FAQ - HBO APA Visionaries

The Competition

What is the theme for the 2022 APA Visionaries Short Film Competition?

The theme for the 2022 APA Visionaries Short Film Competition is “Power of Love.” Films should center and portray ways in which Asian Pacific Americans perceive and show love in their relationships, friendships, or families.

Why should I submit my film to the HBO Max APA Visionaries Short Film Competition?

HBO Max is looking to provide emerging directors of Asian and/or Pacific Islander descent the opportunity to showcase their work to a global audience. In addition to cash prizes ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, winners will make their premiere at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival in May 2022 and be offered the opportunity to have their Film premiere on HBO platform(s) (including HBO Max).

Who is eligible to submit to the short film competition?

Filmmakers must be a resident of one of the 50 United States or Washington, D.C. and of Asian or Pacific Islander descent [i.e., descendants of the people of the Far East, Southeast Asia, Indian subcontinent or Pacific Islands (e.g., China, India, Japan, Korea, the Philippine Islands and Samoa)]. In addition, the Director (and Co-Director, if applicable) must be at least 18 years of age and of legal age of majority in their state of residence (19 or older in AL and NE, 21 or older in MS and 18 or older in all other States/DC) as of March 1, 2022.

How many films will be selected as winners?

Three films will be selected to make their premiere on HBO platform(s) including HBO Max, as well as at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival in May 2022.

What are the prizes for the top three winning films?

The submission selected as first place will win a cash prize of $5,000. The second place selection will win a cash prize of $2,000. And the third place cash prize is $1,000. In addition, winners will have the opportunity to have their Film premiere on HBO platform(s) (including HBO Max) in 2022. Prizes include a 2-day/1-night trip to Los Angeles, California in May 2022 for the winner and one guest to attend the 2022 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, where the winner's Film will premiere and the winner will receive an HBO Max Visionaries award. The trip includes hotel accommodations for 1 night (1 room, double occupancy) and round-trip coach air transportation from gateway airport nearest winner’s home.

Where can I see complete details about the short film competition?

See the Official Rules for details.

Judging

Who are the judges?

Submissions will be judged by HBO executives and a panel of industry experts.

How will my work be evaluated?

The judges will evaluate the submissions based on the following five (5) criteria, each of which will be equally weighted:

1. Story and plot

The film should maintain an engaging pace, clear structure and dialogue that reveals multi-layered characters.

2. Technical merit and production value

The film should be well-composed and of cinematic quality, with special attention paid to lighting, color and sound.

3. Acting performances

The actors should engage audiences in delivery of dialogue and properly express character individuality.

4. Creativity and originality

The film should present a unique, fresh perspective on the APA narrative, in an imaginative way.

5. Theme

The film should provide a unique interpretation of the theme “Power of Love.” Films should center and portray ways in which Asian Pacific Americans perceive and show love in their relationships, friendships, or families.

Film Submissions

When is the submissions period?

Submissions open January 18, 2022 (9:00 AM PST) and will be accepted until March 1, 2022 (11:59 PM PST).

How do I submit my film to the competition?

We are accepting submissions through FilmFreeway. An acknowledgment of the Official Short Film Rules and Official Short Film Competition Release is required to be entered into the Competition.

When is the submission deadline?

Submissions must be received by March 1, 2022 (11:59 PM PST).

Is there a submission fee?

There is no submission fee.

Can I submit multiple films?

At this time, we are only accepting one submission per director.

Can I submit a film that is a work-in-progress?

At this time, only completed films will be considered.

Can I submit a film that has already been exhibited elsewhere?

Films must not have had any previous exhibition on broadcast or cable (by means of any method or medium) or online.

When will I be notified if my film is selected?

Directors will be notified of selection on or about April 15, 2022.

Where will my film be shown?

Three films will be selected to make their premiere at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival in May 2022 and be offered the opportunity to have their Film premiere on HBO platform(s) (including HBO Max).

Will my film be in consideration for LAAPFF?

Only the top three winning films will premiere at the 2022 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Submitting your film to the Competition does not mean you are automatically considered for the Festival. If you are interested in having your film considered for the 2022 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, please click here.

Can I submit a film with a co-director?

Film submissions may have up to one co-director recognized. The co-director must meet the same eligibility requirements as the director.

Technical

How long does my film have to be?

Running time (inclusive of credits): 10-15 minutes. Film must be a minimum of 10 minutes in length; submissions shorter than 10 minutes in length will be disqualified. Films must be a maximum of 15 minutes in length (inclusive of title sequence and closing credits); if a submission is longer than 15 minutes in length, only the first 15 minutes of the Film will be judged. Videos longer than 17 minutes will be disqualified.

What is the required format for submission?

Videos must be recorded in 16:9 aspect ratio with a minimum resolution of 720p and be encoded in h264 Quicktime MOV format. Potential Winners will be contacted by email with instructions to submit a higher quality version of the Film for festival and broadcast premieres [D-Cinema (DCP, NTSC only) as an .MOV file, conforming to Apple ProRes 422 HQ (1920 x 1080 24p 48kHz)] which must be received by 11:59 PM PST on April 24, 2022.

Does my submission need to have English subtitles?

All films that include scenes with non-English dialogue must include accurate on-screen English subtitles, hardcoded into the film. However, common foreign words/phrases are acceptable without subtitles.