Film Festival Poster Contest submissions are due December 9, 2026.

Films must have been created since the previous Film Festival's submission date: March 6, 2026.

Films must be submitted by 11:59 PM, March 4, 2027.

Film Festival is Friday, April 23, 2027 at 6:00 PM at Murphy High School.

All films MUST include credits.  

Credits must include writer, director, actor(s), videographer, and editor, even if it is all one person.  

All music and images used in the film must be cited, including Creative Commons, Public Domain, and original music.

For Canva and Adobe Express users, please note the following: Unless otherwise stated, all images (or music) are licensed under Canva (or Adobe).

Credits must also include which editing software was used to edit the film.

See example credits found on Resources page.

Participants may not have more than one film submitted to a single category.

Participants may submit separate films to separate categories.

For films conceptualized, edited, and directed by a group of students, the film must be submitted to the division that corresponds with the oldest participating student. 

For example, if two 8th graders and one 9th grader make a film, it must be submitted in the 9-12 division.

Each film may only be submitted to one category of one division.

Categories include: AI Created, Animation, Comedy, Commercial or PSA, Documentary, Drama, How-To, Music & Performing Arts, and Short Film

Divisions include: K-2 (Primary), 3-5 (Intermediate), 6-8 (Middle), 9-12 (High), & Teacher

Films that have been filmed, edited, or conceptualized by a teacher must be submitted to the Teacher division.

Parent and other adult-made films are not allowed.

For the K-2 division, students are still responsible for their film.

This includes brainstorming the idea, determining the structure, filming each shot, and editing the final product. 

Teachers may offer direct guidance with these tasks; however, the students are ultimately responsible for completing them.

For the 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 divisions, teachers or other adults may participate in an advisory role only.

Adults may offer guidance to help students meet the general requirements, such as avoiding copyright issues, keeping the film appropriate, determining the correct category, etc. 

Adults may act (play a part/role) in students' films.

Adults may not record shots for students' films, which includes holding cameras/phones.

Students are solely responsible for brainstorming the idea for the video, determining its structure, filming each shot, and editing the final product.

Films must not use copyrighted music or images without documented permission from the copyright holder. 

Films that do not meet this requirement will be disqualified.

Purchasing a song through iTunes or any other platform does NOT grant you rights to use the song in your film production. You must still seek written permission from the copyright holder.

Using a music-only or instrumental version of a copyrighted song is still copyright infringement. 

Generative AI automation tools that independently edit or assemble videos without student oversight remain strictly prohibited in traditional categories.

• Exception (AI Created Category): Students competing in the AI Created category may utilize generative AI tools (text-to-video, AI voice synthesis, prompt-based image/music generation, and hybrid live-action AI enhancements) under the direct prompting, creative direction, and editing control of the student.

AI Credits & Disclosure Requirement:

• All submissions to the AI Created category MUST include an explicit AI Disclosure Title Card in the end credits listing:

Films must be submitted in one of the following video file types: 

• • .mp4, .mov, .avi, or .webm

Films must not exceed 7 minutes in length, with the exception of Commercials, which must not exceed 60 seconds.  

The time limit DOES NOT include credits.

iMovie Trailers are not allowed, however iMovie can be used to edit a film.

Films must be appropriate for a K-12 school event. 

Films deemed inappropriate for a K-12 audience will be disqualified.