FLARE

Process Review

2026 Cycle · Submissions opening soon

We score the decisions, not the gear. Process-first judging levels the playing field when resources differ.

Video is the dominant communication medium of our generation. This project exists to make sure access to serious feedback from industry professionals and resources is not limited by polish, resources, or connections.

Why This Matters

Output-only contests reward budget. Flare uses process-first scoring to keep judging fair when resources differ.

We score decisions, not gear

Output-only contests reward budget and access. Flare grades reasoning, iteration, and constraints so thinking wins.

Equity by design

Process-first scoring reduces the advantage of expensive resources and gives every editor a fair shot.

Feedback you can use

Rubric-aligned scores and notes show what worked, what didn't, and how your choices landed.

At a Glance

A competition designed for clarity.

From screening to final awards, the entire process is built to reward intention, craft, and growth.

2

Categories

Cinematic + VFX and Motion + Innovation

01

3

Review Rounds

Screening, judging, and final awards.

02

40%

Process Weight

How you think matters most.

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$0

Entry Fee

Free to enter worldwide.

04

For Participants

A quick starter so you know exactly how to prepare, what to submit, and what you get back.

How to prepare

  • Save version milestones and timeline screenshots.
  • Capture key decision points and constraints.
  • Collect references and before/after frames.

What you submit

  • A 3-minute max video (YouTube/Vimeo).
  • A 200-500 word process statement.
  • Verification code + Project ID in the description.

What you get back

  • Process-weighted scores with rubric breakdowns.
  • Actionable feedback on decisions and craft.
  • Finalist showcase opportunities.

How We Evaluate

A published rubric. No guesswork.

Every submission is judged against clear criteria. The rubric is public, and every score follows it.

View full rubric

Process Quality

25%

Creative methodology, iteration, and exploration.

Decision Clarity

15%

Articulation of creative choices and intent.

Craft Execution

25%

Technical proficiency, attention to detail, and polish.

Originality

20%

Distinctive voice and innovative approaches.

Constraint Handling

15%

Creative problem-solving within limitations.

The Difference

We reward the thinking behind the edit.

Most competitions reward polish. Flare rewards the decisions, experiments, and constraints that shape the final cut.

40% process weightAnonymous judgingPublished rubric
01

Prove through process

Your decision-making process accounts for 40% of your score. We want to understand why you made each choice.

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Growth over perfection

Show us your iterations. Version 1 to version 3 tells us more than a perfect final export.

03

Constraints as craft

Working within limitations reveals true creative problem-solving.

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Transparency

Anonymous judging. Published rubrics. No favoritism. Every score is earned.

Process First

Judging built for fairness.

Every decision is measured against the same rubric, and every score is averaged across a blind panel of industry professionals.

Submission Playbook

Turn your process into proof.

Three steps keep your submission clear, credible, and easy to judge. Show the thinking, then show the final cut.

01

Capture the process

Save version milestones, timeline screenshots, and what changed between cuts.

02

Write the process statement

200-500 words on decisions, constraints, and how the edit evolved.

03

Tag and submit

Add your verification code, submit the YouTube or Vimeo link, then add the Project ID.

Video length

3 minutes max

Process statement

200-500 words

Video link

YouTube or Vimeo

Submission codes

Verification + Project ID

2026 Timeline

Clear milestones, published early.

Submissions open

Feb 28

Deadline

Jun 30

Finalists announced

Jul 30

Winners revealed

Aug 15

Eligibility

Built for young editors.

Open to video editors under 18 years of age. No entry fee. No geographic restrictions. One submission per category.

Under 18GlobalNo entry fee

Submit Your Process

Your process is your proof.

Submissions will open February 28. Join the global review and show how your ideas evolve into a final cut.

Newsletter

Process Review Dispatch

Milestone-only updates on submissions, judging, and the final rubric. Judging is planned for this summer.

Next Issue Preview

  • Submission window and deadline confirmation
  • Final rubric adjustments and scoring examples
  • Judge panel onboarding and summer schedule

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