InTension Industries launches million-dollar shortcut
InTension Industries announced a national competition that will select one emerging filmmaker to develop and direct a feature-length version of a submitted short film. The studio will produce and release the winning project with a $1 million production budget. The prize consists of that production opportunity rather than a cash award.
Eligible entries must fall within the thriller, horror, suspense or closely related genres. Filmmakers must be at least 18 years old and reside in the United States, excluding residents of Maryland, Colorado, North Dakota and Connecticut. Short films must run less than 40 minutes and be hosted on a public or unlisted YouTube link that remains active throughout the competition.
Three submission windows carry different fees. The early-bird period costs $150 and closes November 29, 2026. The standard period costs $195 and closes January 10, 2027. The final period costs $250 and closes February 5, 2027.
Audience members participate directly in the first two rounds by voting for preferred shorts. Dave Hunter, a producer at InTension Industries, said the contest is designed around community: “The future of distribution is community. Audiences want more than something to watch; they want to connect. This competition is about building a community around great storytelling.”
Round 1 runs February 8 to March 5, 2027, when audience votes select the top 100 films. Round 2 runs March 22 to April 4, 2027; votes reset and the advancing filmmakers must upload a vision video describing how the short would expand into a feature. Audience voting in that round narrows the field to 25 projects.
In Round 3, April 5 to May 10, 2027, the top 25 filmmakers submit a feature screenplay and a one-page production assumptions brief by April 19. Producers review the materials and advance ten projects by May 10. Round 4 consists of development meetings scheduled May 12–28. The audience favorite that participates in Round 3 is guaranteed a spot in Round 4. The overall winner is scheduled for announcement in summer 2027.
Beyond the grand prize, the top 25 filmmakers receive personalized script feedback. The top 10 participate in an in-depth development session with the studio team. The winner receives the $1 million production and release commitment.
The studio’s production team includes Brigham Taylor, whose credits include the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, “The Jungle Book” and “TRON: Legacy”; Ian Puente, who has held business-development and strategy roles at Samuel Goldwyn Films, Sony Pictures and EPIX; Dave Hunter, producer of “Don Verdean” and “Nitro Circus” and founder of two prior entertainment companies; and Tom Goodall, whose credits include “Christopher Robin,” “Lady and the Tramp” and “Whiskey Throttle.” InTension Industries recently premiered its first feature, “Whiskey Throttle,” at FilmQuest and has announced the upcoming science-fiction thriller “Sentinel” starring Steve Zahn and Rick Gomez.
The company states that the competition is intended to surface new voices in genre filmmaking and to involve audiences in the development process that connects filmmakers with viewers.
