FAQs about the Michigan Student Film Festival

FAQs about the Michigan Student Film Festival

Q. What is the festival?

Recognized by the American Film Institute as the longest-running K-12 student film festival in the nation, the Michigan Student Film Festival was founded by the non-profit DAFT (Digital Arts, Film and Television) as a showcase for Michigan students to demonstrate their skills and to network with one another and industry professionals. Admission is free and will take place once again at the DIA’s Detroit Film Theater. You can learn more about the history of DAFT at this link.

Q. How are the entries judged?

In Round 1, 50-70 volunteer judges review entries online (5 minutes max, which is why we ask entrants to let us know where to cue it up). After each viewing, every judge completes a detailed review form which will be returned to the students—rarely done in film festivals! DAFT attempts to have at least 3-4 review each entry.

Then the room leaders facilitates a recommendation for one of the following levels of recognition: Merit, Honor, Excellence.

Round 2 happens in-person as 20-25 judges review the top Excellence level nominees to determine the Best of Show selections to be screened at the festival at the DIA's Detroit Film Theatre.

Q. What does “Best of Show” mean?

This signifies the best of the best work done by students who enter the Festival. Only entries judged as Best of Show will be shown on the big screen at the DIA’s Detroit Film Theatre on the day of the festival.

Q.  What about music or images that may be subject to copyright?

To be eligible for the top Best of Show recognition, we require all entrants to only use outside music/images with permission. On our website, we have a handy list of royalty free music. We also have our copyright policies listed on our website at this link—including our discussion with a copyright attorney. No money is made or charged for online or theatre display of student videos for the festival.

Q. Are individual categories awarded?

While each video is judged on its own merit, the categories indicated on the entry form upon entering a video is used on our judging day to distribute the hundreds of videos between rooms.

Categories include:

• Animation (2 categories)
• Documentary ($500 cash prize)
• Music Video
• Narrative Film ($500 cash prize)
• News/Sports Magazine Program (2 categories)
• Other/Experimental
• Partnership Projects - Students work without adult/outside organizations
• Public Service Announcement

The Festival awards special prizes for the best of each of our main categories with a separate trophy and small gift.

Q.  If we can’t make it to the DIA for the festival what happens?

You're welcome to join our live-stream on our home page at www.daftonline.org--where the ceremonies will remain throughout the next year. All written feedback from our judges will be returned via emailed PDFs to the teachers. If you're unable to be there to collect a prize, Festival staff will send it to you. But we would love to see you there!

Q. What happens on the day of the actual Festival?

In the morning following our keynote speaker’s brief address, the Best of Show reel produced by K-8th grade awardees will be shown in the beautiful Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The award ceremony follows with certificates and trophies given to those in students in attendance.

The senior Best of Show reel (grades 9-12) follows with the same ceremony.

All events will end by 3 pm.

Q. Where does the $12 entry fee go?

The Festival is a year round activity that requires hours of volunteer and paid staff work. Entry fees go toward the festival afterglow, prizes—including trophies for Best of Show. Other costs including supplies, printing, web-server space, and food for three statewide judging days.

Other questions? Feel free to contact us at areyoudaft@hotmail.com.