THEME
Each film must deal in some way with an escape from everyday existence.

PARAMETERS
Your film must contain all five of the required parameters marked with an asterisk on the right side of this page. You must also execute three or more of the additional parameters (numbers 6 through 14) for your film to be eligible to win.

RULES
There are some legal rules as well, but those are on a different page because they’re not that exciting. The ones you’ll be most interested in, though: You must be 21 or older to enter the contest, and the winner cannot be a legal resident of California. (Not our fault—California’s.)

DEADLINES & PRIZING
We will begin accepting entries next week right from this page, and there will be three submission periods: July 2-August 10, 2012; August 11-Sep. 19, 2012; and Sep. 20-Oct. 29, 2012. At least two quarterfinalists will be chosen from each entry period, so it would behoove you to enter early! Ten (10) runner ups will receive a check for $500. The five (5) finalists will receive a check for $1,500, and a trip to Chicago to have their film screened at the grand prize presentation sometime in December of 2012. The one (1) grand prize winner will then receive a check for an additional $10,000.

SEE FOR YOURSELF
We will be featuring notable new entries each week at avclub.com, and you’ll be able to watch ALL eligible entries at a dedicated Parameter YouTube channel.

JUDGING
The films will be judged on whether they follow the parameters, their creativity, and their originality. Judges will include members of The A.V. Club Staff, a representative from Grolsch Film Works, and whatever celebrity judges we can wrangle.

QUESTIONS?
Please read all the Rules first, but if you still have questions
e-mail us at parameter@theonion.com.