Library looking for teen Film Fest submission

It may not be the Cannes or the Sundance Film Festival, but the Voorhees Branch of the Camden County Library System is running a teen video contest that will culminate in a “Red Carpet” event with a Teen Video Film Festival of its own.

Along with the festival’s judges, the contestants, their families, friends and the general public will be welcome to attend and view all the submissions by the teen film makers on Aug. 12.

“The purpose of the contest is to celebrate and promote the creativity of our local teenagers. We want to show off the talents of young film makers and encourage those teens seeking a career in film,” said Christen Orbanus, the chief organizer of the event and the Vogelson Branch Library’s teen librarian.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, Aug. 6, and a film must be suitable for an audience of all ages — in other words it must meet the requirements of a “G” rating as established by the Motion Picture Association of America. A piece can be anywhere from three to ten minutes in length and the principal members of the crew creating the film must between 12 and 18 years old or enrolled in sixth through 12th grade as of September.

Films can use any genre and medium — comedy, drama, documentary, video, animation, music, sound effects, wherever the film maker’s creative streak takes her or him as long as the subject is presented in a manner acceptable for all ages. Films must be submitted in DVD format. All submissions will be accepted for screening.

A jury panel made up of teens and library professionals will decide the winner at a “Red Carpet Event” staged in The Corner (teen space) at the M. Allan Vogleson Region Branch Library in Voorhees on Thursday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. Registration is required.

After the initial screening, the videos will be uploaded to the Voorhees library’s teen YouTube page for viewing (www.youtube.com/CCLTeens).

The contest is free. Entry forms can be picked up in person during regular business hours at the Youth Services desk of the Vogelson Branch Library located on Laurel Rd. across from the Voorhees Town Center (formerly the Echelon Mall) or by e-mailing Christen Orbanus at corban@camdencountylibrary.org . Contestants will be notified when their submissions are received at the library.

Remember, the deadline is Friday, Aug. 6.