We are, all of us, defined by our stories. They are the stuff of our empathy, our hope, our ambitions. Our evolution. They give us our consciousness, our soul. We tell these stories. And some few of us can show them, invent them visually through art and motion—these are the voices seen.

Salt Lake Film Society’s MAST announces its 2019 animation contest, Voices Seen.

Entrants may submit alone, or in groups, a short animated piece highlighting a distinctive visual voice and style, and an aptitude for visual storytelling.

Submissions

Video: All submissions must be a video animated short piece between 1 and 30 minutes in length, and at least 720p in resolution (though 1080p or higher is preferred). It should depict a distinctive visual voice and style and an aptitude for visual storytelling, but it need not necessarily include spoken dialogue or sound effects—though at least a music track is encouraged. (Please indicate in your submission whether or not you have rights to any music used in your piece.) Submissions may have previously been published, so long as exclusive rights elsewhere no longer survive, and the piece is available for licensing to Salt Lake Film Society and MAST. Either 3D or 2D is acceptable (or whatever amalgam you may have innovated). Computer animation, hand-drawn animation, and stop-motion animation are all acceptable.

Awards

Grand prize winners: A group of 5 to 10 grand prize winners will be selected. Each group will produce a 1- to 2-minute short animated scene with budget provided by MAST, in a short animated film directed by Jared and Jerusha Hess (Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre, Austenland), written by Hubbel Palmer and Chris Bowman (Masterminds), and produced for submission to the festival circuit. Winners will also receive complimentary enrollment (for up to 3 collaborators per winner) in all 2019 MAST labs, masterclasses, and networking events.

Awards will be announced on March 31st.

Deadline

All submissions must be received before noon MST on 15 February, 2019. By popular demand following Sundance, the deadline has been extended to noon MST on 1 March, 2019. The deadline has now passed, and no further submissions are being accepted. Thanks to all those who participated!