19 films in Peter’s Prize

Twenty were actually submitted.

I had a hard time turning down one.

This is what happened —

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In mid-April, I announced the inaugural Peter’s Prize for Film.

P10,000 pot prize for the best three-minute silent film.

I was specific about three minutes. Defining it as between 150 to 180 seconds.

I was also specific about being silent. Defining it as no sound, or just ambient sound, or just film score, and/or intercards. But no dialogues.

I want the films to be distinctive three minutes and silent.

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In late-April, I announced that I will accept submissions starting June 15.

With a June 30 deadline.

When I received only two or three films by June 18, I panicked.

I extended the deadline to July 15.

But I emphasized that midnight of July 15 is then last and final deadline.

No more extensions.

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And I even advised people to submit their entries way before deadline.

Because so many things can happen on the day of the deadline.

Brownouts.

Computer glitches.

People forgetting.

I know what I’m talking about.

Been there, done that. The stress!

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When I receive an entry film, I promptly review it.

I immediately email back a curt, “Entry received. Thank you. And good luck!”

I don’t now why some contests can’t do this.

I mean, it relieves the stress of the participants!

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Most submissions were sane. Compliant.

But there were those that I couldn’t accept.

A friend submitted a film in .mov format, when I specifically asked for .mp4 format.

This is a very special friend.

Since he/she was way ahead of the new deadline, I asked him/her to resubmit it in my required format.

There is no use arguing with me that .mov format is better. Or that they are just the same.

I do not speak that technical language of editors and serious filmmakers.

I only accept what I ask for.

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Closer to the deadline, another dear friend submitted a film 3 minutes 2 seconds long.

I said, No.

He/she said I am so strict. And crazy for being so.

I said, If your film wins, I don’t want people questioning it.

You are a dear friend. People can put malice to your winning.

But if your film is beyond reproach, they can’t say anything.

My dear friend edited the film down to 2 minutes 57 seconds and resubmitted it on the same day.

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An amateur submitted a film.

At the very beginning of the film was a title card/intercard that says, Start.

I slept with it for a few days.

I was having nightmares.

I couldn’t see any special reason for the word on the title card. No filmic meaning. No filmic significance.

So, I emailed, Consider removing that “Start”. Everybody watching will understand that it’s the start when the movie plays.

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The film was edited and resubmitted a few days before the July 15 deadline.

It played better.

Now, it has a fighting chance.

It probably won’t win, but now it has a fighting chance.

And it no longer looks amateurish.

Imagine what one written word can do to ruin a silent movie!

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On the day of the deadline, there was a one-minute film submission.

With dialogues.

I had to turn it down.

I emailed the filmmaker, Wrong competition.

Maybe he/she meant to send it to the one-minute student film contest?

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Two hours before deadline, two filmmakers messaged me on Facebook.

They had a brownout from where they were transmitting/uploading their entry.

I was close to being bitchy.

Like I wanted to say, I told you so!

But I decided to be nice.

I received the two films within the hour after the deadline. I qualified them.

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All in all, I accepted and qualified 19 films to the first Peter’s prize for Film.

I announced it on Facebook.

28 hours after the deadline, the filmmaker who sent the one-minuter with dialogues emailed me.

He/she just opened his/her email and realized his/her mistake.

He/she submitted a new three-minute silent with strong advocacy message.

Pretty good actually.

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The advocacy film was strong.

Probably won’t win. But very strong contender.

There was an explanation for the mistake.

But, I am Peter Solis Nery. And my word is sacred.

I had to reject and disqualify the film.

I have to be beyond reproach.

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Sure, 20 entry films on the first Peter’s Prize for Film contest sounds good.

But at what cost?

Peter Solis Nery has to be fair.

Blameless and beyond reproach.

Peter’s Prize must keep its integrity.

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Peter’s Prize is seven years old this year.

And it just keeps getting stronger.

Fair, blameless, beyond reproach.

From Peter’s Prize for Literature, a few newbie writers have gone on to win Palanca Awards.

From Peter’s Prize for Film, who knows what newbie filmmakers may achieve?/PN