Los Angeles, CA – ShortsHD™, the world’s only Short Movie Channel (www.shorts.tv) and creator of  “Voices,” an initiative aimed at improving access to diverse voices and viewpoints in TV and film, is teaming up with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) to launch The Hispanic Heritage Short Film Award Competition.

The contest will recognize the top Hispanic short films (directed, written, or produced by someone with Hispanic heritage). The overall winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize and a free trip to Washington D.C. to screen their winning short film at the prestigious Hispanic Heritage Awards, which takes place September 22, 2016. 

The contest will be officially announced on Saturday, June 25th during the 2016 NALIP Media Summit. The announcement will precede NALIP’s Official Selection, a screening that will feature short films by Latino filmmakers.

There is no entry fee to enter the competition and the organizations are accepting submissions beginning today.  Established by the White House in 1987, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation is an award winning nonprofit that identifies, inspires, prepares and positions Latino leaders in the classroom, community and workforce to meet America’s priorities. Media and Entertainment are one of the priority “tracks” for HHF.

The winning film will gain exposure to industry decision makers for broadcast deals a well as additional prizes. The competition finalists will be awarded roundtable and mentorship opportunities with studio executives and experts who will provide guidance for their careers. The top 5 finalists from the competition will be considered for a TV broadcast agreement on ShortsHD.

To be eligible, the short film must be a narrative live action project where the writer, director or producer is Hispanic. Deadline for submissions is August 26, 2016.  Total running time for entries is 40 minutes or less.

Commented Carter Pilcher, Founder and CEO of ShortsHD: “Short films are the springboard to a career in filmmaking. We at ShortsHD are thrilled to join with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to launch a new generation of Hispanic American filmmakers. We look forward to seeing the top films at the Hispanic Heritage Short Film Competition in Washington DC.”

“Carter and ShortsHD approached us about taking actionable steps to increase the voices, perspectives and vision of Latinos in the film and entertainment industry and this effort is an exciting start,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of HHF.  “The Hispanic Heritage Short Film competition will provide the applicants with valuable exposure, guidance and connectivity.  There certainly is no shortage of Latino talent.”

After the close of the Entry Period, all eligible entries will be judged and the five finalists will be selected on September 1st, 2016. There will be a final judging round in Washington, DC on September 21st, 2016 and the winner will be announced at the Hispanic Heritage Awards on September 22nd, 2016.

About ShortsHD

ShortsHD™ is the first high definition channel dedicated to short movies and is available on DIRECTV (Channel 573), and AT&T U-Verse (Channel 1789), US Sonet (Channel 292), CenturyLink prism (1789) and Frontier Communications (Channel 1789).  ShortsHD™ is operated by Shorts International, the world’s leading short movie entertainment company with the world’s largest movie catalogue dedicated to short movies. Shorts International also operates ShortsTV®, which is available across Europe and Africa. Shorts™ is the short movie on-demand service available on iTunes movie stores in 54 countries across the globe and Amazon Instant Video. The company is headquartered in London, England with an additional office in Los Angeles and is led by Carter Pilcher, Chief Executive.

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About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation inspires, prepares and connects Latino leaders in the in the classroom, community and workforce.  HHF also promotes cultural pride, accomplishment, and the great promise of the community through public awareness campaigns seen by millions. HHF’s award-winning program’s has been recognized by The White House, U.S. Congress, Fortune 500 Companies and the Government of Mexico.  HHF is headquartered in Washington, DC, and Los Angeles with offices in Silicon Valley, Miami, New York and Mexico City.  (Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org.)