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OCTOBER 8th & 9th

COUNTDOWN TO OMAF 2024

HOW TO FEST

Ozark Media Arts Festival is a FREE student festival that provides an opportunity for local and regional students to showcase their work, compete, and gain exposure to the professional worlds of:

  • Digital Film and Video

  • Broadcast Television

  • Podcasting

  • Photography

  • Media marketing

  • Graphic design

Whether in middle school, junior high or high school, the students bring their best to this exciting display of art.

Ozark Media Arts Festival was founded in 2011 to encourage student artists to seek careers in the arts by providing them a venue for competition and showcasing their work, and continually provide real life networking opportunities to students.

PLEASE NOTE: This competition is ONLY open to registered students in the region of Arkansas and its bordering states, including Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. This festival is designed to serve a specified region so that it can excel in uplifting and supporting those students to a successful future in the media arts.

A student or program may only enter ONE category per project. Limitations to the number of projects submitted and time limitations are listed under each category. Please select the best single category to fit your project submission.


Upload your media art from the past school year to compete against the best in the Midwest. All media arts will be uploaded through FilmFreeway

Upload Competition

  • No time limit. Limit 1 submission per school.

  • Maximum Time: 1 minute or less. Student produced opening for any show. Entry will be judged on creativity, composition, and editing.

  • Maximum Time: 15 minutes. Submit an excerpt your program's best Livestream. Please label/include timestamps of your highlights. This category will be judged on camera moves, switcher cuts, and overall product.

  • Maximum Time: 10 Minutes. Human Interest entries will be judged on the basis of journalistic and video coverage, which demonstrate awareness of broadcast journalistic standards, including accuracy and storytelling. Judges are looking for well-organized material, clearly written narration and appropriate sound bites. Judges also look for video composition and relation to the narrative.

  • Maximum Time: 2 Minutes. News Story entries will be judged on the basis of journalistic and video coverage, which demonstrate awareness of broadcast journalistic standards, including accuracy and fairness. Judges are looking for well-organized material, clearly written narration, and appropriate sound bites. Judges also look for video composition and relation to the narrative.

  • Maximum Time: 10 Minutes. Video must relate to narrative, have composition relevance and capture the spirit of the sport. Judges will look for well-organized material, clearly written narration, and appropriate sound bites.

  • Submit 1 Episode. Let's hear your best talk show, how-to, tell all, unsolved mysteries, and more! This competition is judged on quality, content, packaging, and voice-personality.

  • No Maximum Time. Any form of animation is accepted.

  • Maximum time: 15 minutes or less.

  • Maximum time: 5 minutes or less. Any non-narrative forms and alternatives to traditional narratives or methods of working.

  • Maximum time: 5-15 minutes. Any narrative short film.

  • Maximum Time: 5 Minutes. Any narrative short film.

  • Maximum Time: 5 Minutes. Action Sports videos should showcase, or be inspired by, action sports including but not limited to skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, wake, BMX bike riding, freeski, football, volleyball, softball, basketball, baseball, etc. Highlight reels are acceptable but music must meet copyright rules stated earlier.

  • Maximum time: 5 minutes or less. Only original music is allowed, no use of other artist music is allowed, unless copyright is given.

  • Maximum time: 3 minutes. Personal Demo Reels should highlight the strengths, uniqueness, quality of content, and proficiency in skills of the creator. Role labels are encouraged (Director, Cinematographer, Editor, etc.), but not required.

  • Maximum Time: 30-60 Seconds. Any message used to educate, inform or persuade a target audience.

  • Submit 1-3 pieces. Do you have the endurance of a National Geographic photographer. Can you use your knowledge of the subject to capture it's image? The viewer should clearly see the subject in it's environment. Can the photographer tell that subject's story?

  • Submit 1-3 pieces. Street photography is candid and captures chance encounters/random incidents within public places. Do not pose or premeditate situations. Simply go out and capture life happening. Street photography is traditionally black and white. This will be taken into consideration.

  • Submit 1-3 pieces. Experimental photography includes, but is not limited to: Light-shaping, Digital manipulation, Metaphorical, Underwater, or high-fashion pieces. Almost anything goes here, just keep it OMAF appropriate!

  • Submit 1-3 pieces. Tell the story, what is happening? How best can you visually represent the environment, tone, and atmosphere of a special event or journalistic package. Emphasis on informing the viewer.

  • Submit 1-3 pieces. Can you show a space within the world. Capture the presence/ atmosphere of location.

  • Submit 1-3 pieces. Can you focus on a person/ persons and emphasize their personality? Submit your seniors, couples, and families in this category. Good use of light/ location.

  • Submit 1-3 pieces. Emphasis on action. Captures skill, excitement, and energy. Show ability of having a 'good eye'. ( Be in the right the place at the right time.)

  • Submit 1 Page of Logo and Brand Design. Do you know how to build and present branding? This can include logos, type, color palette, sketches and more. Must be original work. The Company/Person/Band can be imagined or you may create a "Spec Presentation" for a pre-existing entity.

  • Submit 1-3 Pieces. Submit your original, digital artwork here. Pieces will be judged off of creativity, color usage, and cohesiveness.

  • Submit one print news story published in a school publication or on a school website. Submissions must include topics that inform readers in a timely manner or share significant, need-to-know information with. Topics may include school development, changes in policy or staff, notable staff and student achievements, sports reporting or anything else that will impact the lives of the school community. Submissions must be 500-2,500 words. Be sure to submit one article, rather than the whole publication.

  • Submit one print feature story published in a school publication or on a school website. Submissions must include stories that inspire or provide a deeper look into topics. Feature stories do not have to be shared in a timely manner and may include personality profiles, behind-the-scenes information, human interest stories, personal experiences or social and cultural topics. Submissions must be 500-2,500 words. Be sure to submit one article, rather than the whole publication.

  • Submit a digital copy of a student-designed school newsletter, newspaper, magazine, yearbook or other significant publication. Competitors may submit only one issue of each entered publication. Original publications may be either print or digital products.

Please note: Upload Contest submissions will be selected to air as Screeners during the festival. This is so cool to know that thousands of people are viewing your work.

Awards will be given during the opening ceremonies.

During OMAF24, students will compete in On-site Competitions during the first day of the festival. Students will have 9 hours on DAY 1 to create content from start to finish. Prompts will be available to registered teams just after Opening Ceremonies, and winners will be announced and shown at the Closing Ceremonies of OMAF24.

Onsite Competition

  • Teams will receive a prompt and have a set time to finish their story. Remember, this is a journalism contest, so no pre-planned ideas and everything must be true and accurate. The topic will allow you to shoot on-site at the convention center, but with permission by your advisor, can be filmed off site. The final story should run no more than 2 minutes. Pay attention to overall production values, a strong script, and story to provide the judges a thorough and complete package.

  • Teams will receive multiple Press releases and have to write a second script, deciding which stories to prioritize. The final entry may not be edited. Turn in a one-take, one-shot performance. Begin with the anchors introducing themselves and at the end, finish with “For the Ozark Media Arts Festival, I’m (name) and I’m (name).” Judges will look for strong, conversational scripts, order of stories presented, storytelling, transitions, and professionalism. Lighting and audio are a concern and will be taken into account by judges.

  • You will be given a prompt and will design a fashion shoot and you have to capture a look or mood. Get creative with no limits! Images will be judged on content and composition as well as creativity.

  • You will be given a prompt with a theme. You will have freedom to explore and try new things. Major emphasis on addressing the theme, content, and composition.

  • Capture commercial product shots at a location provided, to display and show off a product. Images will be judged on content, context, composition and creativity.

  • Capture and tell the story of the wonderful architecture and buildings of downtown Springdale in one shot. Images will be judged based on content, composition, context and creativity.

  • A topic will be given, and teams will be asked to plan, shoot and edit a 30-second PSA. Music and graphics can be used but must be non-copyrighted. You may use anyone from your school as actors as needed. Please be aware, there is a difference between a commercial and a PSA.

  • This event is a thorough summary of OMAF. This event begins when the festival begins and ends on day two. Students will receive a prompt at the beginning of the festival to help guide their shooting, editing, and storytelling. Recaps should range between 90 - 150 seconds. Thats 1½ to 2½ minutes in length. Judges will look for use of prompt, camera angles, storytelling, creative shots, editing techniques, overall creativity and complexity. This challenge may be showcased at the closing ceremony.

  • Teams will receive a script with the first two scenes, which they MUST shoot. The dialogue and directions should be closely followed. Try to stay on script for the first two scenes. Then, each team will write and shoot the third and final scene in any way they see fit. Lighting and audio are a concern and will be taken into account by judges. Final video run time should be between 3 - 5 minutes. This is a school sponsored festival, any film that may not receive a “PG” rating should be avoided.

  • Entries must be at least 3 minutes but not over 4 minutes. Credits and opening titles DO count against the minute limit. Teams will receive a prompt and prop and have a set time to finish their film. Judges will look for films that meet all prompts and prop requirements, and also tell a great story. Lighting and audio are a concern and will be taken into account by judges. This is a school sponsored festival, any film that may not receive a “PG” rating should be avoided.

  • This contest is not for the long-winded. General guidelines will be given and students must tell a compelling story within 30 seconds. BE CREATIVE! Music and graphics can be used but must not break copyright laws. Entries final length should be as close to 30 seconds as possible.

  • This challenge is for the social media savvy. Teams will be given a prompt and will need to submit 5 photos/videos (STORY POSTS) with captions to serve as a social media campaign for Ozark Media Arts Festival. Creativity and writing drive this competition.

  • Calling all digital artists! Teams will receive a prompt and a deliverable with dimensions. Designers are challenged to use creativity and knowledge of design concepts to deliver a final design that is visually compelling and meets all requirements.

Every year Ozark Media Arts Festival highlights and showcases the BEST OF THE BEST.

Anyone can nominate:

Of the Year Awards

  • A Broadcast Journalist is a student that shows an unwavering drive to report the truth, inform the public, and stays innovative to capture attention. Write a short explanation of why this student is ‘Of The Year’ and submit and example or demo reel for this student.

  • The Photographer of the year is a student with not only a great ‘eye’, but also a great voice. They share their point of view of the world with technique and skill. Write a short explanation of why this student is ‘Of The Year’ and submit photo examples for this student.

  • The Filmmaker of the Year is a story teller. This student shows vision, attention to detail, and leadership. Imagination and initiative are important to this student. Write a short explanation of why this student is ‘Of The Year’ and submit an example or demo reel for this student.

  • The OMAF Teacher of the Year goes beyond the known duties of a teacher. They are someone who inspires creativity, helps students see their worth, and fights for their program to be the best it can be in promise and potential. Write a short explanation of why your teacher is the Teacher of the Year.

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  • The Video Program of the Year excels on a high level in promise and potential not only in content created, but in quality of students. Teamwork and spirit is important to create a lasting impression. Write a short explanation of why your program deserves to be ‘Of The Year’ and submit a program demo reel.

  • The Graphic Designer of the Year is a digital art specialist. This student exhibits exceptional skills in cohesive work and branding. Originality, style, technique, and precision are important to this student. Write a short explanation of why this student is ‘Of The Year’ and submit a few pieces of digital work for this student.

The Of the Year winners receive prizes and money for their programs. During the Closing Ceremonies we also showcase the winners for the onsite competitions.

One of the most important aspects of OMAF is the direct connection to industry professionals. Students will have the opportunity to meet and talk to colleges, companies and mentors to learn how to get your foot in the door and advice to become a new professional.

Media Arts Fair

There will be industry lead workshops for teachers and students to attend throughout the day. Workshops focus on Filmmaking, Journalism, Photography, Graphic Design, Entrepreneurship and much more.

Worshops

Regional Leadership Advisory Council

The purpose of the Regional Advisory/Leadership Council meeting is to build sustainable relationships between education to industry. In this meeting teachers and industry leaders will work together to identify industry needs and how education can best serve. Industry will learn about the educational ecosystem and how best to leverage. For teachers, this also counts as one of your required Regional Advisory Councils for the Arkansas Department of Education.