The commission will award a $3,500 top prize in each of two categories open to any local filmmaker and a pair of $1,000 prizes to the top entries in its student category. And if cash isn't enticement enough, it also will screen the winning entries at a May 17 awards ceremony at Mission Marquee Plaza prior to a showing of Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. (Remember the basement at the Alamo, right?)
So, what does the city get out of this beyond promoting local talent? According to the fine print, the film commission and other departments will be able to use the winning entries for promotional purposes.
And now — pass the envelope — those three categories are:
- Creative City of Gastronomy: Open only to students ages 14-21, this category recognizes local culinary heritage. It's topical because the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) last year designated San Antonio a Creative City of Gastronomy.
- Locations of San Antonio: This category is open to films that show off San Antonio's diverse filming locations, both historic and contemporary.
- Stories of San Antonio: Entries in this category should help celebrate the city's 300th anniversary by telling a uniquely San Antonio story.