2. In that One Week period, all creativity will take place, including but not limited to:

• Writing the script
• Rehearsing
• Costume/Set Design
• Shooting
• Editing
• Sound Design

3. The only work to begin prior to the "Official One Week Time Period" is:

• Organizing Crew
• Organizing Cast
• Securing Equipment
• Scouting/Securing Locations

4. All footage must be shot within the One Week time period of the project.

• No stock footage or footage shot or created at another time may be used.
• Animation and special effects are permitted, but must be created during the 48 hour time period.
• Still photographs are permitted, provided that the team has the rights to them. The photos do not need to be created during the 48 hour time period.

5. Each participating group must have a representative at the official Kickoff Event of the Winchester Flash Film Festival.

• At the event, each group will submit a Participant's Agreement, signed by the team leader.
• Each group will choose the genre of its film in a random drawing.
• Teams will be given the option of either a) trading genres with another team (both teams must be represented in order to trade) or b) relinquishing the genre selected in the drawing for a Wild Card genre. If opting for either of these options the teams may not go back and may only envoke this option once.
• In addition, each group will be assigned required elements that must appear in its film, such as a specific character, prop and/or line of dialogue.
• The required Character and Prop must be seen on-screen.
• The required Line of Dialogue may be spoken, sung and/or written. It may be in any language, though if it is unclear that it is the Line, there must be a translation.
• To qualify as an "Official Flash Film Festival Participant," each group's film must be in the genre it selects and must contain all required elements within the official time limit and prior to the credits.

6. All cast and crew must be volunteers.

7. The finished film must be a minimum of 4 minutes in duration, and a maximum of 7 minutes in duration.

8. Credits at the end of each film are limited to a maximum of 60 seconds. The 60 seconds is considered additional to the length of the film, as stated in Rule 8. (That is, a film may be 7 minutes long, with an additional 60 seconds of credits, for a total running time of 8 minutes.)

9. Any type of video or film camera may be used, however, a maximum of only two cameras may be used.

10. Sound recordings and Sound Effects: Sound recorders are allowed in addition to the two camera limit above. As with music, pre-recorded sound effects are allowed, but you must have rights to use them.

11. The finished film/video must be NTSC format and submitted on one of the following:

• miniDV (preferred)
• DVD
• VHS

We recommend that each team submit two copies of the final film. If we cannot view your film on our equipment, it may be disqualified.

12. Before the finished film begins, the tape should have (this leader is not included in your total run-time of the finished film:

• 5 seconds of black
• Title card with: team name, date, city, title, and genre
• Title card with: "This film made for the Winchester Flash Film Festival 2007."
• 2 seconds of black
• Your film

13. If shot in a 16:9 ratio and/or anamorphic, your film must be letter-boxed. The projector will probably not be switched to stretch the picture.

14. The producer/team leader for each group must submit a complete and signed paper copy of the "Participant's Agreement" at the Kickoff Event prior to being allowed to draw a genre.

15. The producer/team leader must submit a Certification Statement with his/her completed film, certifying adherence to all rules.

16. Each team must secure talent, crew releases, which must be turned into the project organizers with the finished film/video. (The release form is found on the WinCAM website.) The film/video will not be screened before the Flash Film Organizers receive the signed releases.

17. Content of the movie/film/video is at the discretion of the participating groups. Winchester Community Access and Media and the Festival organizers reserve the right to not screen or cablecast any film that can be considered pornographic, or that depicts hard core or graphic sex.  Please remember this is a family event.

18. Music: Participating groups are encouraged to work with local composer and/or musicians to write and record music for the films. We realize that this may be difficult to achieve. Therefore, it is permissable for a participating group to use pre-recorded music; however  it is recommended that the participating group have the rights to any music used in its film and provide a release for all music.

19. To be certified as an "Official Flash Film," each participating group's film/video production must follow all rules herein. The Winchester Flash Film Organizers reserve the right to screen only certified "Official Flash Films."

20. All certified "Official Flash Films" are eligible to compete for the title of Best Flash Film.