2025 CineSpace Short Film Competition by NASA and Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS)

CineSpace is a collaboration between NASA and Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS) that offers filmmakers around the world a chance to share their works inspired by, and using, actual NASA imagery through “CineSpace,” a short film competition premiering at Houston Cinema Arts Festival.

Judging Criteria: 

The Selection Committee and Competition Judges (collectively the “Jury”) understand that various genres and formats have different artistic qualities. The Jury will consider the following criteria to select finalists and winners:

• Is the work based on innovative artistic presentation and storytelling?
• Does the work provoke an emotional response?
• Does the work show a mastery of filmmaking?
• Does the work show a high level of technical, conceptual, and aesthetic innovation and display an exceptional creative vision?
• Does the work show an exemplary use of the original NASA material used?
• Extra credit for using unusual or obscure NASA imagery that hasn’t been used before

ELIGIBILITY

1. This Competition is offered and open only to natural persons who are at least 18 years of age at the time of entry. Parents and guardians of filmmakers younger than 18 can submit on their behalf.
2. The following persons are not eligible to win prizes: employees of NASA, Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS) and their Board, employees of vendors to NASA or HCAS that have contracted to provide services to or in connection with the Competition, members of the Selection Committee, the Competition judges, and members of their households.
3. By entering, you agree to these Rules and warrant that you are eligible to enter the Competition.

PRIZES

The following prizes will be awarded

• Grand Prize: USD $10,000
• Second Prize: USD $5,000
• Third Prize: USD $3,000
• Three Special Categories: Individual Prizing (see below)

Please reference prizing above as the platform lists the prizing numerically rather than by ranking or category.

• Special Judging Categories and Awards: 

Besides the above awards, the Jury may also award three additional prizes for $4,000, $3,500, and $500 each.  For these awards they are looking for Submissions that elevate the featured themes using creative and original cinematic and/or storytelling techniques. If the jury feels that a Submission meets these criteria, the Submission may be considered for these awards. If no Submissions sufficiently meet the criteria, these categories may not be awarded this year.

• Best Documentary: USD $4,000

Designated for best film in documentary format using NASA imagery.  Can be any topic or style, but should have an editorial or journalistic element.

Film That Best Depicts "Humans in Space": USD $3,500

• Awarded to the film that best captures the spirit and concept of humans living, working and exploring space.  Films can be documentary or narrative in format or simply inspirational in style. 

Film using the most unusual or obscure Imagery from NASA: USD $500

• Prize goes to film that incorporates NASA imagery that has not been used before and/or is most obscure or unusual.