EASTHAMPTON – As some communities and cities cancel trick or treating, families may be looking for fun-filled ways to celebrate the Halloween season. Easthampton Media, the public access station for Easthampton and Southampton, is hosting its first Halloween Video Festival.

Due to COVID-19, fall festivities have been altered and cancelled. For this contest, people can participate without even leaving their home. Families in the community are encouraged to use their imaginations in creating a short film that falls under the Halloween or horror genre that will be aired on Easthampton Media. The video can range from live action, stop motion, animation, to music videos.

According to Jenn Ramsay, executive director of Easthampton Media, and Ryan Arnold, production coordinator, this idea was a collaborative effort presented through the staff and board of directors.

Ramsay explained, “The festival involves people in community media. It’s a fun family affair and it gives them something to do in their bubbles.”

Each video should range between two to five minutes in length. Rules and regulations include no copyrighted material such as music and to keep it PG-13 for kids. Participants of all ages are welcome.

The submission date is Oct. 25. The screening will take place on Oct. 30, at 6 p.m. Videos will be aired on Zoom, livestreamed on Facebook, YouTube, and public access channel 191 in Easthampton and Southampton. Members of this station have received newsletters, emails and community calendar reminders in between channels regarding this event. However, it’s not limited to members only. Easthampton Media offers training so that people who want access can get it.

There is no cost to enter this contest. Ramsay emphasized that the overall prize for participants is “just to have fun.”

Arnold said, “There are a lot of talented people in our community. I’m hoping to see the skills and excitement they bring and I’m looking forward to what they can put together.”

 Since the Rag Shag Parade was canceled, Easthampton Media has also teamed up with the Easthampton Parks & Recreation to invite folks in Easthampton to be a part of a Rag Shag Video. Community members can submit pictures or short video clips of their families, children and pets in costume to be a part of the video. The deadline to submit is Oct. 25 by 11:59 p.m. Email photos or videos  to ryan@easthamptonmedia.org; send via Facebook Messenger to Easthampton Media; or upload them to http://bit.ly/ragshag2020.

Easthampton Media hopes to make this an annual event, if the videos are well received.

Additional information can be found at Easthamptonmedia.org.