MCA-I Media Festival Rules and Entry Process

Program Categories

A single program or project may be entered in only one program category. However, the same individual or company may enter multiple programs in various program categories. And, a single entry may be entered into a program category and the editing craft category. However, separate applications (including fees) are necessary. Select from the following categories:

General Categories

• Budget Production - Includes programs in any category produced for less than $1,000 per finished minute. In calculating production costs, in-house corporate productions must include all department burden rates relating to salaries, studio space and equipment. Programs using volunteer or donated labor, equipment and/or studio space must accurately reflect “real costs” normally associated with these resources. Documentation may be required.
• External Communications– Includes programs designed to present information to a company’s or organization’s external audiences. Examples include community service programs, image presentations, position statements, issues discussions, etc.
• Internal Communications - Includes programs designed to present information to an organization’s internal audiences. Examples include orientation programs, customer service presentations and meeting openers.
• Organizational News - Limited to an entire program from a regularly produced company news or magazine format series. Individual stories, features or segments which make up only part of the program will not be considered.
• Public Service Announcement (PSA) - Includes a single PSA, up to 60 seconds in length. The PSA must have been produced for a nonprofit organization or government agency. Each PSA in a series must be entered as a separate entry.
• Sales and Marketing - Includes programs that urge viewers to take a specific action such as purchasing a new product or service or accepting a new concept or idea. Examples are new product introductions, point of purchase videos, sales meeting presentations, product demonstrations and programs which urge signing up for a cause or donating money.
• Training/Educational - Includes programs that help viewers to learn a skill. Successful entries will create the desired change in performance or behavior. Examples are programs that teach office procedures, interpersonal management and supervisory skills, technical skills and knowledge, crafts and other specialized procedures.
• Short Films - Includes short documentaries and feature films (less than 20 minutes) intended for educational course requirements, festival competitions or general distribution. Entry must state amount of budget, number of crew and type of equipment used. Category is open to Media Professionals as well as Students. (Please upload only a portion of the program.)

Craft Categories:

• Editing Craft Category -This category salutes and recognizes professional editors. Programs will be evaluated on how creatively and effectively the editing helps the audience focus on the message and achieves desired results. Again, you may enter a single entry into a program category and this craft category. However, separate applications (and fees) are necessary.
• Writing Category - Entries in this category are judged solely on the effectiveness, creativity and clarity of the program's script. Please upload a Word document or PDF of the script.
• Graphics/Animation - These entries are judged by the quality, originality and effectiveness of the graphics (backgrounds, supers, etc.) and/or animation (ie. modeled vehicles, characters, architecture, robotics, etc.) incorporated into the program. Entriesshould demonstrate artistry, creativity and effectiveness in supporting the program.
• Audio/Sound Design - This entry is judged solely on the sound design of the program (sound effects, voice over, music, etc.), specifically its quality, creativity, clarity, and effectiveness in the overall program.
• Interactive Programming - This entry is judged on the overall effectiveness of the programming on an interactive project; including its ease of navigation, style cues and use of graphics to guide the user through the interactive session.
• Videography -  This category salutes and recognizes the videographer. Programs will be evaluated on how creatively and effectively the camerawork helps the audience focus on the message and achieves desired results. Again, you may enter a single entry into a program category and this craft category. However, separate applications (and fees) are necessary.

Student Works:

This category salutes and recognizes students - the future of our business. Includes programs produced as a class assignment and projects done for submission to a contest by full time students. The entrant must be the student(s) in charge of the production. Each entry must include a letter of eligibility from the faculty advisor on the school's letterhead. Faculty members may only serve in an advisory capacity on student productions. Projects produced for a company or organization by a student intern will not be accepted in the category. Work must have been produced by a student while attending a college or university. Verification of eligibility will include a photocopy of enrollment record during the semester the work was produced. Programs will be evaluated on creativity, technical excellence and effective communication of the message.

Recognition Process

Each entry is initially reviewed by professionals from across the country and around the world. Those that are judged the best of the preliminary panels are then reviewed by a team of professional communicators with a minimum of 10 years of media production experience. This Blue Ribbon Panel is composed of MCA-I members who have served on recognition panels, and have won awards in the past. (Read Article about the past judging panels.)

Entries are evaluated on effective use of the medium, creativity, production values and technical quality in three areas:

• Message Design (48%)
• Creative Elements (32%)
• Production Elements (20%)

Viewing Limits

If your program is 20 minutes or longer, you may select a five-minute continuous segment which you feel is most representative of your work.

Honors

Authorization, Warranty and Signature

(In order to enter your work, you must indicate that you have permission to do so and agree to the following statement. The interactive form includes an area for your electronic signature.)