The SSFF Jury Selection Process

The SSFF Jury selection panel consists of an even blend of filmmakers of different backgrounds, local film critics, avid filmgoers, to people just getting into independent film. Our Jury reflects a good cross-section of the independent film-going audience, because you'll never see a crowd full of just critics.

Selection Criteria:
The meat & potatoes

• Storytelling is the most important aspect. We focus primarily on how well the filmmaker tells/shows a good story. Just having an interesting idea or story is not enough.
• Characters and the direction of the actors that carry the film. Again, we are focusing on the storyteller's ability to tell the story

The gravy

• Cinematic Art - bonus points for strong understanding and use of cinematic devices that enhance the story. The use of cinematography to bring the audience more in tune with the story and the characters' mindset, the use of editing to pace and maintain a good flow to the story, for example.
• Music Scoring - use of original scores or local bands... may not add points to the overal Jury score, but it's good to see independent filmmakers keeping independent with their films (i.e. the battlefield of music rights)

No film entry is guaranteed selection into the SouthSide Film Festival. All films are graded equally on storytelling. All films are watched in their entirety by a majority if not all of the Jury members.