen nog niet duidelijk? Kijk of je vraag beantwoord wordt bij de veelgestelde vragen (FAQ 10 minute challenge). Mocht je er dan nog niet uitkomen, neem gerust contact op met Team 10 minute via 10minute@qffu.nl!

De 10-minute challenge wordt mede mogelijk gemaakt door: