> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.backstagecircle.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Million-Dollar Shortcut - URL: https://www.backstagecircle.com/the-million-dollar-shortcut/ - Published: 2026-11-11T15:16:55.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-11T15:16:55.000Z - Author: Maureen Jack - Tags: Pro Video, News, Opportunities InTension Industries, an independent film production company, has launched The Million-Dollar Shortcut, a national filmmaking competition offering one emerging filmmaker the opportunity to turn a short film into a professionally produced feature-length movie with a $1 million production budget. The competition invites filmmakers to submit short films in the thriller, horror, suspense and related genres. InTension Industries will produce and release the winning project’s feature film with a budget of $1 million, bringing together a team of entertainment industry veterans with experience in major Hollywood productions, independent filmmaking and film distribution. The competition also gives movie fans an opportunity to participate in discovering emerging filmmaking talent. Audiences will vote for their favorite short films during the first two rounds, helping determine which projects advance. InTension Industries’ producers will then review the advancing projects, with the final selection process involving the company’s creative team and industry professionals. "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," said Dave Hunter, producer at InTension Industries. ## Competition Details and Submission Deadlines The Million-Dollar Shortcut is open to adults over age 18 in the United States, excluding residents of Maryland, Colorado, North Dakota and Connecticut. Submitted short films must be less than 40 minutes long and provided through an active YouTube link. The competition offers three submission periods with corresponding entry fees: - **Early bird:** $150 through Nov. 29, 2026. - **Standard:** $195 through Jan. 10, 2027. - **Final submission:** $250 through Feb. 5, 2027. Audience voting begins in February 2027, with the competition advancing through multiple rounds: - **Round 1, Feb. 8-March 5:** Audience voting determines the top 100 films. - **Round 2, March 22-April 4:** The top 100 films advance to a second round of audience voting. Votes reset, and competitors must submit a vision video. Voting narrows the field to 25 films. - **Round 3, April 5-May 10:** The top 25 filmmakers submit a screenplay and one-page production assumptions brief by April 19\. InTension Industries’ producers review the materials and select the top 10 by May 10. - **Round 4, May-June:** The top 10 filmmakers participate in development meetings with InTension Industries’ producers, scheduled for May 12-28, as the competition advances toward the selection of the winning project. The audience favorite is guaranteed a place in Round 4 after participating in Round 3\. The final winner is expected to be announced in the summer of 2027. ## Opportunities Beyond the Grand Prize In addition to the winning project’s $1 million feature film production opportunity, other top competitors will receive professional development opportunities: - **Winner:** InTension Industries will produce and release the winning project’s feature film with a $1 million production budget. - **Top 10:** A development session with the InTension Industries team. - **Top 25:** Personalized script feedback from InTension Industries. The winner’s grand prize is a feature film production opportunity, not a $1 million cash award. ## Hollywood Experience Meets Independent Filmmaking The competition is led by an experienced production team with backgrounds in major studio films, independent productions, entertainment business development and distribution. The InTension Industries team includes: - **Brigham Taylor**, a veteran producer whose credits include Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, "The Jungle Book" and "TRON: Legacy." - **Ian Puente**, an entertainment executive with experience in business development and strategy at Samuel Goldwyn Films, Sony Pictures and EPIX. - **Dave Hunter**, an entertainment entrepreneur and producer whose credits include "Don Verdean" and "Nitro Circus." Hunter has produced 15 profitable films and built and exited two entertainment companies. - **Tom Goodall**, a film industry professional whose credits include "Christopher Robin," "Lady and the Tramp" and "Whiskey Throttle." The company recently premiered its first feature film, "Whiskey Throttle," at FilmQuest and announced its upcoming science fiction thriller, "Sentinel," featuring Steve Zahn and Rick Gomez. Through The Million-Dollar Shortcut, InTension Industries aims to identify compelling new voices in genre filmmaking while connecting filmmakers and audiences through the development process. ## How to Enter Filmmakers interested in submitting short films and movie fans who want to participate in audience voting can find competition rules, eligibility requirements, submission information and additional details at [https://intensionfilms.com/rules-faq/](https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rCyTXCZ9tvF9cjTMwJVsQF4gSKhF4MUyozV7rGONNtPsX4I4H%5FFsntQzFBhILhvn8cv2Wf9qA80r8uCuAx2m7-2FMp871C2ILVMtEO5Dggi9xpCVhAX2HXMURjPRmyYWGcZ3i0euDNZQjsftypCPysB7OEwF7EkSm4UJHHfD0Yj-2F0n5RJn46pWHTfoWgm22p9qMPACNaiR8BeyS4177g6aLCV2NT-2BzIZ70EZz2p3Op7g0fGVcJgL-2FUA4l9wbPy8p9yToUh3d8gEGaCpQx64ojEUF1dXAG-2Bc30O0w-2BloN6yvWhnkgcwNw6Iy8sk3RI1JWMw2-2BlA0szdNWR8o5bFZlBsP0WYeVqfK6Zk77IvxFX553fOL8XUDtqY2AK6zMYc7V3rOIxx66RgPLD7xBKBNeSJmootJTdWo-3D&ref=backstagecircle.com). An official competition teaser video is available at [https://youtu.be/8kHGL-uFj6s](https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC0-2B6Pir8u9UE-2BtXtn2a0PXx-2BJUXypQl2K4pAJhQTm2oWrxvW%5FFsntQzFBhILhvn8cv2Wf9qA80r8uCuAx2m7-2FMp871C2ILVMtEO5Dggi9xpCVhAX2HXMURjPRmyYWGcZ3i0euDNZQjsftypCPysB7OEwF7EkSm4UJHHfD0Yj-2F0n5RJn46pWHTfoWgm22p9qMPACNaiR8BeyS4177g6aLCV2NT-2BzIZ70EZz2p3Op7g0fGVcJgL-2FUA4l9wbPy8p9yToUh3d8qEds7r2gCdcK0DkAn2R8Siqvlng-2BMFs7YnyNrUqPzJH8JhedoMfBTMs82i16DV4Q4NF-2FNdkVCI22jMTwLQR9AbckbBa8dwRCdCgJlAugmopxUaaPRZUrmLAH3XTfWsqFAGQYA1O5MhPcvYUZpvG3ZE-3D&ref=backstagecircle.com). ## About InTension Industries: InTension Industries is a Provo, Utah-based independent film production company focused on developing and producing genre-driven entertainment. Led by experienced film producers and entertainment executives, the company brings together expertise in major studio productions, independent filmmaking, business development and distribution. Its projects include "Whiskey Throttle" and the upcoming science fiction thriller "Sentinel." Through initiatives such as The Million-Dollar Shortcut, InTension Industries seeks to discover emerging filmmaking talent and connect audiences with original storytelling. Website -[intensionfilms.com](https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rCyTXCZ9tvF9cjTMwJVsQF4g94ZPui2iTQMD7-2FXUbbCYBfHFy%5FFsntQzFBhILhvn8cv2Wf9qA80r8uCuAx2m7-2FMp871C2ILVMtEO5Dggi9xpCVhAX2HXMURjPRmyYWGcZ3i0euDNZQjsftypCPysB7OEwF7EkSm4UJHHfD0Yj-2F0n5RJn46pWHTfoWgm22p9qMPACNaiR8BeyS4177g6aLCV2NT-2BzIZ70EZz2p3Op7g0fGVcJgL-2FUA4l9wbPy8p9yToUh3d8ieTPTvo1hE0Xa7AAyf1ujtgAKdUH0yh44AL2ZYeKlk-2FHWw8iw0ml2uPaE4BCDHERUfl2yXgOq5Jqn915JtzKS7NTbilrA-2BxLdy-2BFpLr30DgtSRpD8EbWlA5D-2BLhUEXmPh21nhyi5aZjc0KeWkXV-2FJw-3D&ref=backstagecircle.com)