Film and music enthusiasts can come together at the 40 Watt Club to kick off the opening of AthFest. Now in its fourth year, the Sprockets Music & Video Show screens local artists’ and filmmakers’ work in their music video competition.

Screening of the music videos officially commences the festivities for the week on Wednesday, June 20.

Winners of the Sprockets awards are bestowed with either the “Best Music Video” or “Audience Choice” titles. Comprised of five unbiased movie and film industry professionals, the judges’ panel selects the “Best Music Video” of the night.

“We try to mix it up with academic, production and media,” said Danielle Robarge, Sprockets’ organizer. “We make an effort to select judges with a wide range of experience and backgrounds so judges are able to use their specific expertise in the selections.”

Bruce Burch, administrative director of the University’s Music Business program and a judge on this year’s panel, said he looks forward to judging the event.

“There are great videos in competition this year,” he said.

Those not graced with an invitation to be a judge can vote with the audience for his or her favorite video. The “Best Music Video” and “Audience Choice” videos will be screened and awarded at the Flagpole Music Awards on June 21 at the Morton Theatre.

Ken Will Morton, whose video has been admitted into the competition, said he’d like to win “Most Dramatic Local Musician.”

“But they don’t have that category yet,” he said.

After being approached by AthFest to incorporate a film component into the festival, local non-profit Film::Athens deemed it logical to organize a music video competition.

“It seems to be something that folks look forward to,” Robarge said. “Often we have people come up to us and talk about specific videos they liked from past years.”

Among the music video features and awards casting will also be two shorts. Produced by Clint and Jeremy of Vision Video, the animated film reels tackle the subject “Haircuts That Changed History” this year.

“Sprockets has had success with people getting into unique visual components,” said AthFest promoter Jeff Montgomery. “Some people can come out if it will make a name for themselves.”