Teens of LA Film Fest | Categories | Los Angeles Public Library

Book Trailer

A video teaser or preview that gives viewers a taste of a book's plot, setting, and tone without giving away any spoilers.

Length: 30-90 seconds
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVDfV7gCCFE
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_yY24E7e8o

Central 100

Celebrating a century of light and learning! This special category is for documentary-style films showcasing the history and services of the LA Public Library's Central Library.

Length: 2-5 minutes

Documentary Short

A film that highlights cultural, social, scientific, or other nonfiction topics in a creative way. Uses a combination of observational footage, interviews, voice-overs, and other material such as photographs or archival footage to tell a true story.

A personal documentary that conveys the true lived experience of you, your friends, your family, or your community.

Length: 2-5 minutes
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJJKHQ7UAjY
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJW87PqOHVI
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy81xq4BPUM

Experimental Short

A film that experiments with the filmmaking process, either through editing, sound, non-traditional techniques, or abstract narratives. These are films that do not fit the traditional mold of another category, including films without dialogue and/or storylines. Music videos are accepted in this category.

Length: 2-5 minutes
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYzzg6g1To
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLZQkkyTVr8

Live Action or Animated Short

A short film that tells a fictional story using believable characters, plots, and settings. Can be any genre (comedy, drama, action, horror, etc. Films submitted in this category can be live action or animated.

Length: 3-minute minimum length - 8-minute maximum length
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuqi01YrzuY (live action)
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNw8V_Fkw28 (animated)

Micro Short

A tightly edited, one-minute-long film. Micro movies can be any genre or category (live action, animated, experimental).

Length: 1 minute or less
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzjBpmNtviw
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-cI1eSX4P0
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uauBhO6HjEY
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV9HnITo2C0

Music Video

A live action or animated short film that adds visuals or a narrative to a song. Note that due to copyright law, the song you choose must be an original composition or in the public domain. You can find a list of public domain songs at https://www.pdinfo.com/.

Length: 1-4 minutes

Public Service Announcement

An informational video that raises awareness about an important issue, often having to do with health and safety. PSAs are intended to help change behaviors and attitudes about social topics. PSAs often resemble commercials, but serve the public good rather than advertise products.

Length: 30-90 seconds
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKvxBBbgS58
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvtao91TsT4

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The Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest most diverse population of any library in the United States.

Through its Central Library and 72 branches, the Los Angeles Public Library provides free and easy access to information, ideas, books and technology that enrich, educate and empower every individual in our city's diverse communities.

With more people than ever before using the library—a record 17 million last year alone—your support helps the Library provide people with the resources they need to succeed and thrive.

How to support the Library

You can support the Los Angeles Public Library in several ways:

Join a “Friends” group. There is a “Friends of the Library” group for most branch libraries and departments of the Central Library. Friends groups raise money for improvements to their library through memberships, used book sales and other activities. For more information click here or talk to your local librarian.

Join the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. The Library Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds for Library enhancement programs such as adult and early literacy, children and teen reading clubs, technology, and cultural programs. Foundation members receive a variety of benefits with their membership. For more information, see http://www.lfla.org.

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