2025 Amaze Challenge
This OIF Amaze Script-To-Screen Challenge is to write and produce a short film, 9 minutes or under, that will amaze the audience!
Films are judged for originality, story, audio, cinematography, and other technicals. The genre is Drama.
Please follow the General Challenge Rules here: https://independentfilmmakers.org/tampa/film-challenge-rules/
Scripts due – December 16, 2024
Complete film submission due – by 11:59 pm on March 24.
You may post casting calls in the group using the hashtag #OIFAmazeChallenge.
NO filming prior to script selections being posted.
Filming to start – As soon as selections are posted.
Screening & Awards – April 26
Pg-13 no nudity. Look for the participant POLL in the fb group to help you find your cast and crew…and remember…if you need help, it is always easier to find it when you’ve already helped others in the community. Good luck all!
Talent is judged on performance. Once tabulated, the winners are announced at the Awards Ceremony, where Crystal Awards are presented for 13 categories.
April 26 Event AGENDA
6:00pm – Open Film Block (5:30pm Check-in)
This is a special additional Block. We will be screening a 17-minute Short Film by Chase Shellee, Death of Jazz Singer.
Anyone with ALL Access is allowed entry.
Due to available time, we will be presenting an additional film produced by an OIF member that was produced in Tampa and Orlando.
Regular OIF Shorts Block Check-in opens at 6:00pm.
If going to the Opening Block as well, please check in at 5:30pm
OIF Film Block starts on Saturday, April 26, 2024 about 6:35pm
Award presentations Begin approximately at 8:00pm
AFTER party at 9:15pm at the renaissance hotel in international plaza
Screening Location: AMC West Shore 14 , Tampa, FL Address: 210 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, FL 33609
Networking Party Location: Renaissance Hotel , Tampa, FL Address: 4200 Jim Walter Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607
YOUR ALL-ACCESS BADGE GRANTS YOU:
- Admission to All Film Screenings, including the Open Film Block “Death of a Jazz Singer”. Check-in opens at 5:30pm for this Block.
- Awards Ceremony
- Networking Party at the 4.5-star Marriot Renaissance Hotel.
AMAZE CHALLENGE NOMINEES & WINNERS
(Winners are in bold lettering)
Best HAIR/MUA
***Winner*** Zeta and Mars – Emily McVay and Alec Kirby
Gorgeous – Shaun Koffinas
The Very Last Thing – Marie Cooper
Best Production Design Nominees
The Present – Shawn Alexander Thompson
Unwell – Geoff Scott
Gorgeous – Cya Shanan Canada
Dominno – Jacob Schwartz
***Winner*** Zeta and Mars – Cya Shahan Canada
Best Supporting Actor Nominees
Zeta and Mars – Mike Taylor
***Winner*** The Present – Shawn Alexander Thompson
Domino – JJ Schwartz
The Very Last Thing – Jonathan Hecht
Hope Over Fear – Austin Janowsky
Best Supporting Actress Nominees
Zeta and Mars – Pang Thao
Gorgeous – Artemis Rodriguez
The Very Last Thing – Lexi Baca
***Winner*** Domino – Samantha Dalesio
Hope Over Fear – Chelsea Wolf
Best Music Nominees
***Winner*** Unwell – Geoff Scott
Domino – Christian Engquist
Zeta and Mars -Samuel GR Morgan
Best Editor Nominees
Unwell – Geoff Scott
The Present – Peder Trusiak
Domino – Joaquin Villegas
The Very Last Thing – Nathan Bradford
***Winner*** Zeta and Mars – Jesue jeune
Best Cinematography Nominees
Gorgeous -Yami Ortiz-Soto
Unwell – Geoff Scott
The Present – Jimmy Blanco
***Winner*** Domino – Joshua Aucoin
Wrecked – Jimmy Blanco
The Very Last Thing – Werner Jauch
Best Lead Actor Nominees
The Very Last Thing – Vidal Ramos
Hope Over Fear – Umar Farooq
***Winner***The Present – Evan Hufferd
Domino – Jacob Schwartz
Wrecked – Kevin Kedgley
Zeta and Mars – Mario Mercado
Best Lead Actress Nominees
The Very Last Thing – Pang A. Thao
Hope Over Fear – Tori Baird
***Winner*** Unwell – Laura Cooper
Zeta and Mars – Danielle Hollabaugh
Gorgeous – Whitney Watts
Best Story Nominees
Hope Over Fear – Rory Smith
Domino – Jacob Schwartz
Zeta and Mars – Brooke Fauver
***Winner*** The Present – Shawn Alexander Thompson
Unwell – Geoff Scott
Best Director Nominees
The Present – Shawn Alexander Thompson
Unwell – Geoff Scott
***Winner*** Domino – Kelly Louton
Best Sound Nominees
***Winner***Unwell – Geoff Scott
Domino – Rodrigo Salume
The Present – Pall Bryin
Best Picture Nominees
Unwell
***Winner*** The Present
Domino
Congratulations!
Award Categories
Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Music, Best Director, Best Cinematographer, Best Editor, Best Original Story, Best Sound, Best Set Design, Best Hair/MUA.
Drama
(Films below are listed in screening order)
The Present
by Shawn Thompson
Domino
by Jacob Schwarts
Unwell
by Geoff Scott
The Very Last Thing
by Vidal Ramos
Wrecked
by Zachary Tuttle
Gorgeous
by Reign Burton
The Choice
by Kelly Weaver
Hope Over Fear
by Rory Smith
Zeta and Mars
by Michael Lamberti