The English Symposium is hosting its first ever Student Short Film Competition in 2019! We invite any and all interested English majors/minors to submit films that adapt a key scene from a novel (including graphic novels), play, or poem. Film a 5-minute version of Beowulf’s fight with Grendel’s mom! Gather some friends and film the trial scene from The Merchant of Venice! Grab your roommate, stand by a tree, and film 5 minutes of awkward silence–Waiting for Godot! The possibilities are endless.

NO PRIOR FILM EXPERIENCE OR TECHNICAL EXPERTISE EXPECTED OR REQUIRED – SIMPLY HAVE FUN! Resources and Tips for Making Short Films: CLICK HERE

To be considered, films MUST

  • be no longer than 5 minutes
  • adapt a scene from a work of literature (novel, play, short story, graphic novel, memoir, essay, or poem from any period or national tradition)
  • involve at least one student from the English department, but other students can participate (e.g., friends, roommates, FHE groups, etc.)
  • be submitted by February 11, 2019: Films must be submitted on USB thumb/flash drives by 11:59 PM to 4115 JFSB. (If no one is in the office, just slip the flash drive under the door.) PLEASE ALSO INCLUDE A PIECE OF PAPER WITH THE NAMES AND EMAIL ADDRESSES OF EVERYONE INVOLVED. Place the flash drive along with the paper in an envelope, for example, and slip it all under the door.

CASH PRIZES! All entries will be considered for judges’ choice ($100) and audience choice ($100) awards. Films will be screened at the conclusion of the English Symposium on March 1.

Direct questions to Professor Peter Leman: peter_leman@byu.edu.