“That’s the high we are chasing with our projects,” Brigham Taylor, a producer at InTension Industries, said in a statement. The Provo, Utah-based independent production company has launched “The Million-Dollar $hortcut,” a competition that will award $1 million to produce a feature film based on a winning short, Variety reported.
The competition invites emerging filmmakers to submit genre shorts in thriller, horror and suspense. InTension will produce and release the winner’s feature for a budget of $1,000,000. Runners-up will receive personalized feedback from the company’s creative development team and a development session with its industry veterans.
How Public Voting Shapes the Million-Dollar Shortcut
Film fans can vote for their favorite entries during the first two rounds of the competition. InTension will then review the top-voted films alongside a hand-picked jury of established filmmakers to select the winner.
Disney and Sony Veterans Form InTension Industries
The company was founded by four Hollywood dealmakers. Taylor formerly produced at Disney and worked on “The Jungle Book” and the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. Ian Puente held business development and strategy roles at Samuel Goldwyn Films, Sony Pictures and EPIX. Dave Hunter co-created “Nitro Circus,” and Tom Goodall produced Disney films including “Christopher Robin” and “Lady and the Tramp” alongside independent projects.
Founders on Community and the Future of Distribution
The founders frame the competition as a way to foster ongoing conversation with audiences. “The future of distribution is community,” Hunter said. “Audiences want more than something to watch; they want to connect.” Puente described any piece of media as “a conversation” and said the team aims to create a more robust, continuing dialogue with viewers. Taylor said the competition could “light a bit of a torch for this community” by extending resources to finalists beyond the single winner.
Sentinel Starring Steve Zahn and Whiskey Throttle Set the Slate
InTension recently premiered its first film, “Whiskey Throttle,” at the Provo-based FilmQuest festival. The company’s next project in development is the sci-fi thriller “Sentinel,” starring Steve Zahn. Filmmakers can submit entries for the competition at intensionfilms.com.
Million-Dollar Shortcut Competition FAQs
What genres qualify for the Million-Dollar Shortcut?
The competition accepts genre shorts including thriller, horror, suspense and related fare. InTension focuses on films that traffic in tension and thrills rather than horror-heavy content.
How does the voting process work?
Audiences vote for their favorite films during the first two rounds. InTension then reviews the top-voted entries alongside a jury of established filmmakers to choose the winner.
What do runners-up receive?
Runners-up receive personalized feedback from InTension’s creative development team and participate in a development session with the company’s industry veterans.
Who founded InTension Industries?
The company was founded by Brigham Taylor, Ian Puente, Dave Hunter and Tom Goodall, who previously held roles at Disney, Sony Pictures, Samuel Goldwyn Films, EPIX and Nitro Circus.
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