2025 STUDENT FILM COMPETITON
Over the past three years as a cornerstone event, the Central Coast Film Society has granted scholarships to deserving High School Students who demonstrated excellence in Film Arts, Creative Writing/Screenwriting, and Photography. You can view past winners here. It has been an honor and a joy to witness these students embark on creative journeys, using tools at their disposal to craft stories with images and words.
In 2025, the CCFS aims to expand this program by offering over $2000 in awards to students who showcase excellence in a variety of filmmaking aspects. The categories to be recognized are as follows:
In 2025, the CCFS aims to expand this program by offering over $2000 in awards to students who showcase excellence in a variety of filmmaking aspects. The categories to be recognized are as follows:
- Excellence in Filmmaking ($400)
- Achievement in Cinematography ($250)
- Achievement in Directing ($250)
- Achievement in Screenwriting ($250)
- Achievement in Editing ($250)
- Achievement in Sound ($250)
- Achievement in Documentary Filmmaking ($250)
- Technical Achievement ($250)
- Central Coast Spirit Award ($250)
- Film that best showcases the Central Coast
KEY DATES
ELIGIBILITY/REQUIREMENTS
- All applicants MUST be currently enrolled in a Central Coast High School
- All submissions must be NO LONGER than 5-minutes in length, and must not include explicit material of any kind.
- Films from the following categories are accepted:
- Narrative Live-Action Short Film (scripted)
- Narrative Animated Short Film (scripted)
- Documentary Short Film
- Animated Documentary Short Film
- Music Video
- Experimental
- Demo Reel
- Films or videos from the following categories are NOT accepted:
- VLOGs
- TikToks/Social Media Reels
- Slideshows
- Streaming Clips
- Films over 5 minutes
- Copyrighted music may be used if the song’s original artist and composer are credited
- Films from the following categories are accepted:
- All films must be submitted on FilmFreeway, and the following materials must be emailed to [email protected]
- Full Name
- School Name
- Date of submission
- Title and description of your submission including inspiration behind the work, any interesting facts/challenges about the project, and what you hope the film expresses about your filmmaking passions (no more than 5-7 lines)
- Student ID
Plagiarism: CCFS has a no-tolerance policy for plagiarism. Any applicant whose winning work is determined to be plagiarized in whole or in part will forfeit any awards.
AWARD AND JUDGING GUIDELINES
- All films are judged by a panel of professional filmmakers and educators from the Central Coast. All judging takes place before the screening event. Any and all feedback from judges can be requested by all entrants.
- Please click here for a comprehensive document outlining rubric/judging guidelines for each category.
CONTACT
EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS: For any immediate questions please contact us via email:
[email protected]
[email protected]