Crazy8s 2025
Crazy8s 2025
Crazy8s
2025
Top 40 announced Nov 13 at noon
Fun. Fast. Crazy8s!
Running since 1999, Crazy8s is an annual 8-day short filmmaking challenge that provides support and funding to 6 emerging and mid-career filmmakers to produce a short film, and provides training opportunities to crew and cast. After a Gala Screening and Afterparty, the films go on to be seen by audiences worldwide at film festivals and on other distribution channels.
Selected Projects
Top 40 Quarter-Finalists
In alphabetical order by project title:
Top 40 will be announced on November 13, 2024, 12 pm.
Top 12 Semi-Finalists
In alphabetical order by project title:
Top 12 will be announced on November 27, 2024, 12 pm.
Top 6 Finalists
In alphabetical order by project title:
Top 6 will be announced on January 15, 2025, 12 pm.
Rules + Regulations
2025 Rules & Regulations
Crazy8s accepts all genres of live action, scripted short film pitches including drama, comedy, science fiction, horror, fantasy, musical, mockumentary, etc. We do not accept animation or documentary pitches.
Crazy8s Film Society believes in equality, diversity and community. The program welcomes contributions from all, and is not limited to, people of varied age, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender-identity, language, race, sexual orientation, and religious views.
Awards + Prizes
- $2,000 Cash
- Up tp $50,000 In-Kind Sponsorship for Professional Production Gear/Services
- Professional Colour Timing + Sound Mixing
- Professional Story Editing
- Professional Casting Services
- Production Insurance
- Professional Directing/Producing/Post-Production Mentorship
- …and more
Rules
By submitting a project for consideration to Crazy8s, you hereby acknowledge that you have read, understand and agree to all of the following terms and conditions (the “Rules and Regulations”).
The Rules and Regulations are subject to all Canadian federal, provincial, regional and municipal laws, regulations, rules, and restrictions (collectively, the “Requirements”), including those relating to COVID-19 and public health and safety and welfare where required.
The Rules and Regulations may be updated, supplemented, and/or amended at any time by Crazy8s in order to comply with the Requirements. All dates, deadlines, events, and schedules set forth herein are subject to change, postponement, and/or cancellation due to circumstances relating to COVID-19 if applicable.
All applicants, cast members, writers, directors, producers, and crew members shall comply at all times with the Requirements and any other rules, requirements established by Crazy8s throughout all stages of their participation in the Crazy8s Program, including in all pitching, editing, and production activities.
General
Eligibility
Directors, Writers, or Producers of a project are eligible to be the primary applicant for Crazy8s.
ALL Director(s), Writer(s), and Producer(s), and either the 1st or 2nd Lead Actor of a project, must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada, and must also be residents of British Columbia. Proof of residency will be required at the Top 40 Quarterfinalist stage.
Applicants must be at least 19 years of age. Full-time time high school students are not eligible to apply. Post-secondary students are eligible to apply but should be aware that the time commitment for winning projects is heavy and may not be compatible with full-time studies.
Applicants are ineligible to apply to the Crazy8s Program if they have worked for the Crazy8s Film Society in the year preceding the present application.
The project Director may also be the Writer, or the Writer may also be the Producer. However, the roles of Producer and Director must be filled by different people.
Directors may take a Producer credit but cannot be the Lead Producer on the project.
Past Crazy8s Directors for a winning project may not re-apply as Directors, but can work on Crazy8s films in other roles, including Lead Producer, for subsequent years.
Crazy8s accepts all genres of live action, scripted short film pitches including drama, comedy, science fiction, horror, fantasy, musical, etc. We do not accept animation or documentary pitches.
Film concepts must be based on an original idea. Chain of Title documentation will be required proving that applicants have the rights to tell the story. If the short film concept is based on a real person, real event, a short story, a poem, a play, or any other original work, it is essential to have written permission from the person who created the original concept. This includes other people’s work that inspired the current developing short original film.
Applicants are free to adapt any work that is currently in the public domain, which includes work created by people who have been dead more than 50 years.
The full run time of all completed Crayz8s short film projects must be at least 5 minutes in length, but shall not exceed 18 minutes in length, including on-screen credits. This translates into approximately 5-10 pages of script. The maximum script length is not negotiable.
Canadian Certification (CAVCO)
All directors, writers, and producers of each Top 6 Finalist team must be Canadian Citizens or Canadian Permanent Residents.
Each team’s attached Directors, Writers, and Producers proceeding to the Top 40 Quarterfinalist stage and live pitch session, must each submit a CAVCO ID as proof of their Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Resident status prior to their live pitch.
The Top 6 Finalist teams/projects must meet CAVCO guidelines for Canadian Production, which states that the production must have 6 out of 10 Canadian content points as follows:
- 2 Points Director (must be Canadian or Permanent Resident)
- 2 Points Writer (must be Canadian or Permanent Resident)
- 1 Point Lead Actor (either 1st or 2nd lead must be Canadian or Permanent Resident)
- 1 Point 2nd Lead Actor
- 1 Point Cinematographer
- 1 Point Production Designer
- 1 Point Editor
- 1 Point Music Composer
- Each Top 6 team is responsible for making the CAVCO application or CRTC and application after the Gala Screening and Afterparty.
Copyright
The Crazy8s Film Society will own the finished films. Filmmakers are encouraged to screen their films at international film festivals and use the film to promote themselves as filmmakers. The filmmakers are responsible for their own film festival entry fees.
Filmmakers will retain the rights to produce sequels, feature films, television series, web series, or any other production based on their Crazy8s short films.
The Crazy8s Film Society will work to sell the finished films to Canadian broadcasters and other distribution methods. We also encourage the filmmakers to take an active hand in the distribution of their films.
Royalties
A percentage (50%) of the net proceeds after expenses from all sales will go to the filmmaker(s) as a royalty. It is up to each winning team to decide how that Royalty will be split amongst the team members, but it is advised that the Director(s), Writer(s), and Producer(s) share any royalties received. Filmmakers keep 100% of any received film festival cash awards.
Performers will also see a royalty from gross sales, administered through the Union of BC Performers.
The Crazy8s Film Society’s portion of distribution proceeds go back into the Society to help fund the program in future years.
Schedule
Note: One or more of the foregoing dates and/or events may be postponed, cancelled, rescheduled, conducted online, or subject to restrictions on attendance due to COVID-19 concerns and health and safety, if required.
2024
- September 9 (Mon) launch – Crazy8s 2025 registration opens at 12:00 pm NOON
- September 22 (Sun) Registration and Information Session – Online
- October 18 (Fri) – Submission Deadline – 11:59 pm
- November 13 (Wed) – Top 40 Announcement – 12:00 pm NOON
- November 23 (Sat), November 24 (Sun) – In-Person Pitches – In Venue
- November 27 (Wed) – Top 12 Announcement – 12:00 pm NOON
- December 13 (Fri) – First Full Script Draft Deadline – 12:00 pm NOON + Script Coordination Workshop – Online
- December 14 (Sat) – Story Editing Workshop – In Venue
- December 15 (Sun) – Table Reads – In Venue
- December 18 (Wed) – Second Full Script Draft Deadline – 12:00 pm NOON
2025
- January 3 (Fri) – Final Full Script Draft Deadline 12:00 pm NOON
- January 15 (Wed) – Top 6 Announcement – 12:00 pm NOON
- January 18 (Sat) – Production Workshop #1 – In-Venue
- January 19 (Sun) – Producer Workshop – In-Venue/Online
- February 15 (Sat) – Production Workshop #2 – In-Venue
- February 16 (Sun) – Equipment + Post-Production Partner Meet & Greets TBA – In-Venue
- February 28 – March 2 (Fri-Sun) – Production Days
- March 3 – 7 (Mon–Fri) – Post-Production Days
- March 7 (Fri) – Final Completed Film Delivery – 6:00 pm + QC Screenings
- March 29 (Sat) GALA SCREENING + AFTERPARTY – The Centre and Science World
- April 4 (Fri) – All Final Paperwork Due
- April 5 (Sat) – Marketing and Distribution Workshop
- April 6 (Sun) – Directing Seminar
Program Phase 1 - 4 (Pitch to Production)
Phase 1: Video Pitch + Script Sample
(See SCHEDULE above for specific dates).
At least one of the Director(s), Writer(s), or Producer(s) must participate in the video pitch.
Both your video pitch and your script sample must be submitted by the registration/submission deadline or your application is disqualified.
Video pitches longer than 3 minutes will be disqualified. The pitch should contain the beginning, middle and end of the story. (See FAQ on the Crazy8s website for more information.)
Each video pitch must start with a slate containing the name of the project and name of the Director(s), Writer(s), and Producer(s) (if Producer is attached at the time of application). Please mention any other attached team members that the jury should know about, e.g: proposed Lead Actor, Cinematographer, Editor, etc. Please do not submit a completed short film, as this will disqualify your application.
Video pitches and script samples are assessed by a panel of industry professionals and Crazy8s alumni. Crazy8s staff do not adjudicate the video pitches or script samples.
Your script sample must be of the project you’re pitching. It should be submitted in industry-standard script/screenplay format and must include the first three pages of your current script draft, plus a title page that has your script title, the date of the draft, your name, and your contact information i.e. email address, phone number. (See FAQ section for more information)
- You can upload your script sample (PDF files only) under the “Files & Attachments” section at the bottom right side of your project page. Please do not submit a script sample that is longer than 3 pages (not counting the title page), since the jury will not read past the first 3 pages.
Phase 2: Live Pitch – Top 40 Quarterfinalists
See SCHEDULE above for specific dates).
The Top 40 Quarterfinalists selected for the live pitch session will be contacted by Crazy8s in mid-November to schedule a time to pitch in-person to a jury of industry professionals (may include Crazy8s alumni) on a weekend in late November.
Each team’s attached Directors, Writers, and Producers must each submit a CAVCO ID prior to their live pitch session, as proof of their Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Resident status.
Each team is asked to submit a digital one-sheet document with a short synopsis of their project and a bio of the Director prior to their live pitch session, and to bring six hard copies with them to the live pitch session.
A Director and a Writer must be attached to the project by the time the project is pitched to the live pitch jury.
If a project/team does not yet have an attached Producer at the in-person pitch, a Producer must be secured no later than the end of November or early December.
The Director must be present for the live pitch. If the Director cannot attend in person, they must be available by videoconference (e.g. Zoom, Google Meet)
Each team will have 5 minutes to pitch their story and themselves to the jury, followed by 5 minutes to respond to questions from the jury.
No reels are permitted as part of your live pitch – this is primarily a verbal pitch. The live pitch jury is separate from the video pitch jury, and will not have seen the video pitches or script samples from the first judging round. Crazy8s staff do not adjudicate the live pitches.
Note: The live pitch sessions may be conducted completely online if required by public health and safety and welfare guidelines related to COVID-19.
Phase 3: Script Development – Top 12 Semifinalists
(See SCHEDULE above for specific dates).
The Top 12 Semifinalists selected to go into the story editing phase must sign a legal disclaimer stating that their film concept is based on their original idea to which they have the rights; or the filmmakers will need to provide documentation showing they have the rights to adapt the original idea. This documentation must be provided by the First Full Script Draft submission deadline in early December.
Each Top 12 Team will be assigned an industry professional Story Editor who will work with the project/team until delivery of the Final Full Script Draft to the script evaluation jury. Consultation with the Script Editor may be conducted in person or online or both. The Writer(s), Director(s), and Producer(s) must attend the first Story Editing Workshop consultation session.
The Top 12 Teams will deliver a final full script draft, with a minimum length of 5 pages and a maximum length of 10 pages, in an industry-standard script format.
The Script Editor may continue to be attached to the project/team if it is selected as one of the Top 6 Teams.
Note: Story Editing consultation sessions may be conducted completely online if required by public health and safety and welfare guidelines related to COVID-19.
Phase 4: Production + Workshops – Top 6 Finalists
(See SCHEDULE above for specific dates).
The script evaluation jury (the same as the live pitch jury) will read and evaluate the scripts and select the final Top 6 teams and projects that will go into production. Crazy8s staff do not select the final teams/projects.
Once selected the Writer(s), Producer(s), and Director(s) of the Top 6 Teams must sign a Transfer of Rights Agreement with Crazy8s Film Society before going into pre-production and production.
The Top 6 teams will receive upwards of $50,000+ in camera, lighting and grip packages, $2,000 cash, and mentorship and workshops throughout the duration of the production and delivery of their final films. Director Mentors, Producer Mentors, and Post Production Mentors will be available to the teams.
The Top 6 Teams are required to attend a series of workshops leading up to production. (See SCHEDULE above for workshop dates).
All Top 6 teams will be in production for 3 days, and in post-production for 5 days, in early March. All final completed films will be delivered to Crazy8s Film Society by 6:00 pm on the final day of post-production.
The final completed films will be shown at a Gala Screening and Afterparty slated for late March or April.
Note: The Gala Screening and Afterparty may be postponed, cancelled, rescheduled, conducted online, or subject to restrictions on attendance due to COVID-19 concerns or to comply with the Requirements.
General Terms + Conditions
Crazy8s Film Society reserves the right, in its sole and unfettered discretion, to cancel, postpone, or reschedule any or all of the Crazy8s film program or any events or activities associated therewith, due to COVID-19 concerns or in order to comply with the Requirements.
Applicants and their crews hereby release, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Crazy8s Film Society, its members, directors, employees, and personnel from any and all claims, liabilities, costs, expenses, and damages for any and all damage, loss or liability (including, without limitation, claims arising from negligence, or relating to personal injury, property damage, illness, and wrongful death) suffered as a result of, in connection with, or arising from their participation in the Crazy8s film program or any events or activities associated therewith including as a result of exposure to COVID-19 from any other individual participating in or associated with the Crazy8s film program.
Applicants and their crews further release, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Crazy8s Film Society, its members, directors, employees, and personnel from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, costs, expenses, and damages due to the cancellation, postponement, or rescheduling of any or all of the Crazy8s film program at any time for any reason, including due to COVID-19 concerns or if required to comply with the Requirements.
By applying to the Crazy8s film program each applicant and their team consents to provide Crazy8s Film Society their names, city of residence, photographs, voice and/or image for publicity purposes in all media, without payment, compensation, or notification.
Crazy8s Film Society reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Crazy8s film program due to force majeure, or circumstances or situations beyond their reasonable control such as strikes, lock-outs, labour disputes, war, riot, insurrection, earthquake, terrorism, civil commotion, fire, flood, accident, storm or any other act of nature.
Guidelines + FAQs
2025 Guidelines & FAQs
How Does Crazy8s Work
Submit a short film concept in a 3-minute video pitch, along with the first 3 pages of your script. A jury of industry professionals and independent film community peers evaluates these submissions.
40 quarterfinalists pitch live, in person, to a separate jury of industry professionals and independent film community peers.
12 semifinalists workshop their full script drafts with professional story editors, and submit a final draft for evaluation by the live pitch jury.
6 finalist winners receive $2,000 each, and an in-kind production package and post-production services worth up to $50,000 provided by sponsors from the local film industry and community.
These 6 teams must complete their short films within the same 8-day timeframe.
The finished films and teams are celebrated at a Gala Screening followed by an Afterparty, the largest single-evening film screening event in Vancouver, attended by members of the independent filmmaking community, industry professionals, and the general public.
Note: If required, production and all public events will be in compliance with government health and safety protocols pertaining to COVID-19.
How do I register/submit for Crazy8s?
Registration, fee payment, and pitch package submission are online via our FilmFreeway page.
Submissions are only accepted via FilmFreeway. Crazy8s does not accept submissions through any other platform.
The primary registrant and all key creative team members (producer, director, writer, lead actor) must be either Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status will be required if a project moves on to the quarterfinal stage.
Online registration starts in early September and closes in mid-to-late October at 11:59pm on the closing date.
After registration, you have up to the closing date/time to submit your pitch package, which includes an up to 3-minute video pitch and a 3-page script sample.
There is typically an online Registration and Pitch Information Session (online) in late September featuring Crazy8s alumni and jurors, providing further information about the program and insight to what makes for an effective Crazy8s submission and pitch, followed by a Q&A with attendees.
What types of projects does Crazy8s accept?
Crazy8s accepts all genres of live action, scripted narrative short film pitches, e.g. drama, comedy, science fiction, horror, fantasy, musical, mockumentary, etc.
Crazy8s does not accept animation or documentary pitches.
Do I need a producer in place to register/submit to Crazy8s?
Registrants are not required to have a producer in place before the registration/submission deadline.
However! Having at least a lead producer on board by the time you tape and submit your video pitch, can help assure the judges you will be able to successfully complete the film that you are pitching within the 8-day timeframe, especially if the project seems ambitious.
If you are selected as a quarterfinalist and you don’t have a producer in place by the time of your live pitch, you can expect the jury to ask how you plan to find one, and to have your response factored into their evaluation.
It is highly recommended that you attach at least one producer to your team as early in the process as possible.
Can I both direct and be a lead producer on my project, or do the key creative roles have to be held by different people?
Crazy8s does not allow a director to also be a lead producer, though a director can receive a producing credit. To help provide the best chance for success, the Crazy8s timeframe is too tight for one person to both direct and be an active lead producer.
Other key creative role combinations, such as Producer/Writer or Director/Writer, are acceptable.
Crazy8s does not enforce limitations on the number of directors, or producers, or writers etc. on any project. The goal is for participating teams to make the best films possible within the timeframe.
Who selects the final film projects for Crazy8s each year?
There are two separate jury panels through three rounds of judging – one jury for the initial video pitch stage, and another jury for the live pitches and final script evaluation.
The video pitches/script sample submissions are evaluated by a combination of Crazy8s alumni filmmakers and other industry professionals.
The 40 quarterfinalists will be invited to pitch live, in-person, to another jury of industry professionals that may also include Crazy8s alumni filmmakers.
The live pitch jury is completely separate from the video pitch jury. The live pitch jury will not have viewed any of the video pitches or seen any of the script sample pages from the first round of judging, before the live pitch session.
What should the video pitch include?
Pitch your film concept to the camera, just as you would pitch live to a jury panel. You can pitch “talking heads” style, looking directly into the camera; or pitch using a combination of “talking heads” and video/audio clips and graphics.
Video pitches must not be longer than 3 minutes TRT. Video pitches longer than 3 minutes will be disqualified.
The content of the video pitch is more important than high production value. All that’s needed is to clearly see you and hear you, and to clearly see/hear any video/audio clips or graphics if you use any. Feel free to use a mobile phone camera, webcam, still camera video, etc. to tape your pitch. Video output can be in any format accepted by FilmFreeway, e.g. .mov, .mp4
Be sure to include these elements:
A slate: State your name(s) and role(s), and the title of your project. It’s usually best to start with an introduction of who you are before you tell us about your concept. You do not have to pitch alone! You can include other team members or key creatives you already have on board, but please bear in mind you still will only have 3 minutes to pitch.
A logline, the concept, and the story: A one-sentence summary of what the film is about, the idea behind it, and what happens in the story. Don’t leave anything out – the jury needs to know that you clearly understand what your story is about; how it starts, unfolds, and ends; and how you’re going to tell it.
Your team’s strengths and your vision for the project: Why the film should be made, and why you/your team should be the one(s) to make it. Show your passion for the project. You need to believe in your film, and so does the jury!
Your resources: The resources you may already have access to, or that you plan to get, to make the film – such as a lead on specific location(s) or access to specialized props, or technical personnel and gear. This is especially important if your concept is very specific e.g. is FX-heavy, a period piece, or has many locations, or seems potentially too ambitious to successfully complete in just 8 days.
Nice to have:
Example visuals or audio: Use music in the video to provide a sense of the mood of your film, and feel free to include any video clips or graphics that can provide a sense of the visual treatment.
What should the script sample submission include?
Crazy8s is a scripted narrative short filmmaking challenge. The video pitch jury will want to see that you understand your story and your project’s requirements, AND that you have started a script draft that has the potential to hook the reader/audience within the first three pages.
Be sure that your script sample includes:
The first three pages of your current script draft, plus a title page e.g: Title Page + Pages 1-3 of your script.
The script sample pages should be in industry standard script/screenplay format.
Your title page should have: The script title (this should match your project title); Your name; The date of your draft; Your contact details (email, phone).
Submit your script sample as a single PDF document.
How much time do I have for the live pitch?
You will have up to 5 minutes to pitch, and up to another 5 minutes to respond to jury questions.
At the cutoff time, you must stop pitching. There will be a timekeeper in the pitch room to keep things on track and provide a 1-minute warning.
What should the live pitch include?
If you are a quarterfinalist, in advance of your live pitch you will be asked to submit a one-sheet document in PDF format with a Director’s Statement and Synopsis of your story/project. You will also be asked to bring up to 6 hard copies of the one-sheet with you to the live pitch session.
The live pitch jury will not have viewed any of the video pitches or seen any of the script sample pages from the first round of judging. Your live pitch should include the same basic elements as your video pitch.
You do not have to pitch alone! You can include other team members or key creatives such as a producer/co-producer, co-director, or co-writer that you already have on board, but please bear in mind you still will only have 5 minutes to pitch. We strongly encourage in-person attendance as the most effective way to present your project to the jury, but have videoconferencing capability if necessary.
You can bring supplemental material, such as drawings/posters or audio/video, but this is primarily a verbal pitch and supplementary material is not necessary. The live pitches are evaluated primarily on the strength of the idea/story and the feasibility of the project for the Crazy8s timeframe. Any materials you bring should support either story or feasibility, or both. No screening equipment is provided in the room for your use, so you will need to provide your own laptop or other device – bearing in mind you only have 5 minutes, including any audio/video setup time. We also highly recommend you bring a backup alternative, in case you encounter A/V technical difficulties.
What questions will the live pitch jury ask?
After your up to 5-minute live pitch, the jury will have up to 5 minutes to ask you questions. They may ask you to clarify aspects of your pitch or story idea; or ask questions related to pre-production, production, and post-production. Be prepared to respond to questions about locations, stunts, props, FX – anything that might potentially be a challenge to your film being successfully completed in 8 days. The jury may also ask:
Why do you want to participate in Crazy8s? What makes your project a good fit for the Crazy8s program?
What is your inspiration for this story? Why should you be the one to tell this story? What gives you access to this story?
Crazy8s takes cultural and community representation seriously. If your story is set in a culture or community that is not your dominant culture or community: Why should you be the one to tell this story/what is your personal connection with the story? Do you have a plan to include filmmakers/creatives from the culture/community, besides including them as representatives and/or consultants? Do you have permission from the culture/community to tell this story? Do you plan to hire production support from the culture/community?
Crazy8s support gender parity and inclusivity. What are your plans for creating a culture of equality and inclusiveness?
What do you foresee could be a production/post production challenge for your project, and what are your plans for addressing it?
What happens if my project moves on to the Top 12 semifinalist stage?
The 12 semifinalists will attend a script coordination workshop and be paired with professional story editors, to hone their full script drafts at a story editing workshop and table read.
The final script drafts are then submitted to the live pitch jury for review. Based on the strength of these final drafts, six finalist teams/projects will be selected.
What do the Top 6 finalists receive?
The Top 6 finalist projects/teams each receive in-kind production/post-production support worth close to $50,000, mentorship and workshops, plus $2,000 cash, to help complete their films in just 8 crazy days.
The support includes an HD Camera, a lighting and grip package, casting director services, full production insurance, producer mentors and DGC-BC director mentors, some vehicle/props/costume rental discounts, some free municipal locations, online platform and cloud-based storage for required production paperwork and assets, on-line editing including title generation, colour correction, professional sound mix, credit support, and additional program mentorship throughout the process.
What is the schedule for the Crazy8s program?
Please refer to the Rules and Regulations section for key dates for the current year.
Where can I see the Crazy8s Registration + Pitch Info Session recordings, and past Crazy8s films, trailers, or behind the scenes videos?
- Crazy8s 2023 film trailers are on our website
- Crazy8s 2024 Registration + Pitch Info Session
To see more past Crazy8s films, trailers, and behind the scenes, visit our YouTube @Crazy8sfilm.