FILMMAKER GUIDE

 CONTENT GUIDELINES

ELIGIBILITY:

The Director(s) must be between the ages of 14 and 18 at the time of the film’s production.

LENGTH:

Short film submissions should be no longer 20 minutes, including credits.
Micro-Film submissions should be no longer than 1 minute, including credits.

FORMAT:

All submissions must be uploaded via the EDU Sparqfest platform. Please follow the compression and format guidelines provided during submission to ensure your film is festival-ready.

CONTENT:

Films should be suitable for a general audience. If your film includes sensitive themes, such as violence, mental health struggles, or discrimination, let us know so we can include a viewer advisory if needed.

To ensure a safe, inclusive, and youth-friendly environment, the EDU Film Festival will not accept films that:

• Glorify or graphically depict acts of violence.

• Glorify or promote the selling, consuming, or distributing of drugs or alcohol.

• Glorify or emphasize theft or illegal activities.

• Depict explicit sexual acts, suggestive themes, or harassment.

• Contain threats, hate speech, or discriminatory content.

• Depict characters under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants.

• Contain profane or offensive language.

• Use unauthorized copyrighted material.

Respect privacy and copyright: Ensure you have permission to use any likenesses, stories, music, or materials in your film. For more information about obtaining rights to copyrighted material, visit copyrightkids.org.

FILMFREEWAY SUBMISSION GUIDE

EDU Film Festival uses FilmFreeway, an industry-standard platform, to make submitting your film simple and professional.

After creating your FilmFreeway account and setting up your project, you can submit your film to EDU Film Festival for free. Be sure to check the Rules section on FilmFreeway for the discount code.

Your project will also be ready for submission to other student and professional film festivals, though some may charge a submission fee.

Steps to Enter the EDU Film Festival

1. Create your FilmFreeway account

2. Set up your project page on FilmFreeway

3. Submit your project to the EDU Film Festival

Step 1: Create Your FilmFreeway Account

1. Go to FilmFreeway and click Sign Up to create your account.

2. Use a personal email address instead of a school email to avoid potential issues accessing the site or receiving festival communication.

3. Fill out your profile information and confirm your account to get started.

Step 2: Set Up Your Project Page

1. Once your account is ready, set up your project page by entering the following required information:

• Project Information:

  • Project type (Film/Video)

  • Project title

  • Brief synopsis (50–150 words)

• Submitter Information:

  • Personal email (school emails can block communication)

  • Phone number (cell preferred; we’ll only contact you if there’s an issue and will typically start with a text)

  • Birthdate

• Credits:

  • Director’s credit (partners/co-directors optional)

• Specifications:

  • Runtime

2. Hit the SAVE PROJECT button at the bottom of the page.

3. A pop-up will prompt you to add your project file. Choose one of the following options:

• Option 1: Upload a low-resolution version of your film directly to FilmFreeway.

• Option 2: Provide a link to your Vimeo or YouTube copy.

4. Add 3 Production Stills
Upload three production photos to the "Media" section of your FilmFreeway project page. These images may be featured in festival materials or on social media to spotlight your project.

Important Notes:

• If your Vimeo or YouTube link is password-protected, include the password in your submission.

• For microfilms in 9:16 (vertical format), use a Vimeo or YouTube link, as FilmFreeway’s upload system may not optimize vertical videos.

• If your film is selected as an official screener, you’ll need to provide a high-resolution version for the festival.

Step 3: Submit to EDU Film Festival

1. Visit the EDU Film Festival’s Submission Page on FilmFreeway.

2. Hit the SUBMIT NOW button to begin the submission process.

3. Complete the custom submission form in full. Ensure all required fields are filled out for your film to be eligible for entry.

Reminder: Don’t forget to review the Rules section on FilmFreeway and use the discount code for free submission!