Dubbed the “Future Filmmakers Challenge,” their initiative asks creative people to use their storytelling talents in order to inspire other people to get involved in the 2020 election. Some questions you could answer in your video are: Why are you voting? How are you voting? Who do you want to encourage to vote? What’s your voting story? As per the effort’s website, the best short films will “showcase impact, authentic storytelling and give a clear call to action on voting.”
The top three filmmakers will get a chance to virtually meet up with Shyamalan for a conversation about art, film and the power of storytelling (which will be scheduled by November 3). They will also have their short film displayed on Biden and Senator Kamala Harris’ campaign site.
“We’re only a few weeks out from the election and we’ve been talking about storytelling and how important it is and how it reminds us of our place in the world,” Shyamalan says in a video shared on Twitter on Wednesday. “It’s kind of the way our brain takes in information and makes us understand it in our bones.”
Except for a 90-second time cap, there’s no limit one what you can do with your submission for the competition. “You can tell it as a thriller, you can do it as a comedy, a documentary. Use your storytelling power to encourage people, and to wake them up to their own agency,” he adds in the video. “We really feel this is an important way that all of us can be a part of this incredible moment in history.”
The short films can be submitted online or uploaded directly onto Twitter or Instagram. Just be sure to use the hashtag #VoteByNight for an opportunity to be considered for the competition.
Shyamalan also revealed that the film he connects with the most will be shared to on his personal social media platforms. “I can’t wait to see all this content,” the director said. “Let’s make these short films, send them in, and let’s remind people how powerful they are.”
The deadline for the film competition is Monday, October 12, so grab your camera and get started!
