Copyright Permission

All applicants must obtain appropriate copyright permission and submit a copy of the agreement for the use of any non-original material with this application. You can e-mail or fax the permission to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (703) 642-1773, attention Video Fairfax Submission. Please state your name and entry title. The following are some guidelines to help you with this process:

1. For music, both music and performance rights are usually required. Music composed more than 75 years ago and played live or taped live by a non-professional group, as well as original music, may be free from copyright restrictions.
2. To gain permission to use a picture from a book or newspaper, write the publisher. A second letter may have to be written if the publisher obtained copyright permission from another source.
3. Plan for this process to take time. Use telephone calls to help speed up the process.

Eligibility/Criteria

1. Applicants must be enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools. Both individual and group efforts are acceptable as entries.
2. Fairfax County Public Schools faculty members may provide technical support as an educational forum to assist student productions.
3. Entries must be original productions. You may not submit the same entry twice.

Rules of Entry

1. The content of all entries must be appropriate for family or general audiences or the entry may be disqualified at the discretion of the judges.
2. Videos can be submitted on a CD/DVDor published online using Vimeo or YouTube. Winning students are required to send us a hard copy for the awards night.
3. The entry may not exceed five minutes in length (including titles & credits).
4. Mailed entries must be marked with the title of the production, name and telephone number of the producer, name and telephone number of the faculty sponsor and the exact length of the production.
5. Applicants must obtain appropriate copyright permission.
   
6. The decision of the judges is final.
7. Videos that do not meet the eligibility criteria and follow the rules of entry will be disqualified.

Qualified Categories for Submission

These are the categories, which are listed in the registration form.

• Arts
• Anxiety, Bullying and Stress Management
• Civic, Geography and History
• Diversity, Global Cultures and Languages
• Documentary
• Drama/Comedy
• Internet Safety/Digital Age
• PSA/Media
• Science, Math and Technology
• Sports

Any type or style of video may be entered. Awards will be determined by the judges within each Award Division (based on grade level). A first place award will be given to the overall winner within each Award Division.  In addition, second-place, third-place, and honorable mention awards may be given at the judges’ discretion.

Judging Criteria

1. Content: concept, clear objective, creativity and originality. (We can’t stress this enough. A good story line is key to a successful movie.)
2. Production technique: sets/effective use of location, lighting, shot composition, camera movement and editing.
3. General effectiveness: interest held, appropriate length for subject and talent performance.
4. Audio: quality of primary sound, appropriateness of secondary sound and sound mix.
5. Graphics and special effects.

Awards

The 2012 Video Fairfax ceremony and awards program is generously sponsored by Cox Communications. Winners will receive a cash award and Cox Communications will be making the winning entries available for viewing On Demands. Awards will be given in four grade level  categories (K-3, Grade 4-6, Middle School, High School).

1st Prize:  $500.00
2nd Prize:  $200.00
3rd Prize:  $100.00

Jury Panel

The entries will be judged by a panel consisting of  professionals from local television studios, educational institutions, and independent video artists and companies.