Sonoma State University
Language Festival 2008
German Program
Short Film Contest

Individual students or groups of students (up to 4 students) may participate in this part of the contest. Encourage your students to create a short film in German.  Possible topics or guiding questions: Why do they study German? What do they love about the German language or culture? Students may also think about creating their own commercial in German, or their own news report or mini TV show. They can sing, conduct interviews, or simply give a speech in German about a topic they feel passionate about… Above all, encourage them to be creative and original, and to have fun using the German language they have learned so far.

These German shorts will be shown at the contest; students who created the film need to be present in order to receive a prize.

Technical Requirements:

-- Minimum length of film: 3 minutes; maximum length: 5 minutes.

-- The film needs to have a title; it also needs to list the names of the filmmakers as well as the name of their teacher and their school. This information also needs to be clearly written on the DVD or video cassette. Please record the length of the production in minutes and seconds as well.

-- Note the level of your students on the DVD or VHS: Stage 1 (German 1 and German 2) or Stage 2 (German 3 and 4/5).

-- Teachers should preview the films for appropriate content.

-- The student work should be the only piece on the DVD or video.

Please send the films on DVD or video latest by Friday, April 4, 2008 (postmarked) to Prof. Michaela Grobbel, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, 3016 Stevenson Hall, Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928.

Evaluation Criteria:

The films will be pre-judged by SSU students who are currently enrolled in "Intermediate German Through Film." Our judges, Dr. Kate Foley-Beining and Marcell Johnson (SSU German student), will make the final decision and evaluate the short films based on

1.    clarity of content

2.    clarity of speech (especially pronunciation), and

3.    expression/performance (as it relates to content of film, added effects, originality).

Achtung, Achtung! Are you aware that the Goethe-Institute is offering a podcast contest with the motto “German(s) in my life?” The deadline for this contest is April 15, 2008—just three days before the SSU Language Festival! Encourage your students to send their work to the Goethe-Institute San Francisco, too – especially if they are interested in a THREE-WEEK DREAM VACATION in Germany!  See Step into German for more info.