Filmmakers registering in the 2024 Ocean City Film Challenge must complete this form for eligibility. Serious inquiries only as registration is limited. In completing this form, filmmakers acknowledge that their application is subject to review.
The Ocean City Film Challenge is the annual contest by the Ocean City Film Festival. This contest is for filmmakers to create a short film in or about Ocean City for a chance to win prizes, bragging rights, and the opportunity for their work to be immortalized in the Ocean City Film Festival catalog.

Line of Dialogue: “Don’t pick at it, you’ll only make it worse.”
Prop: Neon sign

TIMELINE

– Monday, July 1st: Prop and line of dialogue announced, registration is open.
– Sunday, July 21st: Registration closed.
– Thursday, August 1st: Final deliverables due.
– Saturday, August 10th: Film screening at the Art League of Ocean City.

RULES and REGULATIONS

– All films must be shot between the dates of July 1st and July 31st.
– Filming can only commence after registration. Filmmakers must secure documentation of clearance for any copyright-protected materials in their submission.
– Films must not exceed a run-time of 15 minutes.
– Films must feature the designated prop and line of dialogue denoted in the registration form.
– Films must be shot in or about Ocean City. This means that a film can be produced in Ocean City, in a way that is visible within the film. Or the film can be shot outside of Ocean City, but Ocean City must be central to the premise of the film.
– Films must follow a cinematic narrative structure. This means that the films must tell an actual story in the form of a fiction narrative. No vacation footage, music videos, or any such media that would not be considered traditional cinema.
– Deliverables include: MP4 or MOV file of the film, high-resolution poster, 2-3 still images from the film, a text document including the title, run-time, synopsis, and credits.
– Failure to comply with the final deadline requirements may result in disqualification from future OCFF events.

PRIZES
These prizes are presented by the Art League of Ocean City and the OCFF sponsors. And to include that all participating filmmakers will receive an all-access pass to the 2025 OC Film Festival for themselves and a guest.
– 1st Place: Swag bag and hotel stay for duration of 2025 OCFF
– 2nd Place: Swag bag and $50 cash
– 3rd Place: Swag bag