Matador Records | Interpol Short Film Contest

To accompany the release of the upcoming Interpol album, Matador Records will be funding 10 short films inspired by the music and aesthetic of the band. There are two steps to this contest: writing a treatment, and then, if you are selected, making your film.

The contest is now closed. We received over 500 submissions.

The 10 winners are as follows

Gregory Brunkalla
Talmage Cooley
David Fenster
Zach Freyer
Joey Ingram and Josh Mahan
Ty Roberts
Michael Robinson
T. Sutton
Richard Sylvarnes
Christina Vantzos

Thanks to everyone for participating. You will have a chance to see the finished films in various environments around the release of the record.

Step One: Submit a treatment and a letter
First, you must submit a treatment describing your proposed film, along with a letter describing any previous work you have done in film. The treatment may be in any form you wish: a written essay, an illustrated storyboard, a video of yourself explaining it, or just a video that you feel will suggest the finished product. You will want to keep in mind the guidelines listed in Step Two as you write your treatment.

The treatments should be sent to this address by July 5 (deadline extended):

   interpol_treatments@matadorrecords.com

Or, if you need to send physical materials, to this address:

   Interpol Treatments
   c/o Matador Records
   625 Broadway, 12th Floor
   New York, NY 10012

Interpol will personally review the treatments and choose 10 that they feel best or most interestingly embody the spirit of their music in the cinematic form. Try to think outside the box. Black is not the only color.

All entries will be bound by the Official Rules listed at the bottom of this page.

Step Two: If you are selected, make your film
Each winner will receive $1,000 to make a film, as well as a 60-second fragment of music from the forthcoming Interpol album, as well as some other choice bits and pieces. The finished films will be due by August 15.

The film may be of any format or length that you can create within this budget, and may be on any subject you like. We are expecting something in the range of 2 to 4 minutes, but the length is up to you. You may shoot on fim, digital video, analog video, or any other media. Your film may be live-action or animated. You may use CGI. Silent or sound. Anything you like.

There are only 2 restrictions:

1. The only music you may use is the 60-second fragment of new Interpol music that we supply you with. You do not have to use it, but it is the only music that you may use. Other background sounds -- ambient noise, dialog etc. are fine.

2. You must not make a music video. We are looking for artistic films inspired by Interpol's music and ideas, not a promotional clip for a specific song.

Conclusion
The winning films will be displayed around the release of the new album. Each winner will be credited in every use.

All submissions of both treatments and films will become the property of Matador Records.

Official Rules
By entering this contest, you agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions:

No purchase necessary. The contest will be open to residents of the United States and the District of Columbia over 13 years of age.

Employees and the members of the recording artists professionally known as "Interpol," and any of their subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, family/household members are not eligible to enter the Contest. Employees of Matador Recordings, LLC, and Beggars Group (USA), Inc., and any of their subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, family/household members are not eligible to enter the Contest.

Enter by submitting the information requested to the email address or physical address listed above. All entries must be received by July 5, 2004. Neither Interpol nor Matador Records ("Matador") shall be responsible for lost, late, mutilated or misdirected mail or corrupted files. Entries that are tampered with, illegible or incomplete are not eligible. Winners will be selected from all entries on or about July 10, 2004. Participants agree to be bound by these rules and all decisions are final. 10 Winners will be chosen. The Winners will be notified by email by July 11, 2004. Winners (or the parent/guardian if the Winner is a minor) will be required to sign a contract assigning all worldwide copyrights and unrestricted exploitation rights in perpetuity in their treatments and films to Matador, and in return will receive a production budget of $1000 and appropriate credit whenever the film is projected or otherwise displayed as full and complete consideration for all rights granted and any and all exploitations (if at all) of the film by Matador or its designees, it being understood that Matador will not be obligated to use the film in any manner. All entries and requests become the property of Matador. Entry constitutes permission to use the Winner's name, picture, likeness, and city and state of residence for purposes of trade, publicity or promotion for no additional compensation. The Winners (or the parent/guardian if the Winner is a minor) will be required to execute an affidavit of eligibility, compliance with the Contest rules and release of liability. Neither Matador nor Interpol makes any warranty or representation regarding the prize and Winner agrees to accept the prize "as is." All entrants release Interpol and Matador and their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, agents and all others associated with the development and execution of the Contest from any and all liability from injury, loss or damage of any kind resulting from participation in this promotion or acceptance or use of the prize. All reasonable effort will be made to contact the Winners. Failure to execute and return any requested document within 60 days of postmark, or return of notification of prize as undeliverable, may result in forfeiture of the prize. An alternate potential winner may be selected at the sole discretion of Interpol and/or Matador. Void where prohibited by law. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.