Hope for Climate & Social Justice
Development Program

Point the Way to Hope

As one of Campus Movie Fest's (CMF), longest-standing partners, we now provide an original content pitch opportunity, plus the budget and crew to bring one student's short film concept to life. The winning storyteller will receive $2,000 in prizes, Associate Producer credit, and the chance to join professional development and production teams as they create a high-impact, festival-bound film. The final short may be submitted to Sundance, SXSW, and/or Cannes.

Overview

The Elfenworks Foundation, in partnership with LUMIX, is bringing back the revamped category for the 2023-2024 year! We have the production budget, we're just missing your story! Your winning formula: an eco/climate concern that intersects with poverty/social justice where the takeaway inspires hope. No divisive politics please!

The top 3 pitches will receive $10K to create their films, mentoring sessions from film professionals, and the grand prize winner (selected from the top three) will win an additional $2k in cold hard cash—just what your wallet needs!

Submissions open September 11, 2023 - November 20, 2023 at 11:59pm ET.

So, know a college student that's got big screen dreams? Pay it forward and pass this link along - we'd love to see their pitch!

movie setting

Winning pitches are...

Compelling

Your concept points the way toward hope in a memorable and stirring way.

Salient

The chosen topic is deeply important to today's landscape and culture.

Enduring

The film you're dreaming of is non-partisan, non-political, and will stand the test of time.

Feasible

Think practical. The proposed film is not reliant on big budgets, famous faces, or complex logistics.

Winning pitches spark hope, inspire action for the better, and shed light on issues that are critical to the present and future. They should focus on changing hearts and minds while sparking involvement for a better future. The story pitched should also be evergreen; not only will it move people now, it will move people for years to come.

2022 Winning Film - Press Release

We are excited to bring you last year's winning feature. The film has not yet had its public premiere, pending film festival screenings. You can be among the first to see it, in your own private venue! Treasure is a heartfelt effort that arose from the lived experience of screenwriter Synnovia Ashe. It endearingly explores our throwaway culture and its effects, asking what it might feel like to be part of what was thrown away. Taking the object's point of view, a profound truth is captured in a way that is so charming and delightful, it is sure to inspire the viewer to reconsider, reuse, repurpose and reduce, rather than waste, resources. Learn more about it here [PDF].

Treasure - Press Release PDF

How it Used to Work

The Elfenworks Foundation, in partnership with Campus Moviefest (CMF), invited students to become storytellers for hope, by participating in the annual Campus Moviefest Elfenworks In Harmony with Hope Filmmakersm Award competition.

Students from across the country created films for hope and winners were selected by CMF in consultation with the Elfenworks Foundation. Winners were announced each June at the CMF Terminus event in Atlanta, Georgia. Celebrity presenters included Gabouray Sidibe (2011), Nate Parker (2012), Larry Wilmore (2013), Jurnee Smollett-Bell (2014), Elijah Kelley (2015), Thomas E. Ackerman (2017), and Jeff Goldblum (2021).

2021 Winning Films

From 2010 through 2021, students submitted completed films. Look at their wonderful creations:

2021 Honorable Mentions

Playlist of Previous Winners

Just press play to start a playlist of all previous winners, starting with the most recent.

Watch on YouTube