On March 14 at noon, students and faculty and staff will gather for an exciting and fast-paced event that pushes creativity and collaboration to the extreme. Do you have a creative passion for making/producing films?
If yes, then we are calling you to come participate in the Oregon Road Film Series (ORFS) Challenge!
The Oregon Road Film Challenge is a fun and exciting opportunity to branch out and expand your creativity.
What is the Oregon Road Film challenge you ask? This event is an incredible opportunity to stretch your skills, test your limits, and maybe even find your true calling!
The challenge begins at noon Friday, March 14, 2025 and runs through Sunday, March 16, 2026 at 8 p.m.. The timeframe may sound condensed, but that’s the thrill–creating something cohesive and entertaining while racing against the clock.
The official rules are posted on the website, and it includes everything required within the challenge. Everything from writing the script, to rehearsing, designing costumes, shooting, graphics and visual effects, sound design and music and editing must happen within that 50-hour window.
Teams are allowed to organize their crew, scout locations, and secure equipment beforehand, but the actual film production must take place during the challenge weekend. This structure keeps things fair and ensures that no team has an unfair advantage by prepping too much ahead of time.
Another intriguing aspect of this challenge is that each team will be given three mandatory elements at the kickoff event which they’ll have to incorporate into their film. These elements could be anything—a line of dialogue, a prop, a character or even a theme—adding another layer of creativity and spontaneity to the project.
Each film must also be between three and eight minutes long, with no more than a minute devoted to credits. And there’s a lot riding on those credits—they must include a statement that the film was made for the ORFS Film Challenge, along with proper crediting for all the material used.
The ORFS Film Challenge is about teamwork, focus and raw creativity under extreme constraints. This isn’t just about making a film; it’s about making a film that works. A lot of that will depend on how well teams communicate and keep their eyes on the prize—a finished, polished short film that makes sense and engages the audience.
Technical requirements are equally strict. All films must be submitted via a OneDrive link provided at the kickoff. The file needs to be in .mov or .mp4 format and named correctly to avoid disqualification.
In addition to the film, teams are responsible for securing and submitting all necessary releases—whether it’s for talent, locations, or music. This attention to detail is crucial for a smooth submission process, and it’s a real-world skill that filmmaking students often don’t think about until they’re knee-deep in a project.
Also included in the rules are content regulations. Comments aimed at disparaging one group of people in a way that might encourage hate or violence are not permitted. A lottery, or any advertisement or information concerning any lottery; any material that constitutes libel, slander, invasion of privacy or publicity rights, unfair competition, violation of trademark rights or copyright, or which may violate local, state or federal law; along with violence, physical and verbal, nudity, and non-appropriate language will all NOT be permitted. The film administration will have the rights to disqualify any film/team for not following the rules.
To gain more knowledge on the competition, I interviewed Rob Thomas, Assistant Professor for Broadcast Media Technology and Advisor of OutComm, Owens Student Media Center. Here’s what he had to say:
Shamarie Kelley: “Can you give us a little insight on the Oregon Road Film challenge, and what we can expect from the experience?”
Mr. Thomas: “Yes, The Oregon Road Film Series Film Challenge is an opportunity for students to create, write, shoot, edit, post a short film no longer than 8 minutes for the opportunity to gain experience in the film production process and work proficiently to gain connections between students and film crew.”
Shamarie: “Will this experience for those who participate be benefited by it in the future, and if so, how?”
Mr. Thomas: “Yes, definitely; you will gain much experience when it comes to problem solving and critical thinking. For instance, certain items have to be included in the film, like a line dialogue, a character, a prop and location. We do this because we wanna make sure the films are made during the challenge and not prerecorded. Also, [it is] to get students to use creativity when given an assignment and see how they use it. Using these will help you adapt to new situations and quickly come up with creative ideas.”
Shamarie: “Can you give those who plan to participate any advice on how to be successful during this competition?”
Mr. Thomas: “The best way to be successful is to designate someone as the leader, who can take charge and lead people in the right direction, and then, once the idea of the film has been decided upon, everyone should work towards a common goal; people should have a certain role, whether be camera operator, script writer, editor and so on.”
“This helps speed up the process when everyone can handle a different task and later merge everything together. Leadership, cooperation, and designating roles on the team are key to a successful film. Work with passion, and what you like to learn about. Work thought the process; if you think its gonna take you an hour to do, multiple it by 3. Always give yourself more time then you think you will need. Time management will help in the end.”
What makes the ORFS Film Challenge even more exciting is the potential for recognition. A panel of professional filmmakers, critics, and independent judges will review all eligible films and select finalists. These films will be shown on March 26 at noon in College Hall 100, and both judges and audiences will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite after that time. The winners will be announced at the ORFS awards event on May 1, 2025 in College Hall 100, making it a high-stakes but rewarding experience for all who participate.
This event isn’t just about the glory, though; it’s about pushing boundaries and learning to work within constraints. For any student filmmaker, looking to build a portfolio, gain experience, or simply have fun with fellow creatives, the ORFS Film Challenge is an incredible opportunity. The challenge to complete a project in such a short time mimics real-world scenarios where deadlines are tight and the pressure is real.
So, if you’re a student who wants to dive into the world of filmmaking, don’t hesitate. Sign up for the ORFS Film Challenge, form your team, and prepare to make movie magic happen in just 50 hours. It’ll be intense, but it’s an experience that could shape the way you think about filmmaking forever.
