TXU Energy Engages Film Critics to Share Tips with Student Filmmakers

TXU Energy launches new videos with tips from experts, reminds student filmmakers: Fourth annual TXU Energy Light Up the Red Carpet Student Film Contest entry deadline Feb. 15

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TXU Energy recently invited a few Texas-based film critics to share advice with the high school and college students competing in this year’s TXU Energy Light Up the Red Carpet Student Film Contest. The advice comes via two new YouTube videos that competing filmmakers—or aspiring filmmakers in general—can use for perspective on the films they’re finishing and submitting between now and Feb. 15, the entry deadline.

It’s the fourth year that TXU Energy has sponsored the contest, which is administered by the Dallas Film Society. It’s also the first year TXU Energy has engaged members of the Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association to help give students the unique perspective of the experts who make their living reviewing films, attending festivals and connecting with filmmakers and movie industry professionals in all stages of their careers.

The company connected with professional critics including syndicated columnist Todd Jorgenson, Mark Walters of bigfanboy.com, Matt Mungle of The Mungle Show and Paul Salfen, who reviews films for multiple news outlets and shows. Their tips and encouraging words are collected into two short videos: one is focused on the elements of good films, and the other explains how to handle film critics’ reviews of their work. Both videos are available via TXU Energy’s YouTube channel.

Student filmmakers have been challenged to explore energy conservation, efficiency or management while answering a simple question through their films: What does energy mean to you? They have until Feb. 15 to complete and submit their original short films to compete for the chance to walk down the red carpet and share roughly $35,000 in prizes. Also, through Feb. 15, online community members can support their favorite films and filmmakers by posting their creative ideas to enhance the finalist concepts via the contest site. Those who do have a chance to win a $50 prepaid card.

This year’s winning filmmakers will have the opportunity to see their film on the big screen at the 2013 Dallas International Film Festival. Each of the top films in the high school and college categories will win a Grand Prize of $7,500. First Prize winners from each category will receive $3,000, and the films from each category that receive the most online votes will win the Community Choice Prize and $1,000. Prizes will be split evenly between the winning students and their schools’ audiovisual departments.

Full details about the contest, including the official rules and a brief video overview, can be found at txu.com/studentfilmcontest.

KEY DATES FOR STUDENT FILMMAKERS

• Now – Feb. 15	Final film production; community members post suggestions
• Feb. 15	Deadline for finished films – all participants
• Feb. 20 – March 29	Public online voting for finished films takes place
• Early April	Final six films announced (three high school and three college)
• April 12	VIP evening for the final six: awards reception, red carpet event and awards ceremony (where winners are announced)

About TXU Energy

TXU Energy is a market-leading competitive retail electricity provider, powering the lives of more Texans than any other retailer. TXU Energy offers a variety of innovative products and solutions, allowing both its residential and business customers to choose options that best meet their needs, including exceptional customer service, competitively priced electricity service plans, innovative energy efficiency options, renewable energy programs and other electricity-related products and services. Visit txu.com for more information about TXU Energy. REP #10004

About the Dallas Film Society

The Dallas Film Society celebrates films and their impact on society. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the Dallas Film Society recognizes and honors filmmakers for their achievements in enhancing the creative community, provides educational programs to students to develop better understanding of the role of film in today's world, and promotes the City of Dallas and its commitment to the art of filmmaking. In addition to producing one of the largest festivals in the Southwest, the Society produces numerous year round events, screening series and partnership programs with arts organizations around the city. For more information, call [phone], or visit dallasfilm.org.