4 April 2012
Make A Two-Minute Film, Win A $930 Smart Phone
In an initiative new for 2012, the REEL EARTH Environmental Film Festival invites anyone up to age 21 to enter the
EF(Environmental Film)-Factor competition.
“The Horizons EF-FACTOR,” says Victoria Jakobs, Festival Associate Director/Operations, “was designed to engage young
people in with the environment in a fun way. We’re challenging entrants to make a two-minute environmental film about
any topic beginning with ‘c’. We expect, for example, films might be about cars, carrots, compost, carbon or whatever
they think of that begins with ‘c’.”
Entries will be posted on the REEL EARTH website, Facebook Page and YouTube channel. The number of ‘likes’ and views
will be considered by the judges, who will assess the films on conveying a clear environmental message, inspiring the
audience to think or act, having a good narrative or story and holding audience attention. The judges will also consider
if films are well-shot and edited and if the images support the story.
Sponsored by Horizons Regional Council, Massey University and Telecom, the EF-Factor is open to residents of the
Horizons Region. “We see the EF-FACTOR as a great way to get young people to think about how we interact with our
environment and are excited to be part of such a great competition. With entrants spanning across a wide age group I’m
sure we’ll see an interesting range of ideas and opinions canvased,” says Caroline Rowe, Horizons Regional Council media
and communications manager.
More than $2,300 worth of Telecom phones and prepaid vouchers are up for grabs. The first place winner in each EF-Factor
category (ages 18-21, years 7-13 and years 1-6) will win a Telecom smart phone and SIM card. Ten $20 prepaid Telecom
vouchers will be awarded for honourable mentions. Winning films in each Horizons EF-FACTOR age group will be shown at
the REEL BIG NIGHT OUT, the REEL EARTH gala awards event at the Regent Theatre, and a special screening of all entries
will be held at Te Manawa in late May.
Now in its 8thyear, the REEL EARTH Environmental Film Festival will screen 56 environmental films from New Zealand and
around the globe at the Palmerston North Downtown Cinemas from Friday, 11 May through Saturday, 19 May. The week is
capped off at the REEL BIG NIGHT OUT, where, in addition to the EF-Factor awards, trophies will be presented for Best
Feature, Best Short, Best Ultra Short, Best Science Communication, Best film about Environmental Sustainability and Best
Emerging New Zealand Talent.
“The REEL BIG NIGHT OUT has been designed as a family-friendly and fun event,” says Jakobs. “Ukephoria! will provide
musical entertainment and will be backed-up by local schools’ ukulele groups. The Michele A’Court is MC for the night
and Olympic rower, environmentalist and filmmaker (Brother Number One) Rob Hamill, is the guest speaker.”
For more information, an EF-Factor entry form, Festival film descriptions and a complete schedule, visit www.reelearth.org.nz
ENDS