Tickets available for this week, on every showcase page.
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Line-up announced for "Best of" showcases.

So You Want to be a Judge
for DC Shorts 2010.

Yeah!

Do you like film? Can you articulate your opinion in a few carefully crafted sentences? Do you respect the opinions of others? Do you have the passion to watch and evaluate 30–40 movies, or read 10–20 scripts? If so, then you will make an incredible judge.

This year, the DC Shorts Film Festival and Screenplay Competitions expect a record number of films and scripts to be entered — more than 700 (most likely 900.) In order to fairly process these entries, we require the integrity and dedication of our volunteer judges.

This page has all of the information about the process, commitment, and expectations for our judges. After reading all of the information, if you are still interested (and we hope you are!), fill out the form at the bottom of the page.

Here is the skinny:

1) When is DC Shorts 2010?

The DC Shorts Film Festival will take place September 9-16, 2010 at locations throughout downtown Washington, DC.

The DC Shorts Screenwriting Competition will take place as an event during ScriptDC, a regional screenwriting conference October 15-18, 2010 at a downtown Washington, DC location.

2) Time Commitment

There will be an initial orientation meeting on Saturday, March 20 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. This meeting is MANDATORY — there are no exceptions. At the meeting, you will meet other judges, play some icebreaker games, learn about how DC Shorts scores films, play with our online judging software, watch and practice judge 3 short films, and finalize your teams’ viewing schedule. 6 hours

FOR FILM JUDGES
During April and May, your team will be required to watch between 30 and 40 films in 3-5 two-hour sessions at a mutually agreed-upon location and time. Each film must be scored and critiqued online — so that adds another 2 hours of processing time. 12-15 hours over 3-5 days

FOR SCRIPT JUDGES

During April and May, your will be required to read between 10 and 20 scripts (each no more than 15 pages). Each script must be scored and critiqued online — so that adds another 3-5 hours of processing time. 12-15 hours over 3-5 days

During the festival weekend, you are required to volunteer for 2 shifts. This may include ushering, box office, party assistance, or collecting items from our partners. After the festival, there will be a BIG party to thank you for all of your hard work. And we will need it! 8 hours over 4 days.

6) Can I be both a Film and Script Judge?

If you believe you can do both with verve and vigor, then sure. But remember, that is a total time commitment of more than 30 hours in April and May — that's like a part-time job.

7) What if I have to drop out of the process?

We hope that by planning now, you can prepare for planned travel and other commitments through the spring and fall. While we understand that things come up, if you need to resign from judging, we will miss you.

8) I want to judge but know I will not be around during the festival week. What should I do?

It is also critical that films are judged by people with a passion for film, so, you will not be turned away from becoming a judge. However, we will require you to volunteer at some time before the festival at either another event or in our offices during the weekend.

8) I want to judge but cannot attend the mandatory meeting on March 20. What should I do?

The training meeting is critical to the process. It requires a great deal of resources from our office, and we are only able to offer it once. If you cannot attend, you cannot serve. There are no exceptions to this policy.

9) I work strange hours. Will this be a problem?

We will form teams on March 20 which will put people together based on many criteria: film experience (if any), ability to meet geographically, time constraints, and how your score the practice films. If at the end of the initial meeting, we are unable to place a judge with a team, we will find you a new job — or evaluate you to be a script judge (which is a solo venture — no team required).

10) I have 2 friends who want to do this with me — what should I do.

Each person must complete the form below. While every attempt will be made to keep you together in the final teams, this may not be possible – or advisable from our perspective. If you have questions, please email the email the office at judges@dcshorts.com

11) If I do not have friends interested in judging with me, should I create a team?

NO. Please do not, as we might shuffle people around based on experience, and other factors listed above.

12) I do not live in the DC area. Can I still be a judge?

Maybe. We ask for people local to DC because they posses a sensibility that works well to select film for their neighbors. But if you can make the commitment to come to DC for training, and a few times to pick up and drop off films (we cannot ship screener DVDs), then we will work with you to make it happen. If you are in another area, we suggest that you form a team of 3 where you are.

13) I was a judge previously. Do I need to attend the meeting on March 20? What about the Executive Judge team?

Thank you for your commitment in the past. This year, we have changed the system substantially, and will require all judges to attend the meeting on March 20 — no exceptions.

If you previously served, and wish to sit on the second-round Executive Judge team, please email judges@dcshorts.com with your phone number, and we will discuss.

14) What is the process really like?

Want to read the thoughts from a previous judge? Here it is in the Washington City Paper. The account is not overly flattering, but we are proud of our system — and the fact that you know as much about it as we do. No secrecy, no bullshit.

15) I have more questions.

Please email the office at judges@dcshorts.com. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Ready to Sign Up?

As a DC Shorts judge, I agree to…

Attend the MANDATORY Judge Training Session on:
SATURDAY, MARCH 20
US Navy Memorial
710 Pennsylvania Ave., NW — Penn Quarter/Archives Metro stop

10am to 4:00pm:
8:30 coffee, 9:00 Training, 12:30 Lunch Break, 1:00 Best of DC Shorts Screening

Please note that this is the only judge training session we will offer. If you cannot attend the meeting on March 20 for the entire scheduled time, please do not apply for the position. There are NO exceptions.
Watch between 30-50 films in three to five 2-hour sessions at agreed-upon times with your complete team.
Pick up and drop off packages of DVDs from our office located a block from Metro Center.
Score and comment on the films your watch within 24 hours of your group’s meeting.
Work two 4-hour shifts at either the DC Shorts Film Festival (September 9-16, 2010) or the ScriptDC Screenwriting Conference (October 15-18, 2010)
Sign a “Judge Agreement” which precludes you from discussing the process and the films you watch with anyone until after the festival.