A3F All-Stars Challenge 2025
Heroes and Villains 3
It's been 10 years in the making! Welcome to the third edition of the A3F Heroes and Villains All-Stars Challenge. Will you emerge as a hero or a villain? The 12 teams have been selected and kick-off their 10-day film challenge on Friday, October 3 at a very special Kick-off Party!.
CHALLENGE CRITERIA
Teams will have 10 days to complete their 5-8 minute films. At our kick-off party, team leaders will draw either a "HERO" or "VILLAIN" that they must use in their film. The type of character is up to you, can be an every day hero or superhero, a comic book villain or just a regular wrongdoer.
PUBLIC SCREENING TICKETS
The A3F All-Stars Heroes and Villains Public Screening takes place Thursday, October 23 at AMC Arizona Center 24 Theatres in downtown Phoenix (565 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004). Screening starts at 7p.m. with an Awards Show immediately following the World Premier of our 12 films.
To purchase tickets, use the form below. Tickets are $11 each and you can change the "quantity of tix" after clicking on "Add to Cart." Be sure to type in your First/Last name in the space provided. Will Call will open at 5:30p.m. on 10/23 and is located in the theater lobby. **No refunds please.
GUIDELINES
Theme: Sacrifice or Redemption
Line of Dialogue: "Be careful what you wish for."
Prop: a Lock (any kind of “lock” where a character locks or unlocks something).
Power: Teams must choose one of the following powers: Time Travel, Superhuman Strength, Mind Control, Shape-shifter, Healing Factor, Telekinesis, Empathy, Power of Persuasion, Superior Intelligence (Genius), Photographic Memory, Good/Bad Luck, Magnetism
RULES
Films must be 5-8 minutes long (credits included).
Teams must incorporate either the hero or villain they randomly draw, but have complete freedom on story arc.
All footage must be shot within the 10 day time period (locations can be scouted beforehand, animators are allowed to pre-sketch templates/characters).
Filmmakers should secure permission for all locations and any music/songs used within their films.
Adult content such as language, violence and sexual situations is allowed, however, make sure it fits your storyline and enhances your film.
Cast and crew must promise to have fun and become Almost Famous!
SPONSORS
We are overjoyed and proud to announce that A3F Incorporated is a 2025 Grant Recipient of The Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture Grant program. These funds will be used to host this special Fall 2025 film challenge for the greater Phoenix area filmmaking community. We also want to extend a HUGE thanks to the Phoenix Film Office for sponsoring our All-Stars Challenge as well as donating the use of a Phoenix Suns Suite to the overall winning team. And we are also pleased to announce that Downtown Phoenix Inc. is once again sponsoring our Fall film challenge.
JUDGES PANEL
Jason Francois - As Assistant A3F Director, Jason brings a wealth of film knowledge and experience to the panel. Jason excels in script-writing, directing and has a technical expertise on a movie set that has translated into several award-winning short films and a feature currently on Netflix.
Amanda Melby - is a professional Actor, Producer and Coach with a long list of credits and achievements in film, television, commercials, industrials, print, voice over and theatre. She also runs Verve Studios for aspiring actors and actresses.
Laurie Love - returns as a judge and brings with her a prolific career as an actress, stuntwoman and producer. Her on-set knowledge and vast experiences combined with muti-faceted roles makes her a perfect judge for this year's competition.
Philip Bradstock - Film Commissioner Phoenix Film Office, grew up in Phoenix and has overseen all aspects of the Phoenix Film Office since 2006. In 2000, Phil worked as a PA on the TV show Suddenly Susan at Warner Bros. Studios and was promoted to a Production Coordinator for Warner Bros. Television.
Andrea Magwood - is an accomplished filmmaker whose body of work spans short films, television segments, and feature-length productions. Beyond her own projects, she shares her passion for cinema by serving as a judge/reader for film festivals and challenges.
Jae Staats - Founded the A3F in 2005 to bring a high-quality and filmmaker-inspired festival to the valley. Jae also runs BallBoy Productions, a local video production company and has collaborated on several award-winning short films and national commercials.
