Hello Parents!

Welcome to the 2022 All American High School Film Festival (AAHSFF) the nation's largest high school film and media arts festival! AAHSFF is presented by Crave Student Arts, a 501c non-profit dedicated to providing resources and recognition to the next generation of creatives. This year The All American High School Film Festival will take place in the heart of New York City on October 21st to the 23rd, with Film Invitational events happening from October 19th to the 21st. Since its inception, AAHSFF has screened over 7000 student films and has given out over 2 million dollars in prizes and scholarships.

We know that you probably have a lot of questions for us! Most of the time, films submitted to the festival are submitted by the young filmmakers themselves or by teachers at their school, so this might be the first time you are hearing about us. We do our best to provide you with the resources to best answer your questions. To get started, here are some helpful links, if you can't find your answer there, jump back here to the FAQ pages and if you still have trouble finding an answer feel free to contact us at info@aahsff.com. All emails will be received between 11am to 5pm Monday through Friday, we do our best to respond in a timely manner.

We hope to see you in New York City!
Tom Oliva & Andrew Jenks
Festival Founders

General Event Questions:

Q: Are the events suitable for younger siblings?

A: Yes! Younger siblings have a blast at the festival. But please keep in mind that our screenings may contain content that is not suitable for children under 13.

Q: When will awards be announced?

A: All award finalists and winners will be announced live at the Teen Indie Awards Show on Sunday, October 23rd at the Kings Theatre. In the event that any finalists or winners will be announced prior to the awards show, we will provide information on our website, in E-blasts and on our social media.

Q: How will I know if my filmmaker wins an award if I we can not attend the Teen Indie Awards?

A: We will notify all winners who are not in attendance shortly after the awards show via email. All prizes will be shipped to the winners who do not attend.

Q: What if my filmmaker(s) wants to attend all of the events but some of our group does not?

A: Because most of our events take place at the AMC, it’s easy for groups to be in the same place but explore different activities. If you have multiple chaperones you may wish to divide and conquer our offerings or even take select members of your group to events that are not part of the festival. It’s completely up to you!

Q: Where is the festival?

A: The festival takes place at a variety of events in New York City. These include: the Sheraton Times Square Hotel, AMC Theaters in Times Square, Kings Theatre, and Pier 62 Chelsea Piers. For more information about each location and directions please visit our General Fest FAQ.

Q: My young filmmaker(s) want to bring cameras and equipment to document the festival. Is that allowed?

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!

Q: As a parent, what is there for me to do at the festival?

A: Simple answer, PLENTY! If you want to be busy we’ve got you covered. Remember, this is your chance to explore your child’s passion and celebrate their hard work and talent. You can check out the film screenings, learn from our panels and workshops, talk with colleges and universities eager to recruit your young filmmaker, play around with the latest gear at our tech showcase, meet the parents of other young filmmakers, and so much more! We strongly suggest investing in the complete experience-- it will be a wonderful way to connect with your child and explore all of the vast opportunities in the industry of their choice.

Q: Do parents and teachers attend the events?

A: Absolutely! AAHSFF has something for everyone! Many families attend the festival to celebrate their child’s achievement and to explore the career and technology resources we offer. It’s a great way to get a better understanding of your filmmaker’s passion and the opportunities that are available to them. And, you can connect with other parents to discuss the best next steps for your young filmmaker.

Q: Do parents and teachers need to purchase passes to attend?

A: Yes. Everyone who attends the festival must have a pass.

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. For examples of what to wear during the Teen Indie Awards please visit our Teen Indie Awards Event Page.

Q: Can parents and teachers attend the Teen Indie Awards?

A: Of course! This is likely the biggest moment of their high school experience and you won’t want to miss it. Even if they are not a finalist or winner, it’s still a celebration of their hard work and talent and it gives you the opportunity to get dressed up, walk the red carpet for photos and videos and offers a great place to meet other passionate filmmakers and their families.

Q: What is the Film Invitational?

A: The Film Invitational is actually 4 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, click here.

Q: How can I sign my filmmaker(s) up for the film invitational?

A: Registration for the Film Invitational is open until June 14th. Filmmakers can register independently or as a team through their film program at school.

Q: Do parents and teachers attend the film invitational?

A: Generally no. The competition is very busy for competing teams and there isn’t much time for interaction with parents. That said, some parents offer to chaperone a team and thus are involved throughout the production process. We suggest coordinating your participation with your student’s teacher to find a role that suits their needs.

Q: Can parents and teachers volunteer at the festival?

A: We do not allow parents and teachers of any filmmaker who has submitted a film to the festival to volunteer.

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 times for this year’s College Fair on the Festival Schedule.

Q: Can parents attend the college fair?

A: Of course! The college fair is for you as much as it is for your young filmmaker. We pride ourselves in providing a wide variety of schools and programs and the fair gives you the chance to explore all of your options so that you can find the best fit for your child.

Q: Can parents and teachers attend the workshops and panels?

A: Yes! As long as you have a pass you are welcome and encouraged to explore all of the activities we offer.

Q: Is my child safe by themselves at the festival?

A: We don’t recommend sending students to the festival without an adult chaperone. NYC is a busy place, and although it’s very safe, it can be overwhelming for young people experiencing it for the first time. We kindly ask that all student filmmakers under the age of 18 be accompanied by an adult. That said, once the students are inside our events, it’s okay for the adults to step out for a bit and let the students enjoy the experience independently.

Have more questions about this year's events? Please check out our General Fest FAQ. If you still can't find an answer feel free to reach out to info@aahsff.com. All emails will be received between 11am to 5pm Monday through Friday, we do our best to respond in a timely manner.

Official Selection Questions:

Q: What exactly does “Official Selection” mean?

A: When a film is chosen as an Official Selection that means that it has been accepted into the festival (out of the over the 2,000 films that have been submitted to AAHSFF in that given year) and will be screened during the festival at the busiest theater in America, the AMC Theater in Times Square! You can find all of this year's Official Selections here and this year's Screening Schedule here.

Q: My filmmaker’s film is an Official Selection, does that mean they won something?

A: Although being an Official Selection is a tremendous accomplishment and honor, it does not necessarily mean that it won an award. All Official Selections are eligible to be considered for an award, but nominees for awards and award winners are not disclosed until the presenters announce them at the Teen Indie Awards ceremony. All Official Selections will receive an Official 2022 Laurel that can be used on resumes and portfolios.

Q: My filmmaker’s film is an Official Selection. Do they get a free ticket to the 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.

Have more questions about Official Selections? Please check out our General Fest FAQ. If you still can't find an answer feel free to reach out to info@aahsff.com. All emails will be received between 11am to 5pm Monday through Friday, we do our best to respond in a timely manner.

Ticket Questions:

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: How do I purchase tickets for the 2022 All-American High School Film Festival?

A: You can find all of the ticket options and and purchase your tickets here: www.hsfilmfest.com/tickets

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.

Q: I am purchasing an All-Access Pass, am I required to attend all of the events?

A: Parents and teachers are encouraged to attend any and all events we have to offer. If you have purchased an All-Access Pass you gain access to any event during the weekend but you are not required to attend. You are free to choose what events you do and do not attend with or without your young filmmaker.

Have more questions about tickets? Please check out our General Fest FAQ. If you still can't find an answer feel free to reach out to info@aahsff.com. All emails will be received between 11am to 5pm Monday through Friday, we do our best to respond in a timely manner.

Trip Planning & Transportation Questions:

Q: I am a teacher who is planning on taking my class to the festival. How can we fundraise?

A: School district not providing your program with funding? Don’t give up. Many programs around the world find ways to fundraise and make the festival experience a reality. You can set up a GoFundme page, host car washes and penny drives or create videos for local businesses in exchange for their funding support. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

Q: Are meals included?

A: The Opening Night Dinner Cruise includes a full buffet dinner and unlimited soft drinks (adults can also purchase alcoholic beverages). We also provide a free lunch on Saturday to anyone who attends the College Fair and continue to work with brand partners to provide free snacks throughout the weekend at the AMC. Food is also available for purchase at the AMC, just like if you were attending a “regular” movie. Most of the festival takes place in the heart of Times Square so there are plenty of restaurants available whether you want to grab a quick bite to eat or have a formal sit-down dinner.

Q: Where should I eat?

A: Most of the festival takes place in the heart of Times Square so there are plenty of restaurants all around whether you want to grab a quick bite to eat or have a fancy sit-down dinner.

Q: When will we have time to eat?

A: With the exception of the individual screening pass, all passes allow you to enter and exit the events at your leisure. Planning ahead and knowing what events you would like to attend will help you plan the best times to eat. We suggest eating a small meal before the opening Night Party. On Saturday, we provide a free lunch to all college fair participants and there is a two-hour break between the daytime events and the Best of Fest event when you can have dinner. On Sunday, you can grab lunch between events and then have a quick dinner before the awards show (food/drink is also available for purchase at the awards show venue).

Q: How far is it from the Sheraton Times Square Hotel to the AMC Times Square theater?

A: It is about 11 and a half blocks. It is a very simple walk down 7th Ave and then a right onto 42nd St and your there! Just be aware that the walk can take a bit longer if you are navigating through the very busy and crowded streets in the Times Square area. It’s definitely easier to walk than take a taxi, but if you prefer to take a taxi you can arrange one with the hotel bellhop.

Q: I want to take advantage of the bus to and from the Teen Indie Awards. What do I need to do?

A: The exclusive coach bus transportation is a great option because it gives you one less thing to worry about. The coach buses pick up from the Sheraton Times Square and drives you right to the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn and back to the Sheraton.

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity you need to purchase a bus pass for each member of your group. You can do this on our website where you purchase all passes for the Fest (www.hsfilmfest.com/tickets). This additional service is NOT included in any other pass and MUST be purchased ahead of time. Bus passes will NOT be available for purchase at the Festival.

Q: How long does it take to get from the times Square area to the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn?

A: Whether you take the subway or an Uber or taxi, you can expect a travel time of about 45 minutes. NYC can be a pretty busy place, so we strongly encourage you to plan ahead and monitor traffic and subway delays. That said, the awards show opens with a 2-hour red carpet for photos and networking, so you should have plenty of time to arrive on time for the show.

Q: Are there any hotels that offer discounts for AAHSFF attendees?

A: We 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 cannot stress how important it is to book your hotel early. There is a limited number of rooms on hold and when they sell out we are not able to add more. Don’t miss out!

Q: Do I have to stay at the Sheraton in Times Square?

A: You are not required to stay in the Sheraton Hotel in Times Square. If you are traveling to the festival and plan on booking a hotel in New York City you are free to reserve a hotel anywhere you would like. We do have the best deals available through the Sheraton Hotel for festival attendees. We strongly encourage you to book with the Sheraton Hotel in Times Square because of its proximity to the AMC Theater where most of the weekend's events will be taking place. It’s proximity to many subway stops also makes it a central hub for traveling around NYC. Also, The 2021 Film Invitational home base is in the Sheraton Hotel in Times Square, so it’s the perfect place to stay if your young filmmaker(s) are participating in the 2021 Film Invitational.

Q: I purchased All-Access Pass for me and my filmmaker but some of our family members only want to attend the film screening. Is this possible?

A: Of course! We offer a variety of different options from individual screening passes to day passes. Head to www.hsfilmfest.com/tickets to see all of the different ticket options and see exactly what each option includes.

Q: I purchased tickets to the festival, what next?

A: You’ll want to make sure that you take advantage of everything that we have to offer! That means planning your weekend by choosing specific events to attend and making sure that you know where they are located around NYC. All events can be found here. And the full festival schedule can be found here. Remember: All official Selections will only screen once-- so make sure that you know the time and theater for each of your film screenings. Then, you can plan to attend other activities around your screening times.