WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 16TH - FRIDAY OCTOBER 18TH

FINAL REGISTRATION DEADLINE:

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH!

What Is It?

The AAHSFF Film Invitational is the world’s premier, on-site student filmmaking competition - An authentic, real-world production experience for student filmmakers and video production programs - your chance to “crew up” and produce a short film in just 10 weeks. We believe that the best classroom is a film set, and our Film Invitational Competitions provide participants with an unparalleled chance to productively collaborate, improve their craft and test their skills while competing against student teams from around the world.

At the heart of all of our competition options is the pre-production process, enabling teams to fully embrace the most essential phase of production, and helping you create your best possible submission once on-set in New York City. Simply put: Competing in the Film Invitational is a team-building, tech-fueled, creative experience like no other!

2024 Competitions Include:

3-Day Complete Experience
2-Day Claustrophobic Creativity

Who Is Eligible?

Any student filmmaker who is currently in high school or who graduated the year prior is eligible to participate in our competitions (if you graduate in 2024 you are still eligible in October of 2024). Schools, clubs, and community organizations are welcome to form teams. There is no limit to how many teams an school/organization can register AND schools/organizations are welcome to compete in any/all of the competitions. ALL TEAMS MUST HAVE AN ADULT TEAM LEADER/MENTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR COMMUNICATION WITH AAHSFF AND CHAPERONING THE TEAM WHILE IN PRODUCTION. Entry fees are $250 for teams with 5 or less members, and $500 for teams with 6 or more members.

Schools - Form a team (or teams) representing your high school’s film program.
Clubs - Form a team (or teams) representing your high school’s film club.
Community Organizations - Form a team (or teams) representing your workshop, camp, after school or other community film organization.

How It Works:

Teams can register from Monday, April 12th thru Friday, September 27th.. Each competition starts Monday, August 12th when your team receives the official F.I. Welcome Packet. In this packet, you will find all of the details, rules, prompts, and release forms for the competition. Teams then have the next 10 weeks to write their script, plan their shoot, secure locations and actors. Teams will arrive in New York City on October 16th to begin filming and edit a final cut before the final submission deadline on Friday, October 18th, 2024 at 4:00PM EST.

All Films will be reviewed and judged by the AAHSFF Team and Industry Professionals. The nominees and winners of the competition will be announced live at the Teen Indie Awards on Sunday, October 20th.

*ALL submissions will be screened at the AMC Empire 25 Theaters in Times Square as part of the 2024 AAHSFF on Sunday, October 20th.

**Only submissions that meet all of the rules and guidelines and are submitted before the deadline will be judged and considered for awards.

In Depth Critique:

We are once again offering comprehensive submission critiques as an option for your Film Invitational participation. Each critique is prepared by AAHSFF Co-Founder and Executive Director, Tom Oliva, and offers in-depth analysis of the elements utilized in your production and how well they helped communicate your story concept to ultimately deliver an emotional impact. All critiques will be delivered by Mid-November. The cost for each official critique is $200.

This critique will focus on five aspects of your film production:

Initial Response
- Emotional connection and impact
- Genre and title
- Overall viewer engagement
Character and Conflict
- Character development (goals, values, motivations, consequences, etc.)
- Conflict origin, development, and relationship to characters
Story Structure and Development
- Exposition (imagery, setting, mood and atmosphere)
- Inciting incident and turning points
- Climax, falling action and resolution
- Linear vs. non-linear structure and overall balance of the five acts
- Ability to enhance the development of character and conflict
The Elements of Film
- Viewer reaction (re: sound, editing, characterization, camera movement, etc.)
- Lighting and color
- Camera placement and movement
- Camera angles, shot distance and viewer perspective
- Cuts, transitions, rhythm and purpose
- Imagery and symbolism
- Music and sound effects
Larger Implications, Commentary and Meaning
- Theme development and emphasis
- Cultural, societal and institutional implications

Finally, we will identify specific strengths and areas for improvement in an effort to help you continue to pursue your passion for visual storytelling at the highest level.

Testimonials:

“This year's festival was extraordinary. I feel deeply honored and fortunate to have been a part of it and for the ability to offer our students such an incredible and authentic experience. Our students bonded in a unique and special way that was facilitated by hard work, creativity and no small amount of wonder.” - J. Bullock, School Without Walls

“I can't thank you enough for the opportunity to bring my kids to New York. The kids have been exclaiming how much they have learned and they are all inspired to work hard and submit more projects for next year's festival. What you guys have put together has been an inspiration for thousands of students.” - M. Logan, Prosper HS

“Thank you again for providing my team with the trip of a lifetime. As we arrived at the airport back home last night many tears were shed because we became a family, and sadly our journey is over. But we are forever grateful to AAHSFF for giving us the opportunity to experience all that the AAHSFF and FI had to offer. It will never be forgotten.” - I. Wald, Nature Coast Technical HS

“Once again, with your help, my students had a moment that they will not ever forget.” - C. Rivera, West Broward HS, FL

"Thank you so much for an amazing, invaluable immersion experience. My students are still amped up reflecting on AAHSFF & F.I. Through laughter, tears, joy, frustration, celebration -- we learned so much, enjoyed the city, and felt like real filmmakers. This opportunity is unparalleled. We had so much fun together and returned to Austin with amazing memories and take-aways." - Emily McIntyre, Westlake High School

The Complete Experience

Complete Experience:

All submissions will premiere during an exclusive screening at the AMC Empire 25 Theater in Times Square on Sunday, October 20th and nominees and winners will be announced that same night during the Teen Indie Over the course of the 10-week pre-production period participating teams will be responsible for every aspect of creating a short narrative film: ideation, script writing, location scouting, casting, shoot schedules and more. This preparation is designed to put teams in the best possible position to successfully shoot and edit their film in New York City over the course of 3 days.

The Process:

Teams must register before Saturday, September 14th.
All teams are required to have an adult team leader/mentor.
Team Leaders will be responsible for communicating with AAHSFF staff.
Maximum number of team members: 10 (Does not include adult mentors, teachers, etc.)
Entry fees are $250 for teams with 5 or less members, and $500 for teams with 6 or more members.
We are once again offering comprehensive submission critiques as an option for your Film Invitational participation. Each critique is prepared by AAHSFF Co-Founder and Executive Director, Tom Oliva, and offers in-depth analysis of the elements utilized in your production and how well they helped communicate your story concept to ultimately deliver an emotional impact. All critiques will be delivered by Mid-November. The cost for each official critique is $200.
The competition begins on Monday, August 14th when teams receive the Official Welcome Packet and begin pre-production.
Teams have 10 weeks to produce their final submission.
All submissions are due by Friday, October 18th, 2024 at 4:00PM EST!
All teams will have the opportunity to utilize an editing station at the Official FI HQ located at the Sheraton Times Square Hotel.
Teams are responsible for providing their own film and editing equipment.
All competition submissions will screen at the AMC Theaters in Times Square on Sunday, October 20th
Films will be judged and nominees and winners will be announced live at the 2024 Teen Indie Awards on Sunday, October 20th, 2024.
Winning team receives: PRIZE TBA (Valued at $5,000)
All Films will be available on our YouTube page following the announcement of the winners.*

*Festival Passes Sold Separately*

*Special All-Access Pass Discounts Available for FI Participants*

*If your school/organization requires you to pay by PO or check, please email festival director, Tom Oliva, who will assist with the necessary registration process and invoice for payment.*

2023 Film Invitational Complete Experience Winning Film

What You Dont Know: A Driver's Story - Saint Mary's Hall - San Antonio, TX

Claustrophobic Creativity

Sometimes simple is simply... better. Following in the footsteps of classic one-room Hollywood movies such as 12 Angry Men, Rear Window, and Rope, teams in this competition are tasked with producing a 2 to 4 minute film that is completely shot in one room. Over the course of the 10-week pre-production period participating teams will be responsible for every aspect of creating a short narrative film: ideation, script writing, location scouting, casting, shoot schedules, and more. This preparation is designed to put teams in the best possible position to successfully shoot and edit their film in New York City over the course of 2 days.

Of course, we’ll make things interesting by adding a few surprise requirements that further challenge teams to be at their creative best!