Rules and Guidelines

Please review the rules and guidelines prior to submitting your film. We also encourage you to read the Frequently Asked Questions page for additional information.

No student will be excluded from participation in this program on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, or national origin.

    1. All films must be produced solely by students currently enrolled and attending a New Hampshire public or private high school (grades 9-12). Submitting students can be either New Hampshire residents or out-of-state residents attending school in-state. New Hampshire homeschooled students ages 14-18 are also eligible.
    2. Adult involvement in the project is limited to on-screen talent and/or as a faculty adviser.
    3. Films can be no longer than seven minutes (7:00) in length, including titles and credits. There is no minimum time limit.
    4. Films must have been produced after May 19, 2018.
    5. Films can either be produced as part of a school project or independently.
    6. Students may only submit one project where they are the official applicant or listed as director. A project can have a total of up to four students attached as crew members. Awards are given only to those listed on the submission packet. Students may submit a project as the official applicant and still be listed in another project as crew. See “How do I submit my team project?” in our FAQs.
    7. Submitted films must be original works and filmmakers must be able to provide proof of licensing for any copyrighted material featured in the project to be eligible. Proper on-screen credit for licensed work is also required. IF YOUR FILM HAS COPYRIGHTED MUSIC AND YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO USE IT, YOUR FILM WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE.
    8. A Parent/Guardian Consent Form must accompany all applicants registered with a project submission regardless of age. Submissions will only be accepted through FilmFreeway.
    9. Once a project has been submitted for consideration, no revisions will be accepted.

Content Philosophy

The purpose of the New Hampshire High School Short Film Festival is to provide New Hampshire students with the opportunity to explore cinematic storytelling and create films that reflect the voice and vision of the filmmaker and his/her collaborators.

While we encourage students to think outside of the box and produce works unique unto themselves, we understand that student filmmakers begin their artistic journeys by emulating themes and styles of directors and works that especially appeal to them. We understand that filmmaking can be a raw and heartfelt artistic outlet, not only for students, but also for filmmakers at any skill level, and we realize that an earnest approach to any art can occasionally yield subject matter that may not be suitable for all audiences.

As each film submitted to the High School Student Film Festival will be pre-screened by the festival selection committee, we will note in our program and promotional material those films that may have mature content and subject matter, and we reserve the right to refuse screening any film with content deemed especially gratuitous.