Media Requirements

Content in this category includes:

• Original fictional and non-fiction stories that have a more serious tone that portray real-life scenarios or challenging circumstances.
• If your piece is less than two minutes, enter it in the Super Shorts category.

Media requirements:

• Total Length: 3-8 minutes
• Media File Format: MOV or MP4; 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) or greater
• Media Layout: Horizontal/widescreen (16:9)
• Title: 50 characters max (on screen and in submission form)
• Opening Titles/Intro: 15 seconds or less
• Credit Length: 30 seconds or less (no post-roll scenes!)

Content in this category includes:

• Original fictional stories that have a more lighthearted tone that portray real-life scenarios or humorous circumstances.
• If your piece is less than two minutes, enter it in the Super Shorts category.

Media requirements:

• Total Length: 3-8 minutes
• Media File Format: MOV or MP4; 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) or greater
• Media Layout: Horizontal/widescreen (16:9)
• Title: 50 characters max (on screen and in submission form)
• Opening Titles/Intro: 15 seconds or less
• Credit Length: 30 seconds or less (no post-roll scenes!)

Content in this category includes:

• Original fictional stories with a suspenseful tone that portray frightening images, themes, and situations.
• You cannot depict death or gore in any way. It must still be PG-13!
• If your piece is less than two minutes, enter it in the Super Shorts category.

Media requirements:

• Total Length: 3-8 minutes
• Media File Format: MOV or MP4; 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) or greater
• Media Layout: Horizontal/widescreen (16:9)
• Title: 50 characters max (on screen and in submission form)
• Opening Titles/Intro: 15 seconds or less
• Credit Length: 30 seconds or less (no post-roll scenes!)

Content in this category includes:

• Music videos or slideshows featuring original music.
• Videos of you and/or your friends dancing or lip syncing to recorded music.
• You can only use copyrighted music on platforms that allow it.*

Media requirements:

• Total Video Length: 2-5 minutes 
• Media Format: MOV or MP4; 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) or greater
• Media Layout: Horizontal layout (16:9) strongly preferred but vertical layout (9:16) ok if necessary for artistic reasons.
• Title: 50 characters max (in submission form)
• Opening Titles/Intro: 15 seconds or less
• Credit Length: 30 seconds or less (no post-roll scenes!)

Special notes:

• TikToks are acceptable in this category as long as they are at least 2 minutes long. Shorter TikToks should be entered in the Super Shorts category.
• * See notes on copyright before using published music.

Content in this category includes:

• Original fictional and non-fictional stories where a sport plays a significant role on the plot or main characters.
• You can submit highlight reels, season recaps, and stories about individual and team achievements, but it should still have a clear purpose and/or story being told. Random clips or images set to music are unlikely to be accepted into the festival.
• If your piece is less than two minutes, enter it in the Super Shorts category.

Media requirements:

• Total Length: 3-8 minutes
• Media File Format: MOV or MP4; 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) or greater
• Media Layout: Horizontal layout (16:9) strongly preferred but vertical layout (9:16) ok if necessary for artistic reasons.
• Title: 50 characters max (on screen and in submission form)
• Opening Titles/Intro: 15 seconds or less
• Credit Length: 30 seconds or less (no post-roll scenes!)

Content in this category includes:

• Original animated short stories that are fictional or true in any genre: drama, comedy, horror, musical, fantasy, sci-fi, sports, biographical, or cross-genres.
• The piece can be fully animated or live action with animated effects.
• If your piece is less than two minutes, enter it in the Super Shorts category.

Media requirements:

• Total Length: 2-5 minutes
• Media File Format: MOV or MP4; 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) or greater
• Media Layout: Horizontal/widescreen (16:9)
• Title: 50 characters max (on screen and in submission form)
• Opening Titles/Intro: 15 seconds or less
• Credit Length: 30 seconds or less (no post-roll scenes!)

Content in this category includes:

• Any video that is 30-90 seconds long, including music and dancing clips, original stories and skits, sports highlights, and more!

Media requirements:

• Total Video Length: 30-90 seconds
• Media Format: Varies; videos should be MOV or MP4; 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) or greater
• Media Layout: Horizontal (16:9) and vertical layouts (9:16) are ok, especially for TikToks.
• Title: 50 characters max (in submission form)

Content in this category includes:

• Original experimental films that pushes the boundaries of storytelling or multimedia in any genre: drama, comedy, horror, musical, fantasy, sci-fi, sports, biographical, or across-genres.
• If your piece is less than two minutes, enter it in the Super Shorts category.

Media requirements:

• Total Length: 3-8 minutes
• Media File Format: MOV or MP4; 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) or greater
• Media Layout: Horizontal layout (16:9) strongly preferred but vertical layout (9:16) ok if necessary for artistic reasons.
• Title: 50 characters max (on screen and in submission form)
• Opening Titles/Intro: 15 seconds or less
• Credit Length: 30 seconds or less (no post-roll scenes!)

Content in this category includes:

• Original short films created by middle school students in the SF East Bay in any genre: drama, comedy, horror, musical, fantasy, sci-fi, sports, biographical, or across-genres.
• Middle school students cannot submit to any other category.

Media requirements:

• Total Length: 3-8 minutes
• Media File Format: MOV or MP4; 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) or greater
• Media Layout: Horizontal layout (16:9) strongly preferred but vertical layout (9:16) ok if necessary for artistic reasons.
• Title: 50 characters max (on screen and in submission form)
• Opening Titles/Intro: 15 seconds or less
• Credit Length: 30 seconds or less (no post-roll scenes!)