AMV News

COAF AMVs

Colorado Anime Fest is returning for its fourth year in 2019! This year, to help the con grow, we are looking forward to a new, larger hotel and convention space with an upgraded Main Events hall where our AMV contest will be shown. We are accepting submissions for our AMV Contest now and are excited to see all of your submissions and share the finalists with our convention.

Submissions are open until end of day on April 4th, 2019.

Categories

There are six categories for the COAF 2019 contest:

• Positivity: Your happy endings, words of encouragement, and unicorns go here.
• Intensity: Action, suspense, wild digital effects, conflict!
• Drama / Romance: Epic sagas, loss, romance, triumph! Things which give everyone the feels!
• The Americans: All AMVs with non-Japanese animation go here. Got an epic idea for a Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, Star Wars Rebels, or My Little Pony AMV? Now we have a category for you!
• Trailers: Now playing at an AMV contest near you…
Fake commercials also fit in here.
• Rabbits - 2019 Wild Card Category: New for 2019, we will have a wild card category which will change every year. This year in honor of COAF being held on Easter Weekend, our category is Rabbits. Please send us your best rabbit themed videos!

In addition, we will award two other prizes: Judges’ Choice, chosen by our panel of AMV judges, and Best In Show, chosen by our attendees.

New for 2019

• Updated categories.
• Helpful Hints section added to rules page.
• Videos now must be submitted with details regarding anime used and music/audio used.

Content Restrictions

We try to run a clean show. All videos submitted must be PG-13 or below. This means we want NONE of the following: panty shots, exposure or fondling of ‘private parts,’ gross or gory dismemberment, profanity (swear words,) or themes likely to insult or disparage by race, social class, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexuality – because that’s NO FUN for anybody.

Also, you can make your own subtitles, but you should remove subtitles from your source material. You must also remove any broadcast logos and any other commercial logos (such as DiVX) from your video. (One exception to this rule is if the AMV is a parody of incompetent video editing…)

Finally, it’s not a music video if it does not have music through at least 80% of the video (except for the Trailers category).

What counts as anime?

Anime is animation created first in Japan by Japanese artists and studios, including Japanese games. All entries must have at least 90% anime by frame count. Compositing anime onto other stuff makes it count as anime.

Submitting and Video Formats

Submit the form (linked below) with a link to your video.

Submissions must include what anime are used and what music and/or audio sources are used.

Videos must be downloadable as standalone video files (e.g. not YouTube) and accessible without a paid account. We recommend download pages from or AMV fansites such as Anime Music Videos .Org, AKROSS, AMV News, etc. where possible. We can also download from SendSpace and similar free services. (We’re happy to make alternate arrangements as well if need be.)

Link us to the best quality you can provide because we run our contest in 1080p and we want to show off your hard work as best we can. The minimum acceptable video resolution is 480p because anything less would look terrible, and the maximum is 1080p. And it’s 2019, so there’s no such thing as a maximum file size, just data caps, so maybe don’t send a HuffYUV file.

Videos should be playable without additional codecs or configuration in VLC. These support a vast array of codecs and containers, so it shouldn’t be a limiting factor. But if your video can’t be played in either of those players, we would need to convert it to be shown in the contest regardless, and the quality will be better if you export a supported format than if we transcode your ideal format into something that we can easily play.

• Preferred containers: MKV, AVI, MPG, and MP4.
• Preferred video codecs: H.264 and MPEG-4.
• Preferred audio codecs: AAC, MP3, and AC-3.

The ideal video for our presentation has a 1080p resolution; has video encoded in H.264; has audio downmixed to stereo and encoded in AAC; and is stored in an MKV file. While H.265/HEVC is new and awesome, its ecosystem isn’t as mature as our preferred H.264, so we would prefer H.264 over H.265 even if it’s at the expense of a larger video file (we have lots of bandwidth and storage space).

Helpful Hints

We want everyone to have the best entries they can. Please refer to these helpful hints to ensure the best submissions you can make:

• AMVs are more likely to be selected if they are more than just clips of anime put to music. Do your best to create AMVs which tell a story or have a clear theme.

• Avoid content which changes resolution or aspect ratio. While sometimes this can be acceptable, such as when videos move from old to new content as part of its theme, generally this should be avoided.

• Do not include overlays on the AMV which are otherwise not part of the AMV such as overlays which introduce the video. We will be adding our own overlays to introduce each video for the AMV showings.

• Avoid having any footage before or after your video. It helps us a lot when prepping for the AMV showing if we do not need to cut frames before or after your video.

• Most of all, when making your videos, think about the music videos and trailers you have enjoyed the most and why. Be creative and make something you like and others will like it too.

Deadlines

Submissions must be sent in by 11:59 PM Mountain Standard Time (UTC -7) on April 4th, 2019.

A panel of judges will convene to review all entries and select up to six AMVs per category. The judges’ decisions on the playlist is final.

All entries must have premiered or been created no earlier than January 1, 2018.

Prizes

Every winning video will receive a cash prize. (Who doesn’t like cash?)

• The winner of each category will receive $50.
• The winner of the Judges’ Choice award will receive $50.
• The winner of the Best In Show award will receive $100.

Prizes stack for videos that win multiple awards. Winners will receive an e-mail in the weeks following the convention to arrange receipt of the prize. Winners outside the US will receive the equivalent of $50 in their local currency where possible.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!

Now that you’ve read the rules, submit an AMV!

COAF AMVs

As we receive entries into the contest, we are emailing confirmations this year. The confirmations will come from amvs@coanimefest.com. If you do not see confirmation within 72 hours of submission, feel free to reach out for assistance.

COAF AMVs

There is now only two months left to enter. We look forward to everyone's entries.

COAF AMVs

Less than one month to go! Get those entries in!

COAF AMVs

Only two weeks left to enter!

COAF AMVs

Last week for entries!

COAF AMVs

Just a reminder that the entry deadline is tomorrow, Thursday, April 4th, 11:59 PM Mountain Standard Time / Pacific Daylight Time (UTC -7). Sorry for the time zone confusion. This year we crossed the Daylight Savings Time change prior to the end of the contest.

COAF AMVs

For those of you who have filled in the entry form more than once for the same video, we will take you last submission for the version of the video used in the contest and for the category it will compete in.

COAF AMVs

Last day to enter your videos!

COAF AMVs

The contest is closed for entries. The judges will review all entries and choose the finalists and a judge's choice award. The finalists will be shown at Colorado Anime Fest where the audience vote will decide the winners for each category and Best of Show. Good luck to everyone who entered!

COAF AMVs

Here is the list of finalists selected by our judges and shown at Colorado Anime Fest 2019 on April 19th and 20th. This list is in the order the videos were shown:

Trailers:

Video Name: "Chi: Battle Persocom"
Editor: ShizayaFanart
Anime: "Chobits"
Audio: "Alita: Battle Angel (Trailer)"

Video Name: "genesis:LOCK"
Editor: TwigglyFiggly (Parker Doss)
Anime: "Neon Genesis Evangelion"
Audio: "gen:LOCK Official (Trailer)"

Video Name: "MHA: Infinity War"
Editor: Opner
Anime: "Boku no Hero Academia"
Audio: "Avengers: Infinity War (Trailer)"

Video Name: "Plus Ultra Bodywash"
Editor: Maboroshi Studio
Anime: "My Hero Academia"
Audio: Old Spice Commercials

Video Name: "Madoka and the Nutcracker Witch"
Editor: Kireblue
Anime: "Puella Magi Madoka Magica"
Audio: "The Nutcracker And The Four Realms (Trailer)"

Video Name: "Light Music Rhapsody"
Editor: shorisquared
Anime: "K-On!"
Audio: "Bohemian Rhapsody (Trailer)"

The Americans:

Video Name: "The Guardians of Final Space"
Editor: BecauseImBored1
Cartoon: "Final Space"
Audio: "Guardians of the Galaxy (Trailer)"

Video Name: "Vivant"
Editor: PieandBeer
Cartoon: "Wakfu"
Audio: "I Lived" by OneRepublic

Video Name: "Sedulous Noughts"
Editor: Xophilarus
Cartoon: "Mo Dao Zu Shi"
Audio: "Nightwish" by Élan

Video Name: "Look What You Made Me Do"
Editor: Maidmisachan
Cartoon: "Tangled: The Series"
Audio: "Look What You Made Me Do (Cover)" by Caleb Hyles

Video Name: "Survivor"
Editor: Maboroshi Studio
Cartoon: "She-Ra and the Princesses of Power"
Audio: "Survivor" by 2WEI

Video Name: "feel good"
Editor: AngelMaeVictory
Cartoon: "Inside Out"
Audio: "Feel Good" by Daya, Gryffin & Illenium

Drama / Romance:

Video Name: "Going Under"
Editor: DopplerDo
Anime: "Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Rebellion"
Audio: "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" by XYLO

Video Name: "Line of Sight"
Editor: Salt AMV
Anime: "Your Lie in April"
Audio: "Line of Sight" by ODESZA

Video Name: "A New Light"
Editor: UnluckyArtist
Anime: "Fireworks"
Audio: "New Light" by John Mayer

Video Name: "Undefined"
Editor: Troubleclef
Anime: "Bloom Into You"
Audio: "She" by Dodie

Video Name: "As We Fall"
Editor: Mysunsai
Anime: "Patema Inverted"
Audio: "Astronomical" by SVRCINA

Video Name: "...what if..."
Editor: AngelMaeVictory
Anime: "Fireworks"
Audio: "What If" by Johnny Orlando & Mackenzie Ziegler

Intensity:

Video Name: "Destined"
Editor: l_Tic-Tac_l
Anime: "Gakusen Toshi Asterisk, Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry"
Audio: "Throne" by Bring Me the Horizon

Video Name: "Broken"
Editor: Player One
Anime: "Akame ga Kill"
Audio: "Breaking Now" by From Ashes to New

Video Name: "Dancing With The Moonlight"
Editor: Oscar
Anime: "Welcome to the Ballroom"
Audio: "The Wolf" by SIAMÉS

Video Name: "Row Row Remix"
Editor: BecauseImBored1
Anime: "Gurren Lagann"
Audio: "We Will Robot Rock You" by Daft Punk vs Queen

Video Name: "Adrenaline"
Editor: Rider4Z
Anime: "Dragonball Super Broly"
Audio: "Whatever It Takes" by Imagine Dragons

Video Name: "Gilded"
Editor: SuperEltanin
Anime: "Haikyuu!!"
Audio: "Golden" by Parade of Lights

Positivity:

Video Name: "It's Up to Yuri"
Editor: Rider4Z
Anime: "Yuri on Ice"
Audio: "One Last Hope" by Danny DeVito

Video Name: "Bananya Cat - Cuteness Overload"
Editor: Studio le Croc
Anime: "Bananya Cat"
Audio: "Banana Cat" by Parry Gripp

Video Name: "Undeadman Zombieland"
Editor: PaNTSU oF d00m
Anime: "Zombieland Saga"
Audio: "The Greatest Show" from "The Greatest Showman"

Video Name: "Mummy Days"
Editor: TheDestineeAMV
Anime: "How to Keep a Mummy"
Audio: "The Days" by Avicii

Video Name: "Miracle Whip"
Editor: Mycathatesyou69
Anime: "Zombie Land Saga" and Various
Audio: "Uma Thurman" by Fall Out Boy

Video Name: "Happy Little Clouds"
Editor: Glitzer
Anime: Various
Audio: "Bob Ross Remixed" by Melodysheep

Rabbits:

Video Name: "The Ouran Book Report"
Editor: AquaSorceress
Anime: "Ouran Highschool Host Club" and Various
Audio: "The Book Report - You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown"

An important note regarding the Rabbits category: We unfortunately only had two entries in woud 2019 Wild Card Category of Rabbits. One of the entries unfortunately was based on a Korean cartoon, so it could not be considered for finals. We appreciate the hard work put into both entries.

Winners will be posted shortly. Thank you everyone who entered the contest!

COAF AMVs

We are happy to announce the winners of the 2019 Colorado Anaime Fest AMV Contest!

The Americans:

Video Name: "feel good"
Editor: AngelMaeVictory
Cartoon: "Inside Out"
Audio: "Feel Good" by Daya, Gryffin & Illenium

Drama / Romance:

Video Name: "As We Fall"
Editor: Mysunsai
Anime: "Patema Inverted"
Audio: "Astronomical" by SVRCINA

Intensity:

Video Name: "Adrenaline"
Editor: Rider4Z
Anime: "Dragonball Super Broly"
Audio: "Whatever It Takes" by Imagine Dragons

Rabbits:

Video Name: "The Ouran Book Report"
Editor: AquaSorceress
Anime: "Ouran Highschool Host Club" and Various
Audio: "The Book Report - You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown"

Positivity AND Judge's Choice:

Video Name: "Happy Little Clouds"
Editor: Glitzer
Anime: Various
Audio: "Bob Ross Remixed" by Melodysheep

Trailers AND Best In Show:

Video Name: "Plus Ultra Bodywash"
Editor: Maboroshi Studio
Anime: "My Hero Academia"
Audio: Old Spice Commercials

Again, thank you everyone who entered. We will be in contact with the winners so they can receive their prizes. We look forward to next year's contest!