The Maine Science Festivals has a student (middle and high school) film competition as part our celebration of science. If you want to know what  the contest is all about, keep reading!

Are you a film buff who likes science? Are you a science lover who wants to talk about science in every possible way? AND, are you a middle school or high school student in Maine? We’ve got the contests for you!

Middle School Contest

As in past years, middle school students who want to participate have to make a mock movie trailer for that film about science that does not (yet) exist. The only thing that has to be in the trailer is science.
 
It could be a biography about a scientist, an explanation of how viruses work set on a WW II battlefield, a musical showing how elements attract – the sky is the limit.
 
Other details:
  • The mock movie trailers have to be uploaded to YouTube.
  • The submitted trailer cannot be longer than 60 seconds (1 minute).
  • You can submit as an individual or (hopefully) as a group. All groups must have one person as the designated contact person.
  • You must to be a student in Maine.
  • Each individual/group must have a school or supporting organization (Girl Scouts, Dramatic Academy, Math Team, etc.) who can provide guidance and assistance with logistics – like finding a place to film.
  • Our judges will be using a rubric for their judging. Please note: there are only so many ways movie trailers can destroy the world; you may want to think of a different approach/movie than Armageddon.
  • A rubric that the judges will be using can be found here.

 

High School Contest

Actual short films – something with a beginning, middle and end. The films also have to include science. Musical, horror, mystery, drama – the genre is up to you, as long as it includes some sort of science theme/idea.
 
Other details:
  • The short films must be uploaded to YouTube.
  • The submitted film cannot be longer than 3 minutes (180 seconds).
  • You can submit as an individual or (hopefully) as a group. All groups must have one person as the designated contact person.
  • You must be a student in Maine.
  • Each individual/group must have a school or supporting organization (for example Girl Scouts, Dramatic Academy, Math Team,  a school club with a faculty mentor, etc.) who can provide guidance and assistance with logistics – like finding a place to film.
  • Our judges will be using a rubric for their judging. Please note: there are only so many ways to show the world being destroyed the world; you may want to think of a different approach/movie than Armageddon.
  • A rubric that the judges will be using can be found here.

 

Awards

  • The top three finishers in each category will receive a cash prize, to be shared with their school/sponsoring organization
  • Middle school prizes:$400/1st place; $200/2nd place; $100/3rd place.
  • High school prizes: $600/1st place; $400/2nd place; $200/3rd place.

The films from winners and top finishers will be available on the MSF YouTube Channel after the festival.

Any questions? Email us: trailer@mainesciencefestival.org

Looking for some ideas?

Movie Genres

Action
Adventure
Comedy
Crime
Drama
Documentary
Fantasy
Historical
Horror
Musical
Mystery
Romance
Satire
Science Fiction
Western

Scientific Areas

Astronomy
Biology
Chemistry
Cognitive Science
Computer Science
Ecology
Geography
Geology
Lingusitics
Physics
Psychology
Sociology
Zoology

More ideas on science subtopics here.

Some Possible Inspirations

Marine biology musical
Romantic comedy about Edison
Horror movie about viruses
Cartoon about lab beakers

Drama about amoebas
Suspense about climate change
Madame Curie musical
Superhero movie about white blood cells

Western between Edison & Tesla
Phases of the moon mystery
Ecological crime thriller
Action film on Newton’s laws

Any questions? Email us: trailer@mainesciencefestival.org