14 DAY TRIAL // Creating an iPhone movie is not a new idea, but an international festival to highlight the best out there sounds like a great one. "The Original iPhone Film Festival" is a way to award the best and most original creations done with an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.
There are a few ground rules: the video needs to be shot on an Apple device. However, you are allowed to edit it using a computer and insert post-production effects. The Jury will make sure to award a special prize just for the best movie that was shot and edited on an iOS Device.
The films must be shorter than 5 minutes and after you are done, you need to upload it on their website before November 30, 2014. The short movies that are not in English have to be subtitled.
The Jury doesn't really care how old you are, but there will be an award for "Student Directors" category which applies to 18-year-olds or younger filmmakers. Besides that category, there are three more: Fiction, Non-Fiction and Music Videos.
The winner of this competition will go home with an Apple iPad Air and some other great gear, but the organizers promise they will add new stuff weekly.
The Jury is formed by some excellent people in the know: directors, columnists, TV producers, writers and iPhone experts. Among them you will find Marcus Nispel (director), David Pogue (Yahoo), Jason Kilot (VP at HBO), Christina Thomas (BAFTA New York) and Jason Snell (SVP of Macworld).
Apple itself shot some of their commercials using an iPhone. The result was amazing, even though the original intent was only to show that it is possible to do that. The AppStore is full of video-specialized apps. From film tools like Light Meter, Teleprompt or Focal to apps that actually shoot or edit video.
The best way to get started is not to look for a perfect tool. Apple's Camera App that comes with iOS is good enough. You can even shoot video in slow motion and edit it to fit your needs.
The second golden rule for an amateur filmmaker is to use a tripod while shooting. When it comes to videotaping with your iOS device, it is easier to hold the shot still if the phone is not in your hands.
So far there are 16 short movies in the competition, but you've got till November to enter yours. Here are some of the best and a video tutorial about shooting video with your iPhone.
