SHORT FILM JUDGING CRITERIA
Criteria Exemplary Accomplished
(20 points)
Narrative flow The narrative/story telling
flowed seamlessly. It was
also strong, original,
compelling, and interesting,
always attracting the
viewers attention
Performances The performances by the
actors were strong,
original, compelling, and
interesting, always attracting
the viewers attention
Production Design Excellent and extremely
(props, costumes, creative production design.
sets, locations) Original and appropriate
choice of props, costumes,
sets and locations used.
Visual Composition/ Film consistently showed
Cinematography excellent and creative visual
composition/cinematography
(camera angles, camera
movement, lighting, framing
of shots)
Use of Audio High quality sound and
Enhancements excellent use of music for
(sound and music) the soundtrack.
Editing and Use of Excellent and appropriate
VisualEnhancements editing and excellent use of
(Transitions, titles, visual enhancements
credits, special
effects)
Developing
(15 points)
The narrative/story telling
flowed consistently. It was
occasionally compelling and
entertaining to viewers.
There were some original
ideas used.
The performances by the
actors were consistent, well
done and entertaining.
Interesting and creative
production design. Good
and appropriate choice of
props, costumes, sets and
locations used.
Film occasionally showed
excellent and creative visual
composition/cinematography
(camera angles, camera
movement, lighting, framing
of shots)
Very good quality sound and
good choice of music for the
soundtrack.
Very good editing and use of
visual enhancements. Trying
to be innovative with
production and presentation.
(10 points)
The narrative/story telling
showed signs of developing
an interesting and
entertaining story. It mildly
captured the viewer’s
attention.
The performances by the
actors were adequate. At
times the performances rose
above this level to become
interesting to the viewer.
Adequate and sometimes
interesting production
design. Some inspired
choices of props, costumes,
sets and locations used.
Film showed average
creative visual
composition/cinematography
(camera angles, camera
movement, lighting, framing
of shots)
Good quality sound and
good choice of music for the
soundtrack.
Editing was adequate
however visual
enhancement tools used but
not always appropriate or
effective.
Limited
(5 points)
The narrative/story telling
flowed disjointedly. It was
uninteresting and only
occasionally captured the
viewer’s attention.
The performances by the
actors looked unconfident
and uninteresting to the
viewer.
Poorly executed production
design. Poor choice of
props, costumes, sets and
locations used.
Film showed poor visual
composition/cinematography
(camera angles, camera
movement, lighting, framing
of shots)
Poor quality sound and
limited or inappropriate use
of music for the soundtrack.
Poor editing and no use or
inappropriate use of
enhancements.
SHORT FILM JUDGING CRITERIA

Content
- script/story
- creativity
- originality
- coherence

production design
- excellent creative product design
- original and appropriate choice of props, costumes, sets and
locations used

overall quality
- overall impression
- meaningfulness
- replay value
cinematography
- creative visual composition/cinematography
- camera angles,
- camera movement
- lighting
- framing of shots

editing
- editing and use of visual enhancement
- transitions, titles, credits, special effect
- music and sounds

Judging Criteria
Below is the criteria that judges will use to evaluate each film.
Babe Stewart Short Film Competition – Judging Criteria
Name of entry: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Award Criteria
On a scale of 1-to-10, with 10 being the best, give each entry a rating in the following categories.

Cinematography ----------------
Consider the director’s choices for shot and angles, lighting. Did they try to change ‘things’ up or were the shots static?

Editing -----------------
Did the film flow? Did editing impact the film, making it better or worse? Was it smooth?

Sound ----------------
Was the sound quality good? Were song selections good? How did sound impact film?

Storyline -----------------
Could you follow the ‘show?’ Did the director/writers lead you through the story?

Film as art ------------------

Did the film have an artistic quality? Was it just a home movie, or was there more to it?
Special effects ------------------
Were there special effects? Were attempts made to ‘spice’ up the film?

Subject ------------------
Was the subject of the film worthwhile? Was it entertaining?

Creativity ------------------
How much thought was behind the film? Was it ordinary, or more than that?

Intangibles ------------------
Judges discretion

Overall ------------------
How well would this film represent the Babe Stewart Short Film Competition?

Total ----------------
McMinnville Short Film Festival Entry Rating Form
The following rating scale will be applied to each entry immediately after the video is viewed by a member of the
McMinnville Short Film Festival Judges Panel. Each entry will be evaluated by at least five judges, with finalists selected
from those scoring highest. Judges will ask themselves the bulleted points below when judging that aspect of the film.

It is understood that any evaluation of another’s artistic endeavor involves a certain degree of subjectivity. However,
decisions of the Judges Panel are FINAL.

Video Title: ____________________________________ Length: _____min _____sec

Category (circle one): Documentary Animation Music Video Comedy Drama Build Local

Reviewer: ____________________________________ Date Reviewed: ____________

Audience Appeal (cinematic) Characterizations

____ (10) tight, visual, entertaining ____ (10) in-depth and multi-dimensional
____ (5) average appeal ____ (5) simple, one-dimensional characters
____ (1) unnecessarily long, talky, boring ____ (1) poorly developed, weak, confusing

Cinematography Story
____ (10) highly effective visuals ____ (10) excellent writing, unique story line
____ (5) images satisfactory, average appeal ____ (5) adequately developed
____ (1) poor quality visuals ____ (1) story minimal and/or plot unclear
Audio, Music, Sound Effects Directing
____ (10) excellent quality; highly effective ____ (10) stylish, clear point of view
____ (5) satisfactory quality and impact ____ (5) adequate style and approach
____ (1) poor quality recording, ineffective ____ (1) viewpoint inconsistent or unclear

Editing Theme
____ (10) well-paced, excellent continuity ____ (10) excellent illustration of the genre
____ (5) satisfactory sequences ____ (5) adequate support of the genre
____ (1) poor pacing, and/or lacks continuity ____ (1) unclear association to the genre

Total Points = ____________