Corpus Christi 7 Day Film Project (CC7D) - Official Rules (2026 Edition)

To qualify as an Official CC7D Film, each team must comply with all the rules listed below. Don’t get disqualified. Read carefully and follow the rules.

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1. The Spirit of CC7D
CC7D is a 7-day challenge to make a film from scratch. Only non-creative prep is allowed beforehand:

• Organizing cast and crew*

• Securing equipment

• Securing locations*

• Gathering costumes and props*

*Note: Since your script isn’t written yet, you can prep a variety of options in advance.

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2. All creative work must happen during the 7-day period:
Writing, plot, rehearsals, set design, shooting, editing, sound, rendering, exporting—all must take place within the Official 7-Day Time Period.

 

3. Footage & Media Restrictions

• All footage must be shot during the 7-day period.

• No stock or pre-shot footage.

• Effects/animation must be made during the 7 days.

• Stock SFX packages allowed with proof of rights.

• Still photos allowed (with rights).​

• New to 2026 - AI Guidelines
  The Corpus Christi 7 Day Film Project values human-made creativity.  The creative elements of a CC7D film must be conceived and created by CC7D participants. Accordingly, the use of Generative AI for a CC7D film is prohibited.  
  
  A creative element includes, but is not limited to, the screenplay, story concept, dialogue, performances, music, voice, imagery, footage, animation, visual effects, motion graphics, titles, and any other artistic content that appears in or was created for the film.
  
  Teams are solely responsible for ensuring that all content included in their film complies with these AI Guidelines, including any third-party or licensed materials.
  
  Generative AI
  - The use of Generative AI to create a creative element of a CC7D is prohibited and will result in disqualification. 
  - For the purposes of these rules, Generative AI is defined as any artificial intelligence system that creates new content (including text, images, video, audio, music, voice, visual elements, animation, or software code) in response to a prompt or user request.
  - This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, AI-generated screenplays, dialogue, story concepts, music, voice performances, imagery, footage, visual effects, animation, and other creative content.
  
  Assistive AI
  - Assistive AI tools that are utilized for research, enhancement, or improvement of human-made creative elements without generating new creative elements are permitted.
  - Assistive AI may affect eligibility for awards in categories where AI-assisted work substantially replaces the human-made creative work being judged.
  
  Disclosure Requirement 
  - All use of Assistive AI must be disclosed on the required AI Disclosure Form submitted with the  team’s Filmmaker Documents at the Turn-In on July 15, 2026. 
  - Failure to disclose AI use or submitting false or misleading information on the AI Disclosure Form will result in disqualification.  
  
  The CC7D Steering Committee reserves the right to determine whether any component of a CC7D film constitutes Generative AI or Assistive AI and to ascertain award eligibility accordingly.
   

4. Filming Location
All filming must take place in one of the following Texas counties: Nueces, Kleberg, Jim Wells, San Patricio, Live Oak, Bee, Refugio, Goliad, Victoria, or Aransas.
 

5. No pay-for-play.
Cast and crew must be volunteers. No monetary compensation.

 

6. Committee Restrictions
Past Steering Committee or Jury members must wait 2 years before competing.

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7. Essential Elements Must Be Used Properly

• Character and Prop must appear on-screen.

• Prop must be handled on-screen.

• Character just needs to appear on screen (lead role not required).

• Line of Dialogue can be spoken/sung/translated with clear identification.

• Written lines must have prior approval.

• The mysterious Fourth Element will be explained at Kick-Off.
  Timing Rule:

• Each Essential Element must appear at least 10 seconds apart. No overlapping use.

8. Releases Required
All teams must submit location, talent, music, and material releases. Attach licenses/receipts as needed.
 

9. Equipment
Any camera or sound gear allowed. No limits.
 

10. Include 5 seconds of black before film begins.
Time starts after the 5 seconds. No black could get your film disqualified.

 

11. Submission Format
Films must be submitted as self-contained .MP4 files. No exceptions.
 

12. Resolution
Accepted formats:

• 1920x1080 (HD 1080)

• 1280x720 (HD 720)

• 720x480 (SD 720)

• 4K (must also submit 1080 HD backup)
   

13. Tech Specs

• Codecs: H.264, DV-NTSC, DVCProHD only

• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 or 4:3 square pixels (contact CC7D Steering Committee for permission to deviate from this standard)

• Audio (recommended for best screening experience): Stereo, 24-bit/48kHz, dialogue center panned, mix -18dBfs, SFX peaks -12dBfs
   

14. Time Limit
Films must be 4–8 minutes long.  With the required 5 seconds of black and a maximum length of 30 seconds for the credits, the minimum running time for a film will be 4 minutes and 35 seconds and the maximum running time will be 8 minutes and 35 seconds. 
 

15. Submission Materials
Submit two flash drives, each with your film. Use this file naming format: 2026_TEAM NAME_FILM TITLE
Include each in a resealable bag with an index card labeled with year, team name, and film title.

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16. Credits
Max 30 seconds of end credits (not counted in film run time). Total runtime = film (4–8 min) + 5 sec black + 30 sec credits.

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17. Outtakes
OK during credits, but must not extend the story.

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18. Content Disclaimer
Content is at team’s discretion. Committee reserves right to disqualify inappropriate content.

19. Music Rights

• You must have rights to all music used—original or stock.

• New to 2026 - Teams are responsible for ensuring that all music used in their film is human-created and does not contain any Generative AI content. Original and licensed music must comply with the AI Guidelines in Rule 3.

20. Trademark & Copyright

• Branded items must be obscured unless used naturally/background.

• Prominent brands will be disqualified from awards (but may still screen).

• New to 2026 - Teams are responsible for ensuring that all third-party materials used in their film, including but not limited to, images, graphics, visual effects, sound effects, and other media, comply with the AI Guidelines in Rule 3 and do not contain prohibited Generative AI content.

21. Multiple Films
Allowed. Each film requires separate $60 entry, must be fully original, and not part of a series.
 

22. Young Filmmaker Award
Ages 7–18 (through summer after HS graduation). Youth must complete:

• Story/script

• Element incorporation

• Direction

Adults may assist with technical tasks. Certification form required.

23. Best Original Song/Score
Must be composed/recorded during the 7 filming week of July 8 - July 15, 2026. Submit:

• MP3 files (name: 2026_TEAM_FILM_SONG_TITLE_COMPOSER)

• Must submit the Original Score/Song Submission Form and a Music Release form
   

24. Best Screenplay
Must be written during 7 days. Submit:

• PDF script (name: 2026_TEAM_FILM_SCREENWRITER)

• Follow standard formatting with title page

• Must submit the Original Screenplay Submission form

• New to 2026 - Screenplays must be entirely human-written. Teams are responsible for ensuring that no Generative AI is used in the creation of the screenplay. See Rule 3 – AI Guidelines
   

25. Actor Eligibility
Actors appearing in multiple films are not eligible for acting awards.
 

26. Turn-In Process
Submit by the deadline announced at Kick-Off. Films must be physically in the box by the cutoff or will be disqualified. No play = no competition.

27. Required Docs
Certification and support docs due with submission. Available at Kick-Off and online.
 

28. Screening Eligibility
Only films that meet time, element, and rule compliance will screen.
 

29. Premiere Policy
Your film must premiere at CC7D. If it's released publicly beforehand, it’s disqualified.
 

30. Posters & Promotion
Promos allowed after Turn-In. Trailers may not appear before August 13, 2026 and must:

• Be 30 seconds max

• Use cleared or original music

• Include CC7D name/logo/date

Inappropriate or unapproved marketing could lead to disqualification.
 

31. Official Status
Only teams who follow all rules earn "Official CC7D Film" status.
 

32. Rule Updates
Rules posted on July 8, 2026 are final. 
 

33. Binding Agreement
By registering, you agree to all rules and decisions by the CC7D Committee and Jury.
 

34. Alcohol Policy
Minors caught drinking at CC7D events will be ejected and barred. No refunds.
 

35. Final Authority
CC7D Steering Committee reserves the right to disqualify any entrant for violations. Determination of violations is at the sole discretion of the CC7D Steering Committee. 

If you have any questions about the CC7D Rules, email the CC7D Steering Committee at infocc7d@gmail.com.