(1) ISFF HANDBOOK DRAFT

INDIAN SCHOOL AL MAABELA

(ISO 9001: 2015 CERTIFIED INSTITUTION)

Under the aegis of the Board of Directors, Indian School Al Maabela
is organizing the third edition of INDIAN SCHOOL FILM
FESTIVAL : ISFF 2021 which will provide a great opportunity for
students in displaying their creative talents of film making.

ISFF 2021 EVENT DESCRIPTION

ISFF 2021 comprises SHORT FILMS under 2 domains with 10
genres at 7 levels:

DOMAINS: i) Competitive showcase

ii) Non competitive showcase

LEVELS :

i) Senior : Grade IX TO XII
ii) Junior : Grade VI TO VIII
iii) Sub junior: KG to V
iv) SEN
v) Open category: KG TO XII
vi) Faculty category
vii) Parents Category

Each domain comprises of various film genres:

DOMAIN GENRE CATEGORY
SENIOR
COMPETITIVE 1. DOCUMENTARY SENIOR
SHOWCASE 2. EXPERIMENTAL JUNIOR
SENIOR
3. PSA: PUBLIC SERVICE JUNIOR
ANNOUNCEMENT OPEN
SENIOR
4. MUSICAL VIDEO JUNIOR
5. AD MAKING SUB JUNIOR
FACULTY
6. ANIMATED FILM FACULTY
7. INSTRUCTIONAL FILM

8. ENTERTAINMENT PARENTS

NON 9. BIOPIC SEN
COMPETITIVE 10. ECO FILM:GREEN GLOBE SUB JUNIOR
SHOWCASE

REGISTRATION

 A school can register any number of teams for
each category.

 The school is requested to register for the
competition through the link specified for
their school on or before 25 September 2021

Name of the Indian School Link for registration

Indian School Al Ghubra
Indian School Al Maabela
Indian School Al Seeb
Indian School Bousher
Indian School Buraimi
Indian School Darsait
Indian School Ibra
Indian School Ibri
Indian School Jalan
Indian School Khasab
Indian School Masirah
Indian School Muladha

Indian School Muscat
Indian School Nizwa
Indian School Rustaq
Indian School Saham
Indian School Salalah
Indian School Sohar
Indian School Sur
Indian School Thumrait
Indian School Wadi Kabir

ONLINE TRAINING :

 Online workshop for registered team will be
conducted during December. The training
session will be on the prime aspects of film
making by technical experts.

FILM SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Schools must upload their films in the prescribed format to
the respective Google Drive Folders provided by below. The
link to Google Drive Folders will be open from 8:00 a.m. on 28
December 2021 to 5:00 p.m. on 6 January 2022 for uploading
the entries.

Name of the Indian Link to google drive
School

Indian School Al Ghubra
Indian School Al Maabela
Indian School Al Seeb
Indian School Bousher
Indian School Buraimi
Indian School Darsait
Indian School Ibra
Indian School Ibri
Indian School Jalan
Indian School Khasab
Indian School Masirah
Indian School Muladha
Indian School Muscat

Indian School Nizwa

Indian School Rustaq

Indian School Saham

Indian School Salalah

Indian School Sohar

Indian School Sur

Indian School Thumrait

Indian School Wadi Kabir

Film Submission Format

 Video Submission should be in .mp4 format and maximum
possible video resolution is 1080p (1920x1080), 16:9 aspect ratio.

 The end credits /Disclaimer of your film should include following
text:
*Note – The following certification is to be given by the
participating teams -

 We certify that the short film made is only for educational purpose
as a part of Indian School Film Fest under the aegis of the BOD,
Oman.

 We certify that all rules and norms in accordance with the law of
the country have been followed.

 We certify that the entire content of the film is an original creation
of the team.

 Video should contain details such as cast, crew, name of the
participating school etc. as ‘end credits’

JURY AND AWARDS

 Screening of all submitted films will be done by
a selection panel .

 Shortlisted films will be eligible for variety of
awards bestowed by our juries, comprising of
individuals with original and diverse points of
view from worldwide film community.

Judgement Criteria

 A jury comprising technical experts in the field will adjudge
the short films based on the following criteria - Theme &
Message, Direction, Editing and Effects, Script, Acting, Music
and Screenplay

 The decision of the jury shall be final and binding on all
participants.

Awards

 Prizes will be awarded in the competitive showcase domain.

 Following prizes will be awarded from each genre

AWARDS GENRES

Best Documentary Documentary

Best cinematography Documentary ,PSA,Entertainment

Ambient & Experiential Experiential, Animation,

Award Entertainment

Best Film Craft Experimental, Musical,

PSA,Animation,Entertainment

Best Creative Technology Experimental,AD,animation

The #OMG award Experimental, Musical

The Creativeness PSA,AD

effectiveness Award

Best voice over PSA
Best Music director Musical
Best Score Musical, Entertainment
Best Song Musical
Best editing Musical
Best librettist award Musical
Ad effectiveness Award AD
Creative Director AD
Best digital Design Instructional, Animation
Best Print craft PSA, instructional
Creative lecturer award Instructional
Best movie Entertainment
Best story Entertainment

Best dialogues Entertainment
Animation Magic Award Animation
Best screenplay Entertainment
Best performer Entertainment

 Award winning films under competitive domain will be live
streamed.

 All Films under Non competitive domain will be showcased
and will be given Merit Award.

 Certificate of participation will be given to all the participants
of ISFF.

 Entry and participation of films imply unconditional
acceptance of these terms and regulations.

Important dates

 Last Date for Registration: 25 September 2021
 Access to Google Drive Folderto Upload Entries: 28

December 2021 to 6 January 2022

Online Workshop: December 2021

 Streaming of the Events: 26 January 2022
28 January 2022
29 January 2022
4 February 2022
5 February 2022

 Inaugural Ceremony: 26 January 2022

 Valedictory Function: 5 February 2022

GENRES AT A GLANCE CATEGORY ANNEXURE

GENRE SENIOR C
11. DOCUMENTARY
12. EXPERIMENTAL SENIOR D

13. PSA: PUBLIC SERVICE JUNIOR E
ANNOUNCEMENT
SENIOR F
14. MUSICAL VIDEO
15. AD MAKING JUNIOR

16. ANIMATED FILM OPEN G
17. INSTRUCTIONAL FILM
SENIOR H

JUNIOR

SUB JUNIOR

FACULTY I

FACULTY J

18. ENTERTAINMENT PARENTS K

19. BIOPIC SEN L
20. ECO FILM:GREEN GLOBE
SUB JUNIOR

GENERAL RULES FOR ALL GENRES

 Scenes showing acts, which require statutory warning to be added.

 The film should conform to the standards of school competitions
and respect the culture and traditions of Oman. The film should
take caution not to hurt the sentiments of any stakeholder of the
society.

 The film shall not exceed 10 (ten) minutes, excluding the
beginning and end credits. {Except for AD making : refer the
annexure} Please note that films exceeding the time limit will be
disqualified.All video material used in the short film must be
filmed/created within the month of November & December 2021.
No previously shot video footage is to be included. Using animated
footage is accepted, if it has been created within the said
timeframe.

 The film is to be in the English language only. If any dialogues are
used in a language other than English, the translation of the same
in English should be shown as ‘subtitles’ on the same frame.

 Film must not contain any copyrighted work(s) belonging to any
third party unless the participants have a license to use such works
in the film.

 The production team should consist of 5 to 10 members; however
there is no restriction on the number of teams per school.

 Synopsis or Summary of the project should be sent along with the
video.

 The theme, frames and the music track should be original. Films
submitted previously for any other competition will not be
considered for this contest. If there is an accusation of plagiarism,
the entry will be disqualified. In case of any argument or dispute
and if there is an appeal on the same, the jury’s decision will be
final.

 Please remember to check your movie file. If it is not viewable, it
will be disqualified.

FILM GENRES : RULES AND REGULATIONS

ANNEXURE C
1.DOCUMENTARY FILM

 Theme :
 ‘India @75’
 Oman Adventure
 The documentary can be taken on any one of the four modes or it
may even contain all
 the four modes of treatment: observational, expositional, poetic
and reflexive.
 The documentary can carry voice-over, direct and indirect
interviews, archival footage, re-enactment, montage and
exposition. Images and videos depicting the attractions of Oman,
are to be portrayed in the most positive manner.
 The documentary should deal exclusively with facts and events
meant for educative and informative purposes. It may include
subtitles, if required.
 The key elements to be focused are the significance of the subject,
depth of research, purpose of creation, quality of factual
information, unbiased presentation and clarity of narration, suitable
background score and video effects.
 The production team should consist of 5 to 8 members; however
there is no restriction on the number of teams per school.
 The duration of the documentary should be minimum 7 minutes
not exceeding 10 minutes excluding the beginning and end credits.
 Credits: At the conclusion of the documentary students must
provide a list of acknowledgements and credits for all sources. The
credits should be brief –not bibliographic citations and not
annotated.
Judgement Criteria

 Historical quality
 Relation to the theme
 Cinematography
 Clarity of presentation

Film in Documentary competition genre is eligible for
Best Documentary
Best Cinematography

ANNEXURE D
2.EXPERIMENTAL FILM GENRE

 A film practice that explores cinema's capacity to manipulate
light, motion, space, and time, and/or expresses the filmmaker's
personal artistic vision.

 Experimental film, experimental cinema, or avant-garde
cinema is a mode of filmmaking that rigorously re-evaluates
cinematic conventions and explores non-narrative forms or
alternatives to traditional narratives or methods of working, like
ONE SHOT MOVIE: NON NARRATIVE OR SILENT
MOVIE.

 Theme : Open
Judgement criteria

 Artistry & Creativity
 Technical excellence and editing
 Innovation
 Thematic value
 Impact

Films in Experimental competition genre is eligible for
Best Ambient & Experiential Award

Best Film Craft

Best Performer

Best Creative Technology Award

The #OMG Award

ANNEXURE E
3.PSA: PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

 A public service announcement (PSA) is a message in the
public interest disseminated without charge, with the
objective of raising awareness of, and changing public
attitudes and behavior towards, a social issue.

 Theme :
 Personal Hygiene
 CommunityHealth
 Mental Health
 Screen time
 Cyber security
 Bullying
Judgement criteria
 Idea: Adhering to theme,engaging, original, creative
 Voice and emotion conveyed
 Message effectiveness
 Word choice( phrases ad words)
 Flow
 Call to Action
Films In PSA Competition Genre Is Eligible For
The Creative Effectiveness Award

Best Film Craft

Best Cinematography

Best Writing

Best Voice Over

ANNEXURE F
4.MUSICAL GENRE

 Musical film is a film genre in which songs by
the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes
accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot
or develop the film's characters, but in some cases, they serve
merely as breaks in the storyline.

 Lyrics and music should be original
 Theme: Open theme

Judgement Criteria
 Visual Artistry
 Tone Quality and intonation
 Repertoire Effectiveness
 Performance effectiveness
 Group work skills
 Coordination effectiveness
 Quality of Technique
 General Effect

Films In Musical Competition Genre Is Eligible For
Best Music Director

Best Score

Best Song

Best Editing

Best Cinematography

Best Film Craft

Best Librettist Award

The # OMG Award

ANNEXURE G
5.AD MAKING

Duration of the advertisement 30 -45 seconds.
 Each team can consist 5 to 8 students.
 Theme: “Open choice of the participants” with a
valuable message.
 Originality: The work should be original. (Should not
be an ‘Ad’ already in use in the industry)
 The advertisements that were sent for the earlier
contests will be disqualified.
 Student can use video camera(s), video editing
software, animation software, images etc. for the
creation of their advertisement.
 Care should be taken not to project any unparliamentary
words/unethical scenes.
 The theme, dialogues, animations, costumes and make
up should be appropriate for school students respecting
the culture & traditions of Oman.
 Judgement criteria
 Concept
 Creativity & Presentation
 Customer Persuasion
 Overall Impact
 Message conveyed

Ad Film Competition Category Is Eligible For
Ad Effectiveness Award

Creative Director

Creative Technology Award

ANNEXURE H
6.ANIMATED FILM GENRE

 Animated Films are ones in which individual drawings, paintings,
or illustrations are photographed frame by frame (stop-frame
cinematography). Usually, each frame differs slightly from the one
preceding it, giving the illusion of movement when frames are
projected in rapid succession at 24 frames per second.

 It Animated film should be of Children’s Animated film sub
category

 Theme:
 Moral stories
 Emotions: Friendship, Discipline, Respect
 Scientific concepts

Judgement Criteria
 Planning documentation and storyboards
 Character, Story, theme or message
 Technical skills and editing
 Shot composition
 Process and contribution

Films In Animated Competition Genre Is Eligible For
The Animation Magic Award

Best Film Craft

Best Digital Design

Creative Technology Award

Ambient & Experiential Award

ANNEXURE I
7.INSTRUCTIONAL FILM

 Films that address topics that children study in school are just as

effective as other teaching materials. They see the world from

another perspective and provide teachers with a new tool to enrich

their lessons.

 Theme:
 Social science and Geography films
 Literature and art films.
 Action coach for special children

Judgment Criteria
 Accuracy and Visual appeal
 Alignment to standards, depth of knowledge
 Ease of support
 Engagement ability

Films In Instructional Competition Genre Is Eligible For
The Instructional Film Award

Best Digital Design

Best Print Craft

Creative Lecturer Award

ANNEXURE J

8.ENTERTAINMENT FILM GENRE

The film should be of the following type

 Comedy
 Drama
 Family entertainer
 Retro
 Judgment Criteria
 Originality
 Creativity
 Plot
 Pacing & Structure
 Characters
 Cinematography
 Sound Quality
 Entertainment value
 Dialogue

Films In Entertainment Competition Genre Is Eligible For
Best Movie
Best Ambient & Experiential Award
Best Film Craft
Best Cinematography
Best Screenplay
Best Performer
Best Sound Score
Best Story
Best Dialogues

ANNEXURE K
9.BIOPIC: SEN

Biopic can be in the form of documentary which includes the the
experience of the parents and interviews with the family members and
doctors.The quest of the child and family to overcome the challenge.

ANNEXURE L
10.Eco Film: GREEN GLOBE

 Theme : Nature: Nurture
 Duration 5-8 minutes
 Film can be made with a solo casting or team with less than

5 participants.