Generosity Film Festival

Submission Guidelines

Film and submit your story of generosity as part of the Generosity Film Festival.

Our hope is for an abundance of stories from across our synod, overflowing with heart-felt testimonies of generosity.

Share a “Hope-filled” Story of Generosity

All entries will receive a certificate for framing. Special Recognition for: creative filming, engaging multi-generations in telling the story, outstanding story of Hope.

• Review our webinar on Generosity Storytelling 101 (also on this page).

• Choose the story to tell: Share how someone’s act of generosity, or your own, offers HOPE for the New Year.

• Decide who will tell the story: You? Friends? Your Household? Several generations? People in your ministry? The community? Neighbors?

  • When? Where? What? How did this act of generosity give you hope?

  • Don’t tell the viewer you are going to tell a story — just tell it.

  • Appeal to the heart (emotion) more than the head (statistics).

  • Give your story a beginning, middle, and an end.

  • Include the 5 senses: sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch.

  • Give your story one main focus. Be specific.

  • Practice telling it before filming it.

  • Be creative - insert photos, use puppets, props, special effects.

  • If your story names another person(s), ask for permission to include them.

• You can also review the Grand Canyon Synod’s video tips page.

Film Your Generosity Story using phone, camera, computer…

• Keep the story short — 3 minutes max! 90 seconds is ideal.

• Introduce yourself: name, age/generation, congregation or ministry, location.

• With phone, shoot in landscape (horizontal) <--> mode only. This is essential!

• Use a tripod or place smart phone on a stand, book or item to hold it steady.

• Do NOT zoom in and out when filming. Use one setting only.

• Film in quiet space, no sounds of motors, traffic, planes... Use mobile mic if available.

• Sit/stand by a window for natural light. Or light subject(s) directly from front, or use two lights shining on subject at 45-degree angles.

• Do not light subject from the back.

• Position subject and lights so no “down” shadows on subject’s body or neck.

• When filming outdoors be aware of shadows and noises.

• Film from waist up. Frame person(s) with 2-3 inches of space above subject’s head.

• Position subject(s) 3-4 feet away from any wall or backdrop.

• Select a non-chaotic backdrop

• Film or record at highest quality

• Submit in full resolution, not compressed

• Submit by Wednesday, 12/8/2021.

• Upload to wetransfer.com.

• Send link to generationslink@gmail.com.

• Q’s: email above or call or text 602-740-3752

Note: Video contents will not be edited. A GCS credits page will be added to each video.