ASHFIELD — The organizers of the 17th annual Ashfield FilmFest have a new challenge for filmmakers in western Massachusetts, and a $1,000 prize for the filmmaker who best meets it.

This year’s event, set for Sept. 19 and Sept. 20, will feature a special contest category. Filmmakers are asked to respond to the ideas of philosopher George Santayana, who once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Organizer Tamara Sloan said festival organizers were approached by an anonymous donor who wanted to offer a prize for a film inspired by this concept.

“An anonymous donor approached us and offered us a $1,000 prize for a film about history,” Sloan said. “They were clear it didn’t have to be about a heavy topic; it could be something silly, like learning the correct settings for a toaster after burning toast.”

Sloan said films could be about light-hearted lessons learned, reflections on the nation’s 250th anniversary or commentary on the current political climate.

“We’re living in pretty unprecedented times,” Sloan said. “It’s a good time to learn about our history and reflect.”

The $1,000 prize is for this year’s festival only, and submissions must meet all the rules and criteria of past years, she said.

Submissions must be five minutes or less and have some connection to western Massachusetts, whether the filmmaker is from the region or the film is shot here. Organizers added that films should be family-friendly as the screening in September is open to audiences of all ages.

In addition to the special history prize, filmmakers will have a chance to win one of the other awards that are offered annually. Prizes vary depending on the types of short films submitted, and can include awards for Best Actor, Best Animation, Best Musical Score, Technical Achievement, Best Youth Film, Best Documentary and Best Comedy/Musical/Experimental.

“We wouldn’t offer a music video award if there aren’t a lot of music video submissions,” Sloan noted. “We can’t promise anything.”

And, as always, one film will win the Grand Prize and Baby Cecil Trophy, which is being merged with the Audience Choice Award this year.

Sloan said festival organizers were inspired by the anonymous donation to review their own prizes and decided to increase the cash given for awards. This year’s prizes will be $250 for each category and $500 for the Grand Prize.

The 26 entries received in 2024 set a new record for the Ashfield FilmFest, Sloan said. She hopes the increase in prize money and the additional $1,000 award will result in an even more competitive festival, particularly with more entries from youth.

“I’m hoping to get more youth entries,” Sloan said. “We welcome entries from polished, experienced filmmakers, as well as first-timers, and it’s often people who are trying to make a film for the first time that create the funniest entries.”

Submissions are due Aug. 31 at filmfreeway.com/ashfieldfilmfest and will be screened on Sept. 20. On Sept. 19, the festival will screen a feature film, which has yet to be determined.

For more information, visit ashfieldfilmfest.org.

Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.