The Disposable Film Festival is all about celebrating insanely creative videos and filmmaking techniques — and this year, we’re turning 10! Throughout that time, we’ve teamed up with Vimeo and seen incredible videos from the incredible community here, and submissions are now open until December 2. 

We’re always looking for the next wave in storytelling, and over the past decade we’ve had the honor of screening some really awesome zero-budget films that have invented new ways that tales can be told. It turns out that the limitations actually helped these amazing filmmakers come up with better ideas, and find new ways to express themselves. As the co-founder, here’s what I’ve learned in the last 10 years about how to best approach the filmmaking and submissions process.

1. Write from your heart — but also your wallet. You probably have a killer idea for a blockbuster packed with stunts and explosions. But let’s be real, if you don’t have $250 million burning a hole in your PayPal account, it ain’t gonna happen. On the other hand, maybe you can tell a story using only your phone and some friends at a party, like this awesomely scary short film, Les Ongles (The Nails).

2. It helps to get help from friends. Take stock of the talented folks you know who might want to make something with you. You might not have Roger Deakins on speed dial, but maybe one of your friends has a really great eye for composition on Instagram. See if she’ll help you to tell a story using only still photos, like this.

3. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (Rihanna). You probably already have a few cameras around. In fact, I’d wager that you’re looking at one right now. Accessorize your smartphone. There’s a ton of low-cost shooting tools that can help you get shots that’d otherwise require mounds of cash. Check out this this guy, who got shots from space with just a balloon, a GoPro, and a broken iPhone (and managed to become the world’s coolest dad in the process).

4. Have a sound strategy. It’s been said that sound is half the movie, but it’s probably more than that. Truth is, you can edit almost any footage into something cool, but if your sound sucks, it’ll drive everyone bananas. Your phone mic won’t cut it, and GoPros sound even worse. So, if you need sound to tell your story (and you probably do) you might want to invest in a zoom mic, which captures astonishingly good sound on a budget. You can get one that plugs into your phone for about $70, while a standalone starts at around $100. If that’s gonna break the bank, get creative. Use voicemails, SFX, or, better yet, ask your favorite band if you can make a video for them. They might even tell their other fans about it.

5. Big ideas beat big budgets. Bring that ethos to your film. Many of the greatest films ever made were done by people with a great idea, tons of style, and zero money. Just look at what this guy did with just some paper and ink.

So let your creativity flow, get started, and submit away. We look forward to seeing your projects!

More about the Disposable Film Festival: Selected by Moviemaker Magazine as one of “The World’s Coolest Film Festivals,” Disposable Film Festival has been, for a decade, a pioneer in bringing the best online video across the globe from the personal screen to the silver screen. Through screenings, workshops, competitions, panels, parties, and other events intended to educate and inspire, the DFF promotes and supports the next generation of filmmakers to enter and change the industry. The festival opens annually in San Francisco and is then travels around the world throughout the year.