General Event Questions:
A: What is the All American High School Film Festival (AAHSFF)?
Q: The AAHSFF is the world's largest high school and middle school film and media arts festival. The festival experience offers a wide range of entertainment and resources offering young artists a grand stage to showcase their talent. AAHSFF is presented by Crave Student Arts, a 501c non-profit dedicated to providing resources and recognition to the next generation of creatives. The 2022 festival includes:
Screenings of hundreds of the best high school films from around the world.
The Nation’s Largest Film School & Media Arts College Fair featuring 30+ colleges and universities from around the country all here to recruit the best high school filmmakers to their programs (Includes a free lunch for all attendees!).
Interactive Exhibitions & Tech Fair featuring a variety of unique industry exhibitors and technology displays showcasing the latest film industry programs, products and software.
Panel Discussions & Workshops featuring industry leading experts and hands-on learning opportunities all based on topics chosen by student filmmakers.
Our epic Opening Night Party & Networking Dinner and Dance Cruise Event kicks-off the entire weekend with a three-hour private sightseeing voyage aboard the Spirit of NY while circling the island of Manhattan (landmarks include: the Brooklyn Bridge, Freedom Tower, Hudson Yards and the Statue of Liberty!). The dinner, dancing and incredible sightseeing provides all attendees an unforgettable NYC experience and the chance to cut loose and celebrate the weekend to come. Students often walk away with new friends to collaborate with on future projects. Space is limited and this event will sell out- don’t delay in purchasing your tickets!!!
Best of Fest featuring screenings of some of the year’s most entertaining films followed by a networking event for young filmmakers with a shared passion for all things film.
Teen Indie Awards Show is the Oscars for high school arts students. The formal event features a 40ft long red carpet/step & repeat, celebrity presenters and awarding over $500,00 in prizes and scholarships.
Film Invitational Competitions featuring a variety of on-site competitions designed to offer student filmmakers and their high school film programs a chance to participate in a true independent filmmaking experience in New York City.
Q: When is the 2022 Festival?
A: The 2022 Festival will be from October 21st to the 23rd, 2022 with the Film Invitational Competitions happening from October 19th to the 21st, 2022.
Q: Where is the 2022 Festival?
A: The 2022 festival will take place at various venues in New York City. The screenings, panels, technology showcase, college fair and Best of Fest will all take place at the AMC Empire 25 Theaters in Times Square (234 W42nd St NY NY 10036). The Teen Indie Awards Show will take place at the Kings Theater in Brooklyn (1027 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226). The Opening Night Party Dinner Cruise departs from Pier 61, Chelsea Piers aboard the Spirit of New York!
Q: Is personal camera equipment allowed at the Festival events?
A: Yes! Just no drones or jetpacks please. In fact, we offer two contests throughout the weekend that invite students to capture and share their unique festival experience. So bring all of your gear and create lasting memories of this very special weekend! Are you filming for a press outlet? If so please visit our Press Page.
Q: What is the festival Dress Code?
A: For most of our festival events we do not have a required dress code. But The Teen Indie Awards Show on Sunday is a "Red Carpet Event". You are not required to wear anything in particular but we encourage attendees to look their best.
Q: What is the Film Invitational?
A: This year our NYC Film Invitational is consists of 3 separate competitions designed to provide young filmmakers with a genuine independent film crew experience in the heart of New York City. For more detailed information on each competition, click here.
Q: What schools will be attending the College Fair?
A: We host the largest film and digital media arts College Fair in the country and we strive to bring the best schools every year. The list is always growing but you can find the most up to date information on our College Corner.
Q: Where is the college fair?
A: The College Fair is held at the AMC Theater Times Square. You can find the exact information for this year’s College Fair on the Festival Schedule.
Q: Where are the workshops and panels?
A: All Workshops and Panels will take place at the AMC Theaters in Times Square. For specific topics, times and locations, please visit our Workshop and Panel pages.
Q: Where is the Photo Walk?
A: The Highline! You can walk/explore the Highline and the suggested stops by entering from either the north or south (Begin at the 14th Street Passage - A covered passageway located between 14th and 15th St. Accessed via the staircase at 14th St. and 10th Ave. OR begin at the 30th St. Hudson Yards entrance, via the staircase/ramp at 30th St. and 10th Ave.
This route will ensure opportunities to see some of the Highline’s most memorable landmarks! Of course, if you want to keep walking and exploring, go for it! The Highline extends for several blocks in both directions.
Official Selection Questions:
Q: How do I find out if my film was chosen as an official selection?
A: 2022 Official Selections will be announced on July 22nd via our website and social media channels.
Q: What does it mean to be an "Official Selection" ?
A: All films that are "Official Selections" will be screened on either Saturday October 22nd or Sunday October 23rd at the AMC Empire 25 in Times Square. As an Official Selection your film is eligible to win an award. All winners will be announced at the Teen Indie Awards Show on Sunday night at The Kings Theatre in Brooklyn.
Q: If I am not an Official Selection should I/can I attend the festival?
A: Yes, we encourage all student filmmakers and/or fans of art to attend the festival. For those filmmakers that were not chosen as an Official Selection the festival provides a great opportunity to learn more about filmmaking and network with like-minded peers for future collaborations. There are many examples of students not earning an Official Selection nod one year to only submit the following year and win an award. We encourage all filmmakers to follow their passions and to continue their pursuit of the filmmaking dream.
Q: I saw a clip of my film in a highlight reel does this mean I am an Official Selection?
A: Video highlight reels represent all submissions not just Official Selections. We do our best to give all films exposure and try to include examples of all student work.
Q: Am I still eligible for prizes if I don't attend the festival?
A: Yes, you do not need to be present to win an award.
Q: Are all awards announced at the Teen Indie Awards Show?
A: Yes, the winners of every category will be announced live at the 2022 Teen Indie Awards. However, due to time constraints at the awards show some finalists may be announced throughout the festival weekend on social media.
Ticket Related Questions:
Q: Where can I purchase tickets for the 2022 AAHSFF?
A: Tickets can be purchased at www.hsfilmfest.com/tickets (Tickets will be available beginning in May 2022)
Q: Can anyone purchase a ticket to the festival?
A: Yes, any fan of the arts is more than welcome to purchase a ticket to the festival.
Q: Do filmmakers get free tickets/access to the film festival.
A: Unfortunately we are unable to offer tickets for free at this time. We continue to work with our partners and sponsors to make this happen. We assure you that the event experience is unparalleled and worth the price of admission.
Q: Will I receive my tickets before the event or will they be available at Will Call?
A: All tickets purchased before September 16th will be shipped to the purchaser in advance of the festival to the address you provided during the checkout process. Any ticket(s) purchased after September 16th will be available for pick up at "Will Call". There will be additional tickets available for purchase at the door of the event but All-Access Passes sell out fast!
Q: Where is Will Call?
A: A "Will Call" or box office will be set up at every festival venue. You can pick up all of your tickets at the first event you attend. Please kindly ask a volunteer in a bright yellow shirt where you can pick up your tickets and they will direct you to Will Call.
Q: Are there any coupon codes or discounts available for tickets?
A: At this time we do not offer discount codes. However, if you purchase your tickets early, you will be able to take advance of our discounted “Early Bird” rate for All Access Passes (Early Bird rates are only available until July 31st at 11:59pm). We also have a limited block of rooms at the Sheraton Times Square that are reserved for AAHSFF attendees and are available at a discounted rate that are by far the cheapest available in the area in October. We suggest reserving your rooms early as space is limited.
Q: I did not receive an email after I purchased my ticket on your website.
A: Please check your spam folder if you do not receive the confirmation email within 10 minutes. If you still did not receive a confirmation email please contact Tom@aahsff.com.
Transportation Related Questions:
Q: Does AAHSFF provide transportation to the festival for filmmakers?
A: Unfortunately, we are not able to provide transportation at this time. We continue to look for sponsors/partners who are willing to help with these costs. We have secured discounted hotel rates far below the normal rates in NYC.
We suggest planning your trip early and working on fundraising throughout the year. In previous years schools have made commercials for local businesses, applied for grants and scholarships from their local Rotary Club and other organizations, asked their school district to help fund the trip, started an crowdfunding campaign, as well as held car washes, bake sales and penny drives. Students, teachers and families travel each year to the festival from around the world. They all work hard throughout the year to make the trip a reality.
Q: How do I get to the Teen Indie Awards at the Kings Theater in Brooklyn, NY?
A: By Private Festival Bus: We are offering transportation to and from the Sheraton Hotel in Times Square to the Kings Theater by private bus for $29.99. This ticket can be purchased on our ticket page.
Subway: Coming from the Times Square area: Enter the main Subway Station on 42nd St. and 7th Ave. Find and follow signs to the platform for the Yellow Q train. Board the Q train towards Brooklyn/Coney Island. Once on the Q train you will know you are headed in the correct direction if the next stop is 34th St. Penn Station (don't get off here). Take the Q train to Beverly Road. Exit subway station and there will be volunteers to direct you to the Kings Theater. Estimated time: 43 minutes
Taxi/Uber: Hail a taxi or request an Uber. Address of Kings Theater: 1027 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226
Q: Do you have directions from the fest hotel to the various venues being used throughout the weekend?
A: Below are detailed instructions that will help guide you from the Sheraton Hotel in Times Square to our various venues that will hold events throughout the weekend. We strongly suggest using a GPS mapping app (Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, etc.) while on location in the city in order to find the best route to each venue.
From the Sheraton Hotel Times Square (West 53rd Street, 811 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019) to:
AMC (234 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036): Exit the hotel via the main entrance and turn left onto 7th avenue. Walk down 7th avenue for 9 blocks to 42nd street and turn right. Walk ¾ of the block and the AMC will be on your left. Estimated travel time: 14 minutes.
Kings Theater (1027 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226): Exit the hotel via the main entrance and turn right out onto 7th avenue. Walk up 7th avenue for 4 blocks to 47th St. Enter the Subway Station for the yellow Q train. Board the yellow Q train (Towards Brooklyn, Coney Island). Take the Q train 10 stops to the Beverley Road station. Exit the Subway Station and turn right. Walk 6 ½ blocks on Beverly Rd to Flatbush Ave and turn left. The Kings Theater will be ½ block down on the right. Estimated travel time: 44 minutes
2022 Festival Submission Questions:
Q: When can I submit to the 2022 Festival?
A: Detailed submission information including rules, guidelines, categories and deadlines can be found on our Rules & Categories page. Here are the deadlines for submitting to the 2022 Film Festival:
Submissions Open: Friday, October 15th, 2021
Free Submission Deadline: Friday, March 4th, 2022 (FREE)
Regular Submission Deadline: Monday, May 2nd, 2022 ($15.00)
Late Submission Deadline: Friday, June 3rd, 2022 ($40.00)
Final Deadline: Friday, July 1st, 2022 ($65.00)
Official Selections will be announced: Friday, July 22nd, 2022
Event Dates: Friday, October 21st, 2022 - Sunday, October 23rd, 2022
Official Selections will be announced: Thursday, July 22nd, 2021
Q: Can current seniors in High School submit even though they will have graduated by the time the festival takes place in October?
A: Yes! We welcome submissions from current seniors and usually see a lot of college freshman come to see their work in October.
Q: Can Middle School students submit to the AAHSFF?
A: Yes, Middle School students can submit any genre of film that is 5 minutes or less to our Middle School category. If your film is over 5 minutes in length you are welcome to submit it to one of of our categories, but please keep in mind you will be competing against high school students.
Q: Can I submit more than one film?
A: Yes! Filmmakers can submit multiple entries.
Q: Can films be submitted to more than one category?
A: No. Please select the category that best fits your film.
Q: Are group projects accepted?
A: Yes! Be sure to indicate all directors on the submission form.
Q: Does AAHSFF accept submissions from outside the United States?
A: Of course! Don’t let our name fool you. We encourage all young filmmakers to submit their films (as long as they were in high school upon project completion).
Q: Can I use copyrighted music, video and/or images in my film?
A: NO! You must use free music, video and/or images in your submission or acquire the proper rights to from the legal owner of the content. Please be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully when looking for permission to use music, video and/or images. We received many quality submissions that did not use licensed music, video and/or images, thus disqualifying them from being screened. Be careful! And remember, you can always create original music, we even have an Original Score Award! For more information on where to find music you can use please go to our Free Music Library.
Q: Are there any restrictions on content submitted to the festival?
A: We respect that every young filmmaker wants to share their own unique voice. However, we do not accept any submissions containing nudity or gratuitous violence or language.
Gratuitous - uncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted.
synonyms: unjustified, uncalled for, unwarranted, unprovoked, undue