RØDE relaunches ‘world’s largest short film competition’

RØDE Microphones has launched its second My RØDE Reel international short film competition, with prizes worth more than $200,000 in total up for grabs.

The inaugural contest last year saw the manufacturer receive 1,120 entries from 76 countries worldwide, with nine category winners sharing a total prize pool of over $70,000, making it the largest short film competition of its kind, according to the firm.

Entrants are required to create a short film of three minutes or less, as well as a behind-the-scenes reel that features a RØDE product being used during production. RØDE has provided an entry pack that guides participants through the process, as well as templates for scripting, storyboarding and more.

There are three main awards and prize packs of filmmaking gear available to win – a Judges’ Film award for the best short film in competition, a Judges’ BTS award for the best behind-the-scenes reel and a publicly voted People’s Choice award for the most popular short film. Each winner will be presented with a production filmmaking kit valued at more than $40,000.

Additional technical and genre awards and prize packs will go to those with the Best Sound Design, Best Soundtrack and more, and for the first time RØDE has announced a Young Filmmaker award, to acknowledge and encourage entrants under the age of 18.

A full list of the prizes, as well as the entry pack, is available on the competition website.

The judging panel includes pioneer filmmakers Philip Bloom, Ryan Connolly, Vincent LaForet and Rodney Charters.

“Last year’s My RØDE Reel was really one of the best film competitions I have ever judged,” said Bloom. “The calibre of entries from all over the world was superb. I can’t wait to see what we get this year, it’s going to be even better I am sure."

Entries for My RØDE Reel are open until 1 June. All entrants will receive a 2015 My RØDE Reel Directors T-shirt, and a free subscription to Hollywood cinematographer Shane Hurlbut’s Inner Circle online community.

www.rode.com