UK students have the chance to participate in a short film competition.

The Sundance Ignite Short Film Challenge asks artists to create and submit an original short film that expresses their unique creative vision. Documentaries are also accepted. The submission should push the creative envelope, challenge people and ideas, and provoke thought. It must be between one to eight minutes long and follow the theme, “What stories ignite you?”

This is the third annual competition and UK students ages 18 to 24 are invited to enter. The film challenge takes place in the fall to select the next round of Sundance Ignite Fellows. The Sundance Ignite Fellows begin their year of mentorship and support from Sundance Institute by attending the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah in January, and wrap at Sundance NEXT FEST in Los Angeles in August.

Fifteen winners will be selected from the challenge to be next year’s Sundance Ignite Fellows, an exclusive year-round fellowship offering meaningful mentorship, industry exposure, and the once-in-a-lifetime experience of attending the 2018 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

Winning this competition is a great start to a promising career. In addition to an all expenses paid trip to the festival, Sundance Ignite Fellows are paired with a Sundance alumni professional for a full year of guidance and development, gaining industry exposure and meaningful mentorship.

“Through the Sundance Ignite Film Challenge, we’re looking for the next generation of filmmakers to show us what compels, challenges, and excites them,” Meredith Lavitt, Director of Sundance Ignite, said. “We’re looking for bold, unique stories that offer a fresh perspective, and we can’t wait to see what the Kentucky creative community has to offer.”

There is no entry fee. The submission deadline is quicky approaching: Submissions can be made at www.sundanceignite2018.com before Sept. 26. For more information, please visit www.sundance.org.