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All donations are tax-deductible as a charitable contribution to the full extent of the law.

Photo by Stephane YAICH

Our Mission

Project Twenty1’s mission is EPIC. We Educate, Promote, Inspire, and Connect artists through film and animation programs, in order to help build their creative passions into careers. While schools provide many skills needed to create great work, they rarely provide tools such as access to collaborators, funding, theatrical public exhibition, or distribution. Project Twenty1 strives to fill those gaps, to help each artist, no matter where they are in their career, to reach the next step.

Our Beginning

Project Twenty1 was founded in 2006 by Philadelphia-area animator Stephanie Yuhas and Matt Conant, a live-action filmmaker. The pair realized that their talented friends had stopped being creative, in part because school had not prepared them for the realities of the industry, and they now had “real jobs” to pay the bills. Project Twenty1 was created to provide motivations that were hard to find outside of school: 1) inspiration, 2) a deadline, and 3) an audience.

Over the years, Project Twenty1 has run many programs from The Philadelphia Film & Animation Festival which welcomed thousands of people to the city from around the world, to 1-on1 student Mentorship programs. Project Twenty1 programs have resulted in the creation of over 300 original short films, and the exhibition of over 1,000 films and animations to over 15,000 attendees. We became a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in 2010.

Films screened at PFAF have sold to Netflix and other distributors. Others have received Academy Awards. 21-Day films have received screenings in 23 states and 11 countries. We have connected over 24,000 emerging media artists to paid opportunities. Post-festival surveys show that 52% of our creative community reports receiving paid work in their field for the first time as a result of our programs.

Throughout the years, we at Project Twenty1 are best known for our flagship program, The 21-Day Filmmaking Competition. We are excited to announce the return of this program in the autumn of 2019 in an exciting new format.

Our Staff

Stephanie Yuhas
Executive Director

Stephanie Yuhas co-founded Project Twenty1 after graduating from the Philadelphia University of the Arts with Honors (BFA, Animation.) As a professional media artist, she saw a need in the market for an organization to support aspiring media artists who did not have access to education, cast, crew, equipment, or screening opportunities. She is most well known for her work on Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return (Netflix) and Moot (WHYY-TV.) She lectures on topics such as “Women in Film & Animation,” “Filmmaking on a Shoestring,” and “Networking & Pitching for Introverts.”

Matt Conant
Artistic Director
Matt Conant co-founded Project Twenty1 after graduating from Temple University  Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Film & Media Arts. Matt Conant has over fifteen years of experience as a writer and director on shorts, features, and episodic content for web and broadcast, including the series Moot, Nerd vs. Geek, Living in 8 Bits, OverAnalyzers, Super Plumber Bros, and Society: Why It’s Wrong His work has been featured on UpWorthy and Kotaku. He is a writer for Netflix’s reboot of cult favorite Mystery Science Theater 3000. He is the founder of Cinevore Studios, a narrative fiction content house based in the Philadelphia region. Matt is a member of American MENSA.

Our Board

Ryan Leib, President – Keystone Wealth Management Group of UBS

John Duffy, Treasurer – Rivergate KW Residential

Matt Conant, Secretary – Crystalline Studios

Courtney Baxter – 30 Under 30 Film Festival

Deborah Bookstaber – Element Associates

Jim Flanagan – Mentor, RSVP

Jenni Powell – New York Film Academy

Stephanie Yuhas – Cinevore Studios

Event Photography by Lee Rosenfeldt. Typewriter photo by Pereanu Sebastian

In 2019, Project Twenty1 returns to our roots, and relaunches with an exciting new take on a community favorite.

First: assemble your team. At the start of the 21 days, we give you (via email, social media, and this website) a Secret Element every film must include. You then have 21 days to make that film or animation a reality.

Make any film or animation you want! Make something you’ve been dying to make forever. The only requirements are that it be 1) no longer than 10 minutes in length 2) created within the 21 days and 3) that it includes the Secret Element in some way.

Finally: Submit it to us before the deadline.

Participants are welcome to upload their creations to YouTube, Facebook, and/or Instagram with the tag #projecttwenty1 to participate in the audience award. The most “liked” film by 11:59 p.m., EDT October 21, 2019 will receive the Audience Award.

Top submissions, as assessed by a panel of industry judges, will become Official Selections for Project Twenty1’s 2019 Festival, which will occur via a live-stream hosted by Project Twenty1 on one of our social media platforms, and hosted by special industry judges! In the weeks and months that follow, top films will be screened as part of one or more of our Screening Partners around the world.

Prior Project Twenty1 films have screened across 23 states and 11 countries.

There is no limit to the number of teams that can participate, and there is no restriction on state or country of entry. Sign up, make a film, and have fun!

So what are you waiting for? Read the rules and start forming your team on FilmFreeway (link coming soon!)

Click here for a list of award nominees & Official Selections.

Audience Award

Submitted via digital ballots from audience members of the 2019 Project Twenty1 Streaming Festival:

Halfpass Bridge – Team Yellowberri 

Best Acting

Best Performances as an Ensemble

Halfpass Bridge – Team Yellowberri

Nominees in the following categories have been determined by the Project Twenty1 2019 Judges:

Best Animation

Best animation or special effects, including but not limited to 2-D Traditional Animation, 3-D models, Stop-Motion, Motion-Graphics, Practical Animated Effects, Animated Titles)

Bouncer – Rusty Eveland

Best Cinematography

JOY – Team Magic Broom Productions 

Best Directing

The Savior – Team I Am

Best Editing

Florida Man and the Masters of the Panhandle – Team To: Many Cooks 

Best Use of Element

Most creative use of the 2019 Secret Element “Passage”

You Get Born – Team Sickening Belfry

Best Marketing

Best Marketing Materials, including but not limited to: Behind-the-scenes materials, posters, trailers, social media promotion of the short, promotion of the live stream, casting/crew calls, and Team/short awareness. 

The Ghost – Team Justice Productions

Best Music

Safe Passage – Team Platinum

Best Production Design

Overall, best sets/locations/backgrounds, and hair/makeup/wardrobe/character design

You Get Born – Team Sickening Belfry

Best Sound

Including but not limited to: Best audio quality, mixing, mastering, sound effects and overall soundscape.

A Family of Failed Magicians – Team Shadow 

Best Writing

Safe Passage – Team Philagape

Best Student Film

Best short created by a student who is currently enrolled in a formal educational institution, including but not limited to K-12, college/university, or grad-school. 

Smith and the Devil – Team Bad Apple Productions

Best Short (Overall Winner)

Halfpass Bridge – Team Yellowberri

EPIC Award

Award for a member of the Project Twenty1 community who exhibits EPIC Community spirit.

Brian Carlin

For Creating a Partnership with the Seattle Film Summit to allow the theatrical exhibition of select Project Twenty1 shorts.

Sincere thanks to our 2019 Judges and viewing audience for voting!

Save the Date: August 1-22, 2020 – Produce your next original short as a part of Project Twenty1!

Save the Date: August 1-22, 2020 – Produce your next original short as a part of Project Twenty1!

The following shorts, created as a part of the 2019 Project Twenty1 Competition, have been nominated for awards by our judges and online audiences.

Please note – the Categories change each year based on the number of Teams who participated, as well as the final content of the shorts. The categories for this year are final. 

Images have been provided by Teams. The selection and placement of images is random and does not reflect winners. Final winners will be revealed in a few days. Until then, remember – it’s an honor to be nominated!

12/22: Update: Here is the list of Winners!

Audience Award

Submitted via digital ballots from audience members of the 2019 Project Twenty1 Streaming Festival:

• Florida Man and the Masters of the Panhandle – Team To: Many Cooks
• Halfpass Bridge – Team Yellowberri 
• The Ghost – Team Justice Productions

Nominees in the following categories have been determined by the Project Twenty1 2019 Judges:

Best Acting

Best Performances as an Ensemble

• Halfpass Bridge – Team Yellowberri
• Jack – Team Ocelot InstaShort
• Transcendence – Bianca C.P.
  

Best Animation

Best animation or special effects, including but not limited to 2-D Traditional Animation, 3-D models, Stop-Motion, Motion-Graphics, Practical Animated Effects, Animated Titles)

• Bouncer – Rusty Eveland
• Nerds of Passage – Team ShoChu Cat
• Smith and the Devil – Team Bad Apple Productions

Best Cinematography

• Halfpass Bridge – Team Yellowberri 
• JOY – Team Magic Broom Productions 
• Secret Passages of AREA 420  (extended trailer) – Team Dave’s PTSD
• The Savior – Team I Am
  

Best Directing

• JOY – Team Magic Broom Productions 
• Misinformed Consent – Team Tiny Rhino Productions 
• Smith and the Devil – Team Bad Apple Productions 
• The Savior – Team I Am

Best Editing

• Florida Man and the Masters of the Panhandle – Team To: Many Cooks 
• Safe Passage – Team Platinum 
• Transcendence – Bianca C.P.

Best Use of Element

Most creative use of the 2019 Secret Element “Passage”

• Bouncer – Rusty Eveland 
• Jack – Team Ocelot InstaShort 
• Mummy Knows Best – Team Drop the HAT 
• You Get Born – Team Sickening Belfry
  

Best Marketing

Best Marketing Materials, including but not limited to: Behind-the-scenes materials, posters, trailers, social media promotion of the short, promotion of the live stream, casting/crew calls, and Team/short awareness. 

• Florida Man and the Masters of the Panhandle – Team To: Many Cooks 
• Halfpass Bridge – Team Yellowberri 
• The Ghost – Team Justice Productions

Best Music

• Florida Man and the Masters of the Panhandle. -Team To: Many Cooks 
• JOY – Team Magic Broom Productions 
• Safe Passage – Team Platinum
  

Best Production Design

Overall, best sets/locations/backgrounds, and hair/makeup/wardrobe/character design

• Halfpass Bridge – Team Yellowberri 
• Nerds of Passage – Team ShoChu Cat 
• Transcendence – Bianca C.P. 
• You Get Born – Team Sickening Belfry

Best Sound

Including but not limited to: Best audio quality, mixing, mastering, sound effects and overall soundscape.

• A Family of Failed Magicians – Team Shadow 
• Florida Man and the Masters of the Panhandle – Team To: Many Cooks 
• Secret Passages of AREA 420  (extended trailer): Team Dave’s PTSD
  

Best Writing

• Misinformed Consent – Team Tiny Rhino Productions 
• Safe Passage – Team Philagape 
• You Get Born – Team Sickening Belfry
  

Best Student Film

Best short created by a student who is currently enrolled in a formal educational institution, including but not limited to K-12, college/university, or grad-school. 

• A Family of Failed Magicians – Team Shadow 
• Slumber – Jaan Larkin 
• Smith and the Devil – Team Bad Apple Productions
  

Best Short (Overall Winner)

• Bouncer – Rusty Eveland 
• Florida Man and the Masters of the Panhandle – Team To: Many Cooks 
• Halfpass Bridge – Team Yellowberri 
• The Savior – Team I Am

EPIC Award

Award for a member of the Project Twenty1 community who exhibits EPIC Community spirit.

• Brian Carlin (For Creating a Partnership with the Seattle Film Summit to allow the theatrical exhibition of select Project Twenty1 shorts, even though he was not participating in the Competition himself.)
• Doug Seidel (For promoting the work of other Teams before, during, and after the Competition, as well as going above-and-beyond with supportive commentary for other Teams during the Project Twenty1 Live Stream).
• Pang Men Wai (For extremely thoughtful and honest behavior towards fellow Teammates during the audience voting process.)

In addition, below are the Official Selections for the 2019 Shorts:

2019 Seattle Film Summit Official Selections

Project Twenty1 shorts that were Premiered theatrically at SFS, November 16, 2019.

• Joy, Team Magic Broom Productions, Rosie Divine
• Safe Passage, Team Philagape, Chris Pierdomenico

2019 Project Twenty1 Streaming Festival Official Selections

Shorts that exhibited as a part of the one-time Facebook Live Stream limited event on December 7, 2019: 

• A Family of Failed Magicians, Team Shadow, Landen Belardes
• Beyond Limits. Team Legendary Studios, Amrik Pabla
• Bouncer, Rusty Eveland
• Florida Man and the Masters of the Panhandle, Team To: Many Cooks, Bryan Donoghue
• Gummy, Team AKLE Productions, Alissa Chavez
• Half Pass Bridge. Team Yellowberri, Derrick Hunt
• Jack, Team Ocelot InstaShort, Jessica Day
• Joy, Team Magic Broom Productions, Rosie Divine
• Misinformed Consent, Team Tiny Rhino Productions, Marlene Free
• Mummy Knows Best, Team Drop the HAT, Jason Heffner
• Nerds of Passage, ShoChu Cat, Men Wai Pang
• Safe Passage, Team Platinum, Chris Casaburi
• Safe Passage, Team Philagape, Chris Pierdomenico
• Secret Passages of Area 420 (extended trailer), Team Dave’s PTSD Goren Henry
• Slumber, Jaan Larkin
• Smith and the Devil, Bad Apple Productions, Mike Raisch
• Subtransient, Mad Matt Flix, Matthew Judkins
• The Dead Clown, James Hayden
• The Family, V-Neck Hoodie Productions, Erik Schoenecker
• The Ghost, Justice Productions, Doug Seidel
• The Path of Connection, Working Title, Liv Baker
• The Savior, Team I Am, Tarun Sardana
• Tomas 7:5-9, Team Green Tater Productions, Ryan Crowley-Hughes
• Transcendence, Bianca C.P.
• You Get Born, Team Sickening Belfry, Wedge Wegman

2020 Philadelphia Independent Film Festival Official Selections

Project Twenty1 shorts that will exhibit as a part of PIFFl, May 6-9. 2020

TBD! Check back in 2020!

2020 Thriller! Chiller! Official Selections

Project Twenty1 shorts that will exhibit as a part of PIFFl, October 13-17, 2020

TBD! Check back in 2020!

2020 Optical Toys (Philly Cam) Official Selections

Project Twenty1 shorts that will exhibit as a part of this broadcast program: 

TBD! Check back in 2020!

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Project Twenty1 is a community-powered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  You can support programs like this with a tax-deductible contribution.  Done with Your 21-Day Short?  >>Submit it here<< #ProjectTwenty1 Judges This Year: Mitchell Foster, Animation Executive, Amazon Studios Lori Tilkin deFelice Head of Production, A Better Tomorrow Films Kristin Cummings VP, Originals, Atomic Cartoons Matt Conant Writer, Mystery Science Theater 3000 Anthony Griffith Founder/Festival Director, Thriller! Chiller! International Film Festival  Shirley Clemens Griffith  President/Festival Director, Thriller! Chiller! International Film Festival  Stephanie Yuhas,  Writer/Producer, Cinevore Studios  Lowell Boston, Creator,  Optical Toys (PhillyCam) Learn More About Our Judges here.  Join Our Community –Like Us on Facebook –Join Our Facebook Group (Find Teams & Team Members!) –Follow Us on Twitter –Follow Us on Instagram  Hi, Project Twenty1 Community!  For those of you participating in this year’s Competition (or rooting for our Teams!), here’s a friendly reminder that the submissions are due tomorrow, 11/10/19!  We are delighted that at least 3 Teams have already submitted their completed shorts and 34 Teams have committed to participating so far! We can’t wait to see everyone all of the completed projects. If you have been making a short and have not officially signed up on FilmFreeway, we suggest you make a project file right now – even if it’s blank! – so you can familiarize yourself with the platform. That way, all you need to do is click “upload” when you’re ready! FAQ: When exactly are the projects due? Please shoot for 7 pm Eastern/4 pm Pacific as that is exactly 21-Days from the announcement of the Secret Element, “Passage!” We want to disclose since a few folks figured out that FilmFreeway’s system will let you submit until 11:59 PM Pacific. Please, still aim to submit on the “soft deadline” of 21-Days.  If you push your luck, when the clock strikes midnight (FilmFreeway’s system time – which might vary in your county), you will get frozen out!  That means that you will be unable to participate in judging, awards, and potential streaming festival, screening partner, and cable exhibitions in this year’s Competition.  Get something in right away; we want you to succeed! Team Spotlight: Rat Lung Pictures A part of the #ProjectTwenty1 2019, ‘Passages of Area 420,’ a farcical and darkly comic web series about Dave High, a burned-out TV writer and producer with a powerful weakness for pot, booze and any other mind-altering substance within his reach. Dave, awakens alone in the Nevada desert – with no pants, no idea how he got there, and no memory of the last six months that he’s been missing. With the help of his straight-laced cameraman, Roland Jointz, Dave sets out to solve the mystery of what happened to him – and his throbbing backside.  Want to see this project or get involved in their future projects? Follow Rat Lung Pictures, Hacienda Heights, California Stay tuned for exhibition dates!  Your Friends in Film, Animation, and New Media, Matt & Stephanie Project Twenty1 Founders

Looking to use SAG-AFTRA Talent in your Project Twenty1 project? Yes, but there are different rules for live-action filmmakers vs. animators.

Project Twenty1 does not set these rates or rules.

ANIMATORS:

SAG-AFTRA will not allow short animations under the Short Project Agreements. We recognize that most of our animators will not be able to use union talent as a result, but in case your project has a budget, here is a rate sheet: https://www.dropbox.com/s/v20y0e790fquxus/SAG-Rate%20Sheet%20TH%2011%2028%2018.pdf?dl=0 

And here is a link to the  Basic Agreement: https://www.sagaftra.org/files/2014_sag-aftra_cba_1.pdf

LIVE-ACTION FILMMAKERS: 

The SAG-AFTRA Short Project Agreement covers you if you want to use just one union actor or a cast of all union actors in your Project Twenty1 project of less than $50,000 budget, produced entirely in the Unites States. Note that animation projects are not currently covered by SAG-AFTRA’s Short Project Agreement.

Do you have to pay the actors or pay yourself if you’re a SAG-AFTRA member who wants to produce a film for Project Twenty1?

No, payment is deferred. If you make money someday on this film then you have to share with cast but no bond, no out of pocket costs except meals and transportation (30 a mile inclusive of any tolls) and any clothing you may ask the actor to buy.

How do I begin?

The first step of a Team Leader (producer) to work with SAG-AFTRA is to fill-out a Preliminary Information Form: https://www.sagaftra.org/preliminary-information-forms.

Your Team Leader should fill-out the Preliminary Information Form for the Short Project Agreement. This should be done in ADVANCE of the 21-Days of the Project.

http://www.sagaftra.org/production-center/sign-sag-online

Follow the instructions on the SAG-AFTRA website.

Then what?

It is suggested that when you enter your project title you add the festival name behind it. Example:  In My Room: Project Twenty1.

Note that you will also be assigned a business representative who you will have as a paperwork contact at SAG-AFTRA. When production is complete, you will submit all official SAG-AFTRA paperwork to that rep.

What about the secret element? Won’t that make it impossible to submit the script?

No worries! SAG-AFTRA is aware of the potential for twists at turns at Project Twenty1. Just send in a loose conceptual script with an additional note stating that your project is part of Project Twenty1.

What if I have other questions about the SAG-AFTRA Short Film Agreement?

Call or email Joshua Vasquez at the below:

Joshua Vasquez
SAG-AFTRA
Manager/Entertainment Contracts
5757 Wilshire Blvd.
7^th floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Direct: (323) 549-6007 | Main: (323) 549-6828
Joshua.Vasquez@sagaftra.org

Good luck to all our teams!

You shop and Amazon donates!

Make Project Twenty1 your charity of choice, and Amazon will donate 0.5% of every purchase you make to us.

Go to smile.amazon.com/ch/27-2395979 and Amazon donates to Project Twenty1.

And be sure to bookmark the site to do all your Amazon-related shopping forever. It costs you nothing, and helps us enormously. Thanks for everything you continue to do!

Happy Holidays to all our friends and family! If you’re here, that includes you. 🙂

Sincerely,

Stephanie Yuhas, Artistic Director
Matt Conant, Co-Founder
Roland Pinto, Executive Director

Note: All jobs were active at the time of posting. 11/15/17

Senior Writer Producer 
HBO – New York, NY
OVERALL SUMMARY:
A Writer/Producer with consistently superior creative, conceptual, AVID editing, writing and producing skills who also is developing leadership skills. Frequently assigned to produce HBO’s tent pole productions and intermittently tasked with producing midlevel productions. Produces tent pole productions with regular guidance from senior staff and regular management oversight. Produces midlevel productions independently with general management oversight. Maintains positive client relationships at a peer level and is developing leadership skills, including presentation, communication and team building. Leads the creative work of Writer/Producers on projects. Mentors junior staff. Responsible for staying on campaign budget.  Visit Full Job Posting on Indeed

Staff Writer
Vocal – Englewood, NJ 

Currently, Vocal has 21 genre-specific community sites in its growing network, including science fiction, health and wellness, gaming, military, poetry, and more.

The Staff Writer will be expected to:

Write content (articles) daily for Vocal’s network of sites. Work to maintain style, editing, and structure standards set in place by the Company. Source freelance pieces from writers on commission.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams. Work with aggregated content to optimize social engagement.
Identify any recurring errors in content. Visit Full Job Post on Indeed

Writer Producer
QVC – West Chester, PA
Are you creative and passionate about storytelling? Are you curious about new media platforms and opportunities? Do you love creating engaging content?
QVC has an exciting opportunity for a talented individual to become a Writer Producer in our Content Production Operations Department. View Full Job on QVC.com

Riot Games
Animators – Los Angeles, CA

We’re hiring for multiple levels, from associate to lead, so don’t get hung up on the title; we’re all about the team.

As a member of the Animation team, you’ll be the creative wizard who brings characters to life using your spell book full of classic animation principles and body mechanics. Your tight grasp of animation pipelines and high level of skill as both an animator and a leader helps you create and implement next-level graphics and mentor others as well. Your demo reel showcases a variety of walk cycles, a diverse selection of game-related animation, and a strong foundation in the principles of animation, including weight, anticipation, and impact. View Full Job Description & Apply on RiotGames.com

Director – Production Finance
Disney – Burbank, CA

The Disney/ABC Television Group is searching for a Director of Production Finance for ABC Studios. The Director is responsible for the financial show management on scripted television series, pilots & special projects. This includes the ABC Television Network, ABC Studios, FreeForm, Marvel Television, Lincoln Square, ABC Signature and 12:05am Productions. View Full Job Description & Apply on DisneyCareers.com

Want to hear more about media arts career opportunities, film & animation festivals, educational programs, and networking events? Sign up for our Project Twenty1 Newsletter.

Thanks in a large part to our work with R.S.V.P., an amazing King of Prussia, PA-based non-profit, we’ve been tremendously successful so far, and we will be profiling some of our new board members right here on our website.

Last time, you met Art Menko. Now we are pleased to introduce new Executive Board member Jim Flanagan.

Jim Flanagan began his career as a labor and employment attorney practicing in Chicago and San Francisco before transitioning into Human Resources roles for several high growth companies.  Jim ran Human Resources for Starbucks Retail in the late 1990’s helping the company open a store a day.  Jim also held HR leadership roles with Bank of America, Starwood Hotels and GSI Commerce, a King of Prussia company that was eventually acquired by eBay.  Jim then led HR for Pep Boys until they were acquired in 2016.  Currently Jim volunteers for several organizations including VEC and the Chester County Volunteer English Program.  Jim has been married to his better half for 32 years and they have three terrific children ages 16 – 20.  A graduate of the University of Michigan (go blue) and Villanova Law School, Jim and his family live in Malvern.