The Wyoming Film Office has launched a free-to-enter short film contest to find top filmmaking talent, offering a $25,000 production budget for the best short entry.

The Wyoming Short Film Contest is inviting filmmakers from around the world to submit their shorts online before April 2nd, with a total running time of no more than 15 minutes.

Professional filmmakers as well as film students can submit their films in any genre including documentary, animation and narrative fiction.

A judging panel of film industry professionals will review the entries for this year's contest and announce a winner on May 1st 2015. Participants are also invited to vote for their favorite films once they have set up an account.

Entries will be judged on several criteria including editing, production values, sound design, story, performances and cinematography.

Medicine Bow National Forest. Located between Cheyenne and Laramie on Hwy 80

In order to qualify, filmmakers need to include Wyoming as a major character in the story, feature Wyoming or have their film physically take place in the state. Filmmakers must be at least 13 years old to submit an entry. A maximum of 3 entries are allowed per person, with 1 vote per entry.

To find out more check out the official contest website along with the entry requirements to submit your short film.