Imagine Entertainment, Adobe and The Film Zone are launching “From Minutes to Movies ShortFest,” a social-first, short film festival providing an opportunity and platform for filmmakers and creators looking to cross over into longer formats.

Submissions for the festival are open from July 9 to Aug. 25, and should embody the thematic perspective of stories that inspire human achievement and celebrate inclusivity.

The top 10 entries will be shared with the @TheFilmZone, @ImagineEntertainment and @Adobe communities on Instagram. The winner will be determined by a panel of judges including creative executives from Imagine Entertainment, Adobe and The Film Zone and will receive the opportunity to have their short taken through the development process with Imagine Entertainment.

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Imagine will help the winning filmmaker develop their short into a full-length feature, documentary or TV show and help the filmmaker pursue financing and worldwide distribution. The winner will also receive cash prizes, mentorship from Imagine Entertainment executives, access to Adobe tools and an all-expenses-paid trip to attend Adobe MAX, Adobe’s creativity conference in Miami Beach (Oct. 14 to Oct. 16), where their film will be screened for attendees.

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“Imagine has always believed that great stories are all around us and the next generation of filmmakers are more likely to be discovered on social platforms than anywhere else,” said Imagine Brands’ IP & Partnerships President Marc Gilbar. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Adobe to create new pathways for storytellers to find and grow their audience perhaps even on the big screen.”

The collaboration offers access from Adobe to Creative Cloud tools like Premiere Pro, Express, Photoshop and After Effects, along with mentorships to unleash filmmakers’ creative potential. Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment will provide industry advisors who will help creators expand their stories into longer formats, while The Film Zone will provide a platform and visibility with its social community of nearly 3 million film lovers and creators.

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to create and to express themselves, and we believe it’s our responsibility to give diverse voices a greater platform to tell their stories and reach their full potential,” said Adobe Chief Brand Officer Heather Freeland. “The ‘From Minutes to Movies ShortFest’ can give creators and filmmakers the springboard to launch into the next phase of their careers through greater visibility and mentorship – and we cannot wait to be inspired and learn from the next generation of storytellers out there.”

“As a community of film lovers and creators ourselves, being able to shape and nurture talent with the likes of Imagine Entertainment and Adobe is monumental,” said The Film Zone founder Christian Dwarica. “We have a passionate following of over 2.8 million individuals and we can’t wait to elevate this next generation of talented filmmakers and creatives.”

Submissions for the festival are open July 9 – August 25 and should embody the thematic perspective of stories that inspire human achievement and celebrate inclusivity. There is no fee for submission to the contest. Entries can be up to 25 minutes long, with no restrictions on genre. All original content within an entry must have been filmed within the past two years. For more information and to apply, visit www.FromMinutesToMovies.com.

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