There seems to be no shortage lately of local filmmaking contests. Just in time for the holidays, here's another one, from the Pittsburgh Jewish Film Forum. It carries a top prize of $10,000, and two $3,000 prizes too.

The forum -- which puts on the long-running J Film fesival -- this week announced a call for entries for The Robinson International Short Film Competition.

The contest is open to all independent filmmakers, including pros and collegiate and graduate-level film students. 

The entry criteria: The film must be a Pittsburgh premiere, have a running time of 40 minutes or less, and have been completed in 2009 or later. Entries can be narrative, documentary or animated, and -- here's the key and most subjective criteria -- "must contain an essence of Jewishness as represented by theme, history or culture."

The deadline is Jan. 31. You can find full details at jfilmpgh.org/page.aspx?id=249250.