Please see bottom of the page for category definitions.

 

Junior (Grades 8-10)

Animation (Classical/2D/3D/Stop Motion)

Public Service Announcement or Promotional Video

Documentary

Music Video

Narrative Drama

Narrative Comedy

Narrative Thriller/Horror/Action

Experimental & Alternative Films

 

Senior (Grades 11-12)

Senior Classical / 2D Animation

Senior 3D / Stop Motion Animation

Public Service Announcement or Promo Video

Documentary

Music Video

Narrative - overall theme is serious and Dramatic

Narrative – overall theme is Comedic including Mockumentary

Narrative Thriller/Horror/Action

Experimental & Alternative Films

Action / Lifestyle

 

Open (Grades 8-12)

Long Form (up to 30 minutes)

Mentored Films (up to 10 minutes)

 

Category Definitions:

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• Documentary: Often called a “visual essay”, these are typically educational/informative in nature. If your movie describes a person, place or event, it is likely a documentary.
   

• Experimental & Alternative Films: Stylized content that does not follow a standard narrative or documentary structure.
   

• Long Form: Any film with a duration of 10 to 30 minutes. Please note that due to time constraints, the festival may not be able to include this film in the Gala screening.
   

• Mentored Films: These are films that have had significant outside support and mentorship throughout the entire filmmaking production process, but are still made by a student(s). This is an open category for students in grades 8-12.
   

• Music Video: A film used to accompany original music.
   

• Narrative Drama: Overall theme is serious and Dramatic. An inciting incident, rising action, climax style film. This is the most common form of student movie.
   

• Narrative Comedy: Overall theme is Comedic including Mockumentary. Same as above, but with a strong reliance on humour.
   

• Public Service Announcement (PSA) vs. Promo/Commercial: PSAs support a cause/position; commercials/promos are endorsing a product or company.

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