DAFT Festival Judging 101

Thanks for generously donating your time and expertise for the Michigan Student Film Festival. DAFT is very proud of the detailed feedback that students and instructors receive from our judging panels--something very unique in any film festival, but especially valuable in the longest running student film festival in the nation, according to the American Film Institute.

Not only do the students receive some excellent tips and recognition, they can chart the way for future improvement in their work--and their instructors can often craft their curricula accordingly as well.

Genre Judging: We've given our judges the option this year to select their top 4 preferred genres of judging (e.g. narrative films, PSAs, music videos, etc.) If this interests you, please complete a quick survey at this link and we'll see what we can do! If you're up for a potpourri of videos like we've done in the past, no need to respond.

Scroll Down for Helpful Videos: If you're new to judging, check out the 3 short walk-throughs of assessing entries for Merit, Honor, Excellence and Best of Show qualities.

Award Levels:

DAFT has three primary award levels:

- Merit
- Honor
- Excellence

From the Excellence level entries, we choose the Best of Show selections that will be shown at the DIA during the festival. Key students involved in these videos will be invited onstage, and their names read as they're presented with their trophies and certificates.

Important Holistic Notes:

As you prepare to offer feedback, we like to remind judges of a few important things, mainly dealing with empathy and support:

- Limited Resources: Schools/Programs are often on a shoestring budget--if any budget at all.
- They're Just Starting Out: These are submissions from students who are often creating their first productions.
- Stay Positive: Words matter, so please be specific and encouraging at all times--particulary in areas of recommended improvement.

Part 1 - Open Your Judging Form

Follow the link sent in your email to get to your assigned Judging Form.

1. Enter your name and (optional) occupation.

2. Click on the "Select Video..." pull-down and choose an entry # to judge (4 digits)

In this case, you're judging the first item #2561--and you'll start watching it where noted at 16:45 per the request of the submitter. Students are notified that only 5 minutes of an entry will be viewed in this first round.