Official Rules

• Everyone is eligible.
• There is a Team Registration fee of $150.
• Registration may be cancelled and fees refunded up through February 1st. After that, fees are NOT REFUNDABLE.
• To begin, click Registration.
• Team size is unlimited. A team can be one person, or 1,000 people.
• For teams with more than one member, be sure to list each team member in the space provided during registration.
• Team Registration includes 4 seats at the Docu-Intensive Workshop with documentary filmmaker Mark Birnbaum. Lunch is included. Any extra seats will then be sold to the general public.
• Only 10 teams will be allowed to register. Once 10 teams have registered, a Waiting List will begin. If a team cancels then the next team on the list will be notified.
• If you cannot register online contact Thin Line at 888-893-4560 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to setup other arrangements.
• Each team MUST have access to a camera to shoot the video and a computer with video editing software. If you do not have both, then DO NOT register your team. Try to find other people who have access to these items to join your team.
• The race will begin at 5PM on February 8th at the Campus Theatre. Please arrive by 4:30PM.
• At 5PM, Team Captains will begin drawing for topics. Team will have 5 minutes to decide whether to keep that topic or to draw again. If a team chooses to draw again, they must keep their second draw.
• Each team will then meet with Race Management to review the team's topic and to answer any questions.
• All topics are vetted by Race Management to ensure the topic can be completed in five days and that there are subjects available to interview.
• Topics may be submitted by anyone at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. up until February 1, 2013.
• The finish line begins at 4:30PM and continues through 5:30PM on Wednesday Febryary 13th at the Campus Theatre. Teams must turn in their video submission at this time. Videos turned in after 5:30PM will still screen, however the video will no longer be eligible for any awards.
• Videos must be between four and eight minutes. The length of the video will be considered the time from the first image/sound until the last image/sound (including credits).
• Videos will be accepted only in digital form; whether on a CD/DVD or other removable media (usb drive, etc).
• We prefer High Definition however we will accept Standard Definition.
• The digital file can be any of the following extensions: for HD - mov, mp4, or wmv; for SD - avi, or mov.
• If your file is Standard Definition and you are using .avi use Microsoft DV compressor; for .mov use Apple DV; the resolution for both should be 720x480.
• If your file is High Definition and you are using .mov or .mp4 please encode using h.264 using at least 5Mbps; if you're using wmv just make sure you use at least 5Mbps.
• Texas Filmmakers and Thin Line Film Fest are not responsible for digital files that do not playback on our equipment. We use the latest Windows and OSX platforms. We are also not responsibile for poorly encoded files.
• All audio should be compressed and limited to -6dB. Please record good audio levels! This will make or break your video.
• It is your reponsibility to obtain permission for all music used in your video. We will assume you have obtained permission for all material submitted.
• Please choose well-lit areas! What looks good on your super bright LED HD monitor WILL NOT look the same projected 60 feet onto a white screen. Please keep light levels up!
• Each video must only contain material shot during the race. All use of previously shot video is strictly prohibited and will warrant immediate disqualification from the race.
• The videos will be judged by the festival Denton Doc jury: an independent, local panel and the winners will be announced at the Thin Line Award Ceremony Saturday, Feb 16th @ 10PM.
• All completed videos will be screened on Saturday, February16th at 1:30PM at the Campus Theatre. Admission is $8. Each team will receive 10 tickets for the screening but seating is not guaranteed and you should show up early.
• Neither Texas Filmmakers, nor our sponors and affiliates, are responsible for the actions taken by event participants while racing. All racers must follow all federal, state, and local laws when filming.