This year BuddhaFest is presenting something completely new. We want to encourage your participation and creativity. So we’ve been thinking. We live in an age when digital technology makes self-expression fast and easy. We’ve seen how technology can be used in marvelous and not so marvelous ways. What we want to do is encourage mindful self-expression -- so we’re turning this part of BuddhaFest over to you. 

We've partnered with Tricycle to present a Short Films Showcase that will feature your films. Top prize is $1,000!

Buddhism teaches that we’re more than our thoughts and feelings. It shows us that there's a sense of aliveness in us which is open, awake, and free from conditioning. This heightened sense of being connects us to all things.

We’re looking for films from new and experienced filmmakers that explore such themes as meditation, mindful awareness, compassion, and service to the world.

Please send us your film of 5 minutes or less that touches on the question:

What Does It Mean to be Awake in the World? 

Need inspiration?

LOOK HERE FOR SOME VIDEOS WE LIKE.

Every entry will receive a one-year membership to Tricycle.

We'll select several finalists and post them here on our website and at Tricycle.com for the public to vote on. The Audience Choice winner receives $1,000 from Tricycle and two 4-Day All Festival Passes to BuddhaFest. Two runners-up will receive other prizes. All three films will be screened at BuddhaFest and featured on Tricycle.com.

In addition, BuddhaFest will select several films for Director's Choice awards, and those will also be screened at BuddhaFest and featured on Tricycle.com.

We hope you’ll be inspired to grab your camera and make something intriguing. If you have a film you’ve already made that addresses this subject, we want to see that too!

Deadline for submissions EXTENDED to May 14, 2012.

Here are the links you need:

Call for Submissions

Entry Form

Rules and Instructions

Waiver (Must include this with your Entry Form)