Embedded Files
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Ready to Submit?
Submissions are open through December 1st, 2025 to February 2nd, 2026
Drama
Drama
Content in this category includes:
Original fictional and non-fiction stories that have a more serious tone that portray real-life scenarios or challenging circumstances.
If your piece is less than two minutes, enter it in the Super Shorts category.
Media requirements:
Total Length: 3-10 minutes
Media File Format: MOV or MP4; 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) or greater
Media Layout: Horizontal/widescreen (16:9)
Title: 50 characters max (on screen and in submission form)
Opening Titles/Intro: 15 seconds or less
Credit Length: 30 seconds or less (no post-roll scenes!)
Comedy
Comedy
Content in this category includes:
Original fictional stories that have a more lighthearted tone that portray real-life scenarios or humorous circumstances.
If your piece is less than two minutes, enter it in the Super Shorts category.
Media requirements:
Total Length: 3-10 minutes
Media File Format: MOV or MP4; 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) or greater
Media Layout: Horizontal/widescreen (16:9)
Title: 50 characters max (on screen and in submission form)
Opening Titles/Intro: 15 seconds or less
Credit Length: 30 seconds or less (no post-roll scenes!)
Horror
Horror
Content in this category includes:
Original fictional stories with a suspenseful tone that portray frightening images, themes, and situations.
You cannot depict death or gore in any way. It must still be PG-13!
If your piece is less than two minutes, enter it in the Super Shorts category.
Media requirements:
Total Length: 3-10minutes
Media File Format: MOV or MP4; 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) or greater
Media Layout: Horizontal/widescreen (16:9)
Title: 50 characters max (on screen and in submission form)
Opening Titles/Intro: 15 seconds or less
Credit Length: 30 seconds or less (no post-roll scenes!)
Animation
Animation
Content in this category includes:
Original animated short stories that are fictional or true in any genre: drama, comedy, horror, musical, fantasy, sci-fi, sports, biographical, or cross-genres.
The piece can be fully animated or live action with animated effects.
If your piece is less than two minutes, enter it in the Super Shorts category.
Media requirements:
Total Length: 2-10 minutes
Media File Format: MOV or MP4; 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) or greater
Media Layout: Horizontal/widescreen (16:9)
Title: 50 characters max (on screen and in submission form)
Opening Titles/Intro: 15 seconds or less
Credit Length: 30 seconds or less (no post-roll scenes!)
Super Shorts
Super Shorts
Content in this category includes:
Any video that is 30-90 seconds long, including music and dancing clips, original stories and skits, sports highlights, and more!
Media requirements:
Total Video Length: 30-90 seconds
Media Format: Varies; videos should be MOV or MP4; 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) or greater
Media Layout: Horizontal (16:9) and vertical layouts (9:16) are ok, especially for TikToks.
Title: 50 characters max (in submission form)
Experimental
Experimental
Content in this category includes:
Original experimental films that pushes the boundaries of storytelling or multimedia in any genre: drama, comedy, horror, musical, fantasy, sci-fi, sports, biographical, or across-genres.
If your piece is less than two minutes, enter it in the Super Shorts category.
Media requirements:
Total Length: 3-10 minutes
Media File Format: MOV or MP4; 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) or greater
Media Layout: Horizontal layout (16:9) strongly preferred but vertical layout (9:16) ok if necessary for artistic reasons.
Title: 50 characters max (on screen and in submission form)
Opening Titles/Intro: 15 seconds or less
Credit Length: 30 seconds or less (no post-roll scenes!)
Middle School
Middle School
Content in this category includes:
Original short films created by middle school students in Contra Costa County in any genre: drama, comedy, horror, musical, fantasy, sci-fi, sports, biographical, or across-genres.
Middle school students cannot submit to any other category.
Media requirements:
Total Length: 3-8 minutes
Media File Format: MOV or MP4; 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) or greater
Media Layout: Horizontal layout (16:9) strongly preferred but vertical layout (9:16) ok if necessary for artistic reasons.
Title: 50 characters max (on screen and in submission form)
Opening Titles/Intro: 15 seconds or less
Credit Length: 30 seconds or less (no post-roll scenes!)
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