There are five categories to The Coffee Film Awards. The primary aim of the program is to support and showcase the raw talent of up-and-coming independent filmmakers.
The Independent Short Film category carries the main prize of $5,000. All other category winners and finalists will receive official recognition for their achievement.
BRAND FILM
INDEPENDENT SHORT FILM
FEATURE FILM
DOCUMENTARY
TV SHORT COMMERCIAL
Independent Short Film
The Independent Short Film category is an important platform for new and upcoming, independent filmmakers to present their original pieces to industry experts, and we are proud to be supporting this goal.
Within this category, independent filmmakers are offered maximum space for experimentation and self-expression, without the influence of commercial interests or needing to appeal to any pre-specified target audience.
The main guidelines to qualify for this category are:
All films submitted must be made by independent filmmakers only
Innovative and budget film making is encouraged (iPhones, SLRs, etc)
All films must have a coherent connection to coffee or coffee culture and be non-commercial in nature
Film length: 3 minutes minimum - 5 minutes maximum
All works must be new work produced after January 2021
Broad judging criteria include: demonstrating a unique personal vision, creativity, fresh and original content.
Brand Film
The Brand Film award category is open for short films produced by a company or brand to highlight a brand message, vision or values through visual storytelling. Films submitted here may or may not have a direct visible link to the brand, but the key purpose of the film is typical to support a commercial entity.
The main guidelines to qualify for this category are:
All films produced for or by a coffee industry brand or other commercial entity, e.g. coffee roasters, coffee shops, etc.
Innovative and budget film making is encouraged (iPhones, SLRs, etc)
All films must have a coherent relationship between the brand and coffee or coffee culture
Film length: 3 minutes minimum - 45 minutes maximum
Pre-existing works are accepted, provided they have been produced after December 2015
Broad judging criteria include: clarity of message, audience connection, aesthetics, educational value, and authenticity.
Feature Film
The Feature Film award category resembles most to a typical 'movie format' and hence submissions here are likely to be made by experienced producers. These high-quality, full-length films explore a theme closely related to the wide world of coffee culture. Winners in this category will demonstrate deep production talent across a spectrum of emotion that may be either evocative, entertaining, heartwarming, shocking or soulful.
The main guidelines to qualify for this category are:
This category is open to established production houses, individual filmmakers or a collective of filmmakers
All films must have a coherent connection to coffee, coffee culture or a theme linked to coffee
Film length: 60 minutes minimum - 120 minutes maximum
Pre-existing feature films are accepted, provided they have been produced after December 2010
Broad judging criteria include: production quality, storyline, impact and audience engagement.
Documentary
The Documentary award category is open to a single documentary or episodes of a series, that is non-fictional, motion picture intended to inform, educate and generate human interest. Any film produced with the purpose of creating discovery or bringing light to relevant facts or stories from the world of coffee belongs in this category.
The main guidelines to qualify for this category are:
This category is open to established production houses, individual filmmakers or a collective of filmmakers
Innovative and budget film making is encouraged (iPhones, SLRs, etc)
All films must have a coherent connection to coffee, coffee culture or a theme closely linked to coffee
Film length: 12 minutes minimum - 90 minutes maximum
Pre-existing documentaries are accepted, provided they have been produced after December 2015
Broad judging criteria include: educational value, objectivity and human interest.
TV Short Commercial
The TV / Short Commercial award category aims to celebrate and showcase the best commercials with a connection to coffee or coffee culture, tracking the evolution of coffee culture over time.
The main guidelines to qualify for this category are:
All films must feature coffee-related products or highly-relevant content to coffee or a coffee culture
This does not need to be produced by a coffee-related company but must have an identifiable coffee theme
Film length: 15 seconds minimum - 90 seconds maximum
Pre-existing commercials are accepted, provided they have been produced after December 2015
Broad judging criteria include: originality, memorability, wit, and entertainment value.