It's not about the prizes....

[Kholi]

But, participation might be higher if we get some prize info earlier on?

LIke back in the hay days...

Villain Fest sounds sweet... just saying.

[Noel Evans]

Kholi youre reading minds. Theres a few people working hard to get these organised and do just that.

[Jason Ramsey]

yup. and, if you take a look at fictionfest, 4 or 5 of those sponsors will be donating for every fest moving forward.

[RodThompson]

I will donate a single word of my choosing. Upon announcement of the winner, I will PM them the word I have chosen as their prize. Good?

[Brandon Rice]

Great idea Kholi! We are working on this! Thanks!

[namelok]

It's not about the prizes... but! For instance, I never received a prize for betrayalfest (or westfest )
It wouldn't be a problem if somebody said "there are no prizes", but you guys kept mentioning prizes and none were announced.
That just doesn't boost morale

Oh, and I hate the "A REQUIRED PROP OR ELEMENT" thing

[Zak Forsman]

I hear you. But let me say this: The required prop serves two functions. first, it's to keep people from entering pre-existing shorts. that more than anything would kind of kill the spirit of the DVX Fests. second, it presents a challenge for filmmakers to find creative uses for props -- to give their actors a bit of business while delivering dialogue, or to create a memento that points to a character's internal conflict. yes, you have to choose one out of the five. but what you do with that one bears limitless possibilities.

as an exercise, take the list of five props and for each, list out five ways they could connect to a character, or to a story's theme. it's quite intentional that the five we selected lend themselves to varying forms of villainy. before you know it, you'll have a couple ideas for some shorts on your hands.

[Curugon]

I love the required prop, for the same reason I love the more specific-genre DVXFESTS. It's more challenging to adhere to certain guidelines, stepping outside of the comfort zone. If I wanted to make a short film without any rules I'd enter into any one of a million other fests.

[Amir Assasnik]

I like the requirements in the fests it requires a bit more of a challenge for people. I think it also allows peoples creative processes come out and really work there magic.

[Matt Harris]

i love the BTS element, i'm glad it's back.