Join Our Quarterly Film Challenge

72 hours to shoot, edit & submit

Next Film Challenge Date: May 1-4, 2025

Filming behind the scenes

We cherish our partners, vendors, and community members, and we are passionate about storytelling through filmmaking. Our quarterly film challenges provide opportunities for our members to create films with the support of short-term loans, gear, and help with publicity.

These challenges embody our mission, allowing filmmakers and actors to learn, grow, and produce outstanding work together.

Challenge Screening and Wrap Party: TBA

About The Challenge

  • Films made for the challenge must involve all cast and crew as to why decisions are being made. If you switch to a 35mm lens, give your talent context on that decision. Efficient and important communication on set helps us tell better stories.

  • In addition to the time constraints of 72 hours, unique constraints will be sent out one week prior to the challenge start date. These are used to help you think outside of the box and explore your visual storytelling skills in a thoughtful way.

  • Often in this industry, we get overwhelmed by the numerous requirements we think we need to make a film. Let this challenge be a tribute to the days when we started making movies simply because we had a family camera nearby.

For Vendors:

Supporting the challenge as a vendor offers a unique opportunity to foster creativity and innovation in the filmmaking community. By offering short-term equipment loans, temporary software subscriptions, funds, and prizes, you help sustain the challenge and support emerging talent.

Key Benefits:

  • Brand Loyalty: Increase brand loyalty as filmmakers grow familiar with and trust your products.

  • Accessibility: Help filmmakers excel by providing tools they are comfortable using, enhancing their creative process.

  • Community Support: Show your commitment to the next generation of filmmakers and strengthen the film industry.

  • Education: Enable filmmakers to learn and use new products, expanding their skills and knowledge.

Interested in Supporting the Film Challenge as a Vendor?

For Filmmakers:

This is your chance to dive into a dynamic filmmaking experience that pushes your creativity and collaboration skills to new heights.

Key Benefits:

  • Creative Freedom: Explore your unique storytelling style and experiment with new ideas in a supportive environment.

  • Hands-On Learning: Gain practical experience with industry-standard equipment and software, enhancing your technical skills.

  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals at our challenge-specific wrap parties, expanding your professional network.

  • Community Building: Be part of a vibrant community that values collaboration, inclusivity, and mutual support.

  • Low Stakes: Enjoy a low-pressure environment where you can focus on creativity and learning rather than crew size, budget and client notes.

  • Constraints: Learn to work within the confines of time, budget, scope, and unique technical challenges, fostering creative problem-solving and teamwork.

  • Recognition and Prizes: Showcase your work, win prizes that will aid you in your future projects, and get press (selected films will be featured on CFA platforms & have a write up on League of Filmmakers)

  • Networking Party: You will receive an invitation to a challenge kick offevent the briefing of the challenge with a Los Angeles based networking event to meet like-minded collaborators. There are no rules on who you crew with, if you already have a team. However, we love connecting our community members!

    Regardless of where you are based, a Crew Sheet will be available of all the registered participants to find collaborators in specific roles if you cannot attend the networking event.

    Technical & Creative Brief: Registered participants will be emailed a brief that includes technical, practical & creative constraints for that specific challenge one week before the start.

    Short-Term Gear/Software Loans: Participants will be able to access a limited number of complimentary small equipment packages from our sponsors. Proof of insurance will be required through our partner, We Make Movies. Insurance prices estimated at $75-$150 per challenge if our vendor’s gear is used. (Dependent on sponsor involvement each challenge.)

Editing & Color Grading: As Blackmagic Design partners, all films submitted for the Film Challenge must use Da Vinci Resolve for editing or color grading. This ensures a uniform technical standard and provides participants the opportunity to experience industry-standard tools.

FAQs

  • Yes! The challenge focuses on shooting, editing, and submitting your film within the 72-hour window, therefore, all key production tasks (like shooting and editing) must occur during the designated period to qualify for submission. Concept creation and writing are all allowed prior to the challenge start!

  • Yes, all filming and editing must take place within the 72-hour challenge window to be eligible for prizes.

  • Yes, limited gear and software packages will be available through sponsors free of charge. This list will change for each edition of the challenge.

    Registering for the challenge adds you to all updates about short-term loans, crew sheets and dates.

    Participants that use our partner gear will require insurance. We partner with We Make Movies to help expedite this process at an affordable rate. Most plans range from $75 to $150 depending on the total value.

    Insider Tip: CFA community members are entitled to a discount with WMM by using code CFA23 when reaching out year-round for their own personal projects.

    We also partner with local rental houses to offer affordable rates on additional gear.

  • Yes. CFA encourages collaboration, and participants can work with any team they choose or find collaborators via the provided Crew Sheet (once registered through our site).

  • You don’t need a team to join. CFA offers registered filmmakers and talent a collaborative crew sheet to help participants find collaborators across roles. This is a resource, not a requirement.

  • Yes, the challenge offers flexibility, so you can create your film independently if you prefer. However, collaboration is encouraged, and CFA provides a crew sheet for each challenge to help participants connect with others.

  • Yes, these vary dependent on partner and vendor involvement. Prizes are announced through our socials, newsletter and sent via email to those registered for the challenge.

  • The prizes for the CFA Quarterly Film Challenge vary per edition of the challenge.

    In the past, we have offered prizes such as:

    High-End Filmmaking Tools:

    • Blackmagic Design (Cinema Camera 6K, Micro Color Panel, DaVinci Resolve Studio Seats)

    • GVM (SD300C Pro Package (includes Softbox + Grid))

    • Hollyland (Pyro S Kit (TX + RX) and Lark Max)

    Complimentary Rentals:

    • Zeiss (1-Week Rental of Nano Primes)

    Industry Exposure & Press:

    • League of Filmmakers (Winner Write-Ups)

    • CFA Podcast Feature

  • Yes, equipment packages will require certificates of insurance (COI) with associated fees ranging between $75-$150 through our partner, We Make Movies, depending on the package and sponsor involvement.

  • Yes. However, any filmed material used as final footage in the submitted film must be shot during the challenge window.

  • Yes, participants retain the rights to their films and can submit them to festivals.

  • Yes, the challenge offers creative freedom, so using it to create a proof of concept is encouraged as part of the experimentation and storytelling process.

  • Our 72 hour challenges run quarterly. Challenge dates will be announced on our website, event calendar, social channels, newsletter and via email to registered participants.

    Once challenge dates are announced, we will send out updates regarding available gear, industry partners, prizes, collab sheet availability and more!

    Register in advance of challenge dates to be the first to hear.

    An outline with detailed instructions will also be sent to participants one week prior to help with final preparations.

  • Yes, as Blackmagic Design partners, all films submitted for the Film Challenge must be edited and color graded using Da Vinci Resolve. This ensures a uniform technical standard across submissions and gives participants the opportunity to work with industry-standard tools.

  • The Film Challenge insurance provides comprehensive coverage to meet the strict requirements of high-end rental houses and locations. Here's a breakdown of the deductibles:

    • Equipment Rentals: $5,000

    • Props/Sets/Wardrobe: $2,500

    • Third Party Property Damage: $3,500 (e.g., if a random person damages a property you're renting, this coverage protects you since the location is under your care).

    These deductibles are higher than some other providers (like Athos) because the policy includes additional protections often required by vendors, such as workers' compensation, commercial auto insurance, locked vehicle warranties, and liability limits of $5 million or more. Lower deductibles would drive up premiums significantly, making the policy less affordable.

    By using this group policy, participants save money compared to purchasing an individual short-term policy (which could cost $1,500 for just two days). While this policy primarily protects against catastrophic losses, it satisfies the high standards of top-tier vendors at a fraction of the cost, ensuring affordability and comprehensive protection for all participants.