Submissions for the Annual ABCUSD Film Festival 2026 are now open!
Current ABCUSD students in 7th-12th grade can compete in seven film categories: Short Film, Documentary, Promotional, Commercial, PSA, Animation, How-To and a Movie Poster category.
Students are encouraged to explore any of the seven categories for their submissions, and are welcome to submit work created for class projects or other competitions.
Please ensure you thoroughly review the eligibility, rules, and guidelines before proceeding.
The deadlines for submissions are:
Movie Posters - March 11, 2026 11:59 P.M.
Films - March 25, 2026 11:59 P.M.
Film Festival Categories
Design an eye-catching and creative movie poster that represents the spirit of a fictional film of your creation. Your poster should capture the audience’s attention, showcase your artistic and digital technology skills, and effectively communicate the theme, tone, or message of the film.
Size: 11x17 inches
Format: Digital (JPEG or PDF, 300 DPI resolution)
Original artwork only—no copyrighted images or designs.
Ensure text is readable and visuals are high quality.
Content to include on poster:
Film title (must be prominently displayed)
Tagline (optional but encouraged)
Key visuals or graphics that reflect the film’s theme
Credits section (e.g., director, writer, and cast names—real or fictional)
Animation (3 minutes or less)
Celebrate the art of animated storytelling by creating a film using one of the following styles: stop-motion, cut-out animation, motion graphics, claymation, or AI-generated animation. Use your creativity and technical skills to bring characters, objects, or ideas to life in a way that captivates your audience. Focus on engaging visuals, imaginative storytelling, and offering a unique perspective to your viewers through animation.
Documentary (5 minutes or less)
Create a short documentary that captures real-life stories, moments, or issues in under 5 minutes. Your documentary can take many forms—whether it’s a news story, a Rock-U-Mentary about a band/artist, or a funny Mock-U-Mentary that puts a fun twist on real events. Focus on topics like personal journeys, cultural experiences, social issues, or unique discoveries. Use your skills to craft a clear and engaging narrative, supported by strong visuals and authentic storytelling.
How-To (3 minutes or less)
Create a fun and engaging instructional video that teaches the audience how to do something simple, such as tying a shoelace, making a snack, or mastering a quick life hack. Focus on clear instructions, step-by-step demonstrations, and a creative approach to keep viewers interested. Use visuals, music, and narration effectively to make your video both informative and entertaining. Remember to keep it concise!
Promotion/Commercial (30 seconds or less)
Create a persuasive film designed to sell a product, service or idea. In just 30 seconds, your film should grab the audience’s attention and communicate a clear, compelling message. Use strong storytelling, striking visuals, and emotional appeal to connect with the audience making them feel, think, and act—all within a 30-sec time frame!
Public Service Announcement (2 minutes or less)
Create a powerful and impactful PSA that shines a light on critical issues and inspires action. Use creative storytelling to deliver a clear and urgent message on topics that matter to your community and the world. Your goal is to make a lasting impression in 1 minute or less, motivating viewers to think, feel, and take meaningful steps toward positive change.
Examples include:
Environment
Reducing Plastic Waste: Use Reusable Items
Conserving Energy: Turn Off the Lights
Recycling: Make It a Habit
Community and Kindness
Random Acts of Kindness
Standing Up Against Bullying
Helping New Students Feel Welcome
Personal Growth
The Benefits of Reading Every Day
Time Management Tips for Students
How to Stay Motivated in School
Digital Responsibility
Think Before You Post: Social Media Etiquette
Protecting Personal Information Online
The Importance of Screen-Time Balance
Short Film (5 minutes or less)
Create a short film that tells a complete and compelling story in 5 minutes or less. Use your creativity to develop imaginative visuals, engaging characters, and a strong narrative. Whether it’s a comedy, drama, or something totally unique, focus on delivering a clear and memorable story. Make sure your film demonstrates your best skills in storytelling, directing, and editing. Keep it concise, impactful, and original!
Important Information
General Rules
Must be a current ABCUSD student in 7th-12th grades.
Format and length (Specified under Formatting Requirements below)
Limit of 2 entries per student.
All films that are not in English must have English language subtitles.
Must include the following information:
Directed by, production Team, Royalty free Music, School Site, Age, and Grade.
A signed Media Release form will be required for every person that worked on the film (crew), acted in the film (cast), or whose voice can be heard in the film (cast).
Overall Guidelines
No violence (acts, weapons, blood, etc.)
No profanities
No drugs
No bullying
No sexual content
No politics
Copyright free music & visuals
FORMAT SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL FILM SUBMISSIONS
1080p, H.264, Audio -6dB
Films should be submitted in .mov, .mp4, or .m4v format.
Premiere Pro: Export in 1080p
WE Video: Export to Mp4
Submission (file) Naming Convention:
LastName_School_Category
*For School name use abbreviation, CHS, AHS, etc.
FORMAT FOR MOVIE POSTER DESIGN SUBMISSIONS
Size: 11x17 inches
Format: Digital (JPEG or PDF)
Original artwork only—no copyrighted images or designs.
Ensure text is readable and visuals are high quality.
Content to include on Movie Poster:
Film title (must be prominently displayed)
Tagline (optional but encouraged)
Key visuals or graphics that reflect the film’s theme
Credits section (e.g., director, writer, and cast names—fictional)
Movie Poster Submission (file) Naming Convention:
LastName_School_Poster
*For School name use abbreviation, CHS, AHS, etc.
If you need additional support, please contact a CTE Film/Media Teachers at your school site:
Carmenita Middle School - Ms. Angela Kao and Ms. Jamie Kenyon
Fedde Middle School - Mr. Joseph Ochoa
Haskell Middle School - Mr. Eric Gutierrez and Mr. Joseph Ochoa
Ross Middle School - Mr. John Sandate
Tetzlaff Middle School - Mr. Ryan Romero
Artesia High School - Mr. Joe Romero
Cerritos High School - Mr. Joe Randeen
Gahr High School - Mrs. Kerry Grover
Tracy High School - Ms. Priscilla Rodriguez
Whitney High School - Mr. Daryl David
Ready To Submit?
Join one of the Google Classrooms below to receive information leading up to the event and to submit your projects.
↗️ Middle School Google Classroom
Class Code 5bxgvuft
↗️ High School Google Classroom
Class Code l7dwt4zy