Costume Design Contest 2025
2025 Mindfield Film Festival Costume Design Rules and
Submission
The Mindfield Film Festival has merged with Enchantment FX4 to present this very successful and one-of-a-kind competition. Participants will design a trio of costumes based on characters in a given FILM SCENARIO. (Scenario is also below).
There is no age restriction for designers. Entrants will submit a virtual Mood Board containing specified elements by the entry deadline. They will then be reviewed by our selection panel and the top entries will be selected as finalists. Finalists will then build their costumes and the costumes will be modeled and acted out on stage at the Mindfield Film Festival Awards Ceremony Sunday August 31, 2025.
3rd Place Cash Prize: $200
2nd Place Cash Prize: $300
1st Place Cash Prize: $500
Rules:
● All entries for the 2025 competition must be designs that fit into the given film scenario SHADOW CLANS. They also must withstand a short action scene during the runway competition.
● All entries must be received by July 17, 2025. Notification of finalists will be on or before July 17, 2025. The earlier you submit, the more time you’ll have to design, if you’re selected as a finalist.
● Mood Boards must accompany a fully completed entry form and entry fee. Fees are:
-Early Bird Special Deadline June 27, 2025 …. $25.00
-Regular deadline, July 17, 2025 …. $30.00
-Mood Boards must contain the following elements:
• Sketches of the three costume designs.
• Designs should be captioned with a brief explanation and/or pitch for why each design is appropriate to the mock film’s scenario.
• Mood Boards must also have virtual swatches (photographs) of the materials, any additional materials list, and color palettes.
• Entrants may also want to include elements that further present their vision of the world in the mock film scenario.
• Designs are head-to-toe for all characters.
– This competition is designed to reflect a real world design scenario for a low budget, independent film. Therefore:
• A design budget is part of the competition. The total of the three designs must not exceed $200.
• Finalists must present receipts for their final constructed costumes.
• Mindfield will cast their own action-actor-models similar to production casting actors for a project. We will send you their measurements and digital photos as soon as each designer is selected as a finalist.
• Additional requirements specific to measurements of models and final presentation will be made available to finalists.
• Costumes should be durable enough for runway modeling, character posing, and a short action sequence, as they would be similarly workable for a set production.
– Designs must be original, built from purchased, recycled or available materials, and may not use rented costumes.
– As a budget concession, footwear may make use of coverings… be creative!
– All designs must reflect a family-friendly film environment.
-Finalists will be announced by the end of the day July 17th, 2025, and construction should begin.
– Designers will have full costumes ready and submitted/delivered by August 17, 2025. We will host one fitting locally in Albuquerque, NM the morning of Saturday August 30, 2025. Designers will have 24 hours to make the needed adjustments if required. If the designer can not make the event, we can make minor alterations on their behalf.
– Once submitted, the costumes are then the property of the Mindfield Film Festival.
– Designers are encouraged to attend the Film Festival the weekend of August 28-31, 2025, but it is not a requirement.
– Runway Show & Awards Ceremony on Sunday August 31, 2025 is a Free Event! All are welcome to attend, so invite your family and friends!
We are looking for creativity, both in design and use of materials to fit within a budget. We look forward
to seeing your vision. Any questions or inquiries may be made to: info@divasperfectproductions.com
SHADOW CLANS (Scenario)
For several years northern nations have detected random heat sources in remote mountainous regions and foothills. Satellites show what appear to be campfires in areas largely inaccessible to any but the hardiest adventurer. Those who have ventured into these areas and survived report seeing evidence of small tribal groups. Signs of farming are seen on hillsides but only if one gets close. No neat rows of crops or obvious tilling. Crops are placed randomly to look as natural as possible. No sign of those who have been caring for or harvesting any of the plants and trees.
Then, one adventurer managed to capture a short video of one of the caretakers of the hillside. The caretaker only appears in twilight, working while there is no direct sunlight, in the early mornings and late evenings, then retreating into nearby caves. Although appearing human from a distance, getting closer it becomes apparent that this is no human. After the video was returned to civilization and reviewed by scientists, it was determined that these “people” are actually Neanderthals. They were thought extinct for thousands of years and this presents an unprecedented opportunity for anthropological research. An international team of researchers was dispatched to investigate but before they reached their destination, their plane crashed in a storm. There were only two survivors. Dr. Cali a research scientist and Max, thought to be a researcher but in reality, sent by the military do their own brand of research.
Dr. Cali and Max eventually are discovered by “Teddy” a teenage/young adult Neanderthal. Max dubs him Teddy because of his garb, which is made of skins and fur. Max thinks he looks like a Teddy Bear. The trio embark on a series of adventures while trying to get rescued. They learn that there are several tribes of Neanderthals living in caves and in the shadows of the mountains. These tribes are not all friendly and fight amongst themselves, presenting even more danger to the human duo. In the meantime, winter is approaching and the pair of humans must augment their attire with natural fur and skins to survive. Even before winter, the area teems with mosquitoes and other biting insects. Also, there are many bears, wolves, and large cats, including Siberian tigers, all previously thought to be extinct, in this area.
How will these cast members be costumed?
1* DR CALI: Female. Fit, attractive, intelligent, strong when cornered, but vulnerable because she is unwilling to acknowledge the bad in certain situations. High end, almost designer survival outerwear. Strong and utilitarian, but not suitable for the extreme winter which is coming. She will need additional clothing while on this expedition.
2* MAX: Male, Fit strong, capable of martial arts and parkour movements. Less designer than Cali, and a somewhat paramilitary in appearance. But, not looking overtly military. Definitely utilitarian. Very prepared, for most situations, but still not fully prepared for the extreme winter ahead.
3* TEDDY: Principally skin and fur. His people have no knowledge of weaving or fabric. In his summer garb he is quite capable of easy movement. His outfit blends in quite well. He has some kind of removable mesh hood that keeps the bugs off. Remember, his clan is a group of cave dwellers and only emerge into the open at night. He has a heavy cloak for winter.