The Missouri Review's
Audio & Video Contest 2009

Now accepting entries in Audio/Voice-Only Lit and Video Documentary

Winners receive a total of $4,500 in prizes.

First prize in each category receives $1,500, second prize $500. Five entries from both categories will be selected for a $100 Editor's Prize. All entrants receive a 1-year subscription to The Missouri Review’s Print or Digital Edition.

Entries in both categories will be considered for publication in The Missouri Review or on our website. The winning video will be screened at the 2010 True/False Film Festival in Columbia, MO.

Check out last year's winners here.

 

Audio & Video Contest
Guidelines 2009

Category Guidelines:

Audio/Voice-Only Literature

If you have a short story, a piece of creative nonfiction, narrative essay or poetry that you think worthy of recording, enter this category. All literary genres are considered. Pieces in this category can be solely author-read or contain other tracks of sound, voice and/or recorded interviews. Entries are judged on literary merit, technical proficiency and, most importantly, how the author uses audio media to futher the literary strength of his or her piece. Note: Poets may enter one or more poems as a single entry as long as the total recorded time does not exceed the 10-minute limit. We encourage writers and producers to make innovative use of recording technology as a means of furthering their literary craft.
Time: 10 minutes or less.
First Prize: $1,500
Second prize: $500

 

Video Documentary Short

This broad category includes everything from a filmed scene that stands on its own to a videographed 10-minute documentary play, interview or nonfiction narrative. In addition to short documentaries on any subject or historic period, interviews of artists and artist presentations are welcome, as well topics of interest to a general literary audience. Entries will be judged on strength of the script and subject, ability to meet its objective (stated or unstated i.e., a comedic short that’s funny, or an author interview that is informative, fresh and insightful), technical facility including sound and lighting, reporting, presenting and/or acting. For inspiration, check out last year’s winner in the Video Documentary Category on missourireview.com, and visit the 2010 True/False Film Festival website.
Time: 10 minutes or less.
First Prize: $1,500
Second Prize: $500

A basic how-to guide for producing simple voice recordings is available here (MS Word file). Free recording software such is available from a variety of sites such as CNET and Audacity.

Editors’ Choice Award

5 finalists selected from both categories will receive the Editors’ Choice Award and a cash prize of $100 each. Winning entries will be featured on The Missouri Review Online and made available to subscribers. All entries must be produced in English.

Entry Fee: $24 per title (or 10-minutes of poetry)

Multiple entries are welcome, accompanied by payment for each title you wish to have considered. Thus two entries must be accompanied by a check or money order for $48, three $72 and so on.

Technical Requirements:

Audio entries are accepted on CD only. CDs should not contain any audio other than entry material. Submit video entries on DVD as video that can be read by a standard DVD player for TV or computer screening, or submit as data formatted for standard media players (.wmp, .mp3, .mp4, .avi).  Include a brief program synopsis and bio of the writer/producer.

Submissions Must Include

• a completed entry form for each entry (download the entry form)
• a copy of the entry on a CD or video DVD, labeled with writer/ producer, title and length
• a brief program synopsis (short writer/producer bio optional)
• the entry fee payment

Send Entries To

The Missouri Review Audio & Video Competition
357 McReynolds Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211

For More Information

E-mail us at: contest_question@missourireview.com