For 50 hours, in just over a month, filmmakers will descend on Renton inside and out for the fourth annual Renton FilmFrenzy.

They’ll compete for $1,700 in prizes in two divisions – and a Curvee Award – Oct. 7-9.

Registration for the filmmaking competition is now open. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. Oct. 1.

Application forms, rules and other information are available online.

“Thanks to our partnerships with SIFF, Reel Grrls, theFilmSchool, area filmmaking programs and the Renton Arts Commission, the Renton FilmFrenzy continues to expand and has become an integral part of the growing and strong Renton arts community,” said Renton Mayor Denis Law.

For the first time, all films will show during the Renton FilmFrenzy Screening at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, at the Renton Civic Theatre on South Third Street.

“We heard from participants last year that they wanted to have an opportunity to view all of the submitted films in one place, so we created the FilmFrenzy Screening,” said Suzanne Dale Estey, Renton’s Economic Development director.

The following evening, Oct. 25, it’s the fourth annual Curvee Awards Gala at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center where the cash awards and Curvee Awards are presented. The top films will be screened.

Also during the gala, theFilmSchool will present the Frenzy Screenwriting Award. theFilmSchool is a Seattle-based program which “elevates the art of cinematic storytelling through intensive training in screenwriting and directing.” Reel Grlls, which “empowers young women from diverse communities to realize their power, talent, and influence through media production,” will present the Woman Filmmaker Award.

Then on Wednesday, Oct. 26, FilmFrenzy activities wrap-up with a chance to meet with the filmmakers during the Downtown Renton FilmTalk.

The Renton Reporter again will host the online voting for the People’s Choice Award at rentonreporter.com. All films entered will be posted on the Renton Reporter website for viewing and voting after the Curvee Awards Gala. The winning film will receive a special “People’s Choice” Curvee award at a November Renton City Council meeting.

The competition begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, when the filmmakers receive their “CurveBall Challenges – a line of dialogue, a task or a shot at a specific location in Renton. Then, they have through 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9, to write, shoot, edit and submit a short film.

Filmmakers can use any genre for their four-minute film, which must be shot entirely in Renton – and be suitable for all ages.

There are two divisions, Student Division for high school students and younger (entry fee, $25), and the Open Division (entry fee, $50).

“In the past, the Open Division winner has always won the Best Picture award,” said Dale Estey said. “For 2011, we’ve changed our awards so the Best Picture award winner will not receive an Open or Student Division cash prize. This allows us to recognize an additional filmmaking team.”

FilmFrenzy will submit the top award-winning shorts to other area film festivals as an additional prize.

“This gives our participating filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their films at other festivals, without having to pay for the entry fees, and gives us the opportunity to continue to market and grow the Renton FilmFrenzy,” she said.

The judges are Dustin Kaspar, Seattle International Film Festival; Dan Molvar, MagicHour Films; Jim Dever, KING TV; Sarah Eldridge, Renton Municipal Arts Commission, and representatives from theFilmSchool and Reel Grrls.

THE PRIZES

Best Picture $500

Open Division

First Prize $250

Second Prize $200

Third Prize $150

Student Division

First Prize $250

Second Prize $200

Third Prize $150

Other Curvees will be presented for:

Screenwriter’s Award

Woman Filmmaker

Best Actor

Best Use of Renton

Special Judges Award