Submit Your Film

Categories and Fees

Narrative Short Films

Fiction short films that fall under a narrative structure. Films must be less than 25 minutes (including credits). Please use the fee waiver from your university or email theyalestudentfilmfestival@gmail.com. Standard Fee: $20

Documentary Shorts

Short films that are non-fiction, but contain some form of narrative structure. Films must be less than 20 minutes (including credits). Please use the fee waiver from your university or email theyalestudentfilmfestival@gmail.com. Standard Fee: $20

Experimental Shorts

Films that do not adhere to any set category and can be fiction or non-fiction. Films must be less than 5 minutes (including credits). Please use the fee waiver from your university or email theyalestudentfilmfestival@gmail.com. Standard Fee: $20

Animation

Films of any genre created with any variety of animation techniques, including stop motion. Films must be less than 5 minutes (including credits). Please use the fee waiver from your university or email theyalestudentfilmfestival@gmail.com. Standard Fee: $20

Social Media/New Media

Films created for online viewing on platforms including tik tok, instagram, youtube, or more. Films must be less than 10 minutes (including credits). Please use the fee waiver from your university or email theyalestudentfilmfestival@gmail.com. Standard Fee: $20

CT High School Students

Films created by students 18 or under currently enrolled in a high school within the state of Connecticut. Films must be less than 10 minutes (including credits). Standard Fee: Free

 

Rules & Terms

ENTRY REGULATIONS (Please read before submitting!)

ALL entries must be from student currently enrolled in a university degree program, unless submitting to the CT high school category or social media category. Work submitted by MFA candidates in directing, producing, etc. or professionals will not be accepted. All directors must be under the age of 25. Films in the CT high school competition must have directors under the age of 19 that are currently enrolled in a Connecticut high school.

Fee waivers are available to any undergraduate or high school student. Check with your university for a fee waiver. If you did not receive one, email theyalestudentfilmfestival@gmail.com

All submitted films must have been completed AFTER January 2020. All films in a language other than English must be subtitled.

**STUDENT VERIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED AND APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTACH A COPY OF THEIR STUDENT ID OR PROOF OF ENROLLMENT TO YOUR FILM’S PAGE.** All other entries will be disqualified for entry into the festival.

Any student is eligible to submit a film, regardless of filmmaking experience or film classes taken.

Please see the various categories for more information on submitting to each of the sections. Each category has a different runtime. A film can only be submitted to one category. It is important that you determine your film’s category when you submit it, as that determines eligibility for awards (for any further questions about the categories, please email theyalestudentfilmfestival@gmail.com).

Yale Student Film Festival reserves the right to not screen films that it finds overly offensive, obscene, or vulgar.

Films that have previously screened in other festivals or on Yale’s campus are still eligible.

There is no limit to the number of entries.

COPYRIGHT

It is expected that filmmakers hold all of the respective rights required for their film before submitting. This includes all music, sound effects, product placement, actor/model release forms, etc. For music, there are a number of fair use soundtrack sites with music available online for free (we recommend reaching out to student musicians as well). Filmmakers without these rights will not be able to screen their films. YSFF will contact you if we believe there is a copyright problem with your submission. Any questions on copyright can be directed to theyalestudentfilmfest@gmail.com

FORMAT REGULATIONS

All foreign language entries must have English subtitles. Projects must be submitted through online screener (online screener is the preferred method; we recommend using Vimeo or YouTube and password-locking your film).

COMPETITION
All entrants receive feedback cards from judges, and will be eligible to compete for category prizes.

PRESS MATERIALS
We want to help you show off your film! If selected, please use the FilmFreeway press kit to submit productions stills, bios, trailers, etc. about your film.

PHOTO/VIDEO/PUBLICITY RELEASE
By submitting to Yale Student Film Festival, you agree that upon acceptance, YSFF may use your film as part of promotion materials for the festival, in addition to your likeness in photos and video during the days of the event.

FURTHER QUESTIONS
We encourage you to ask any more questions you might have by reaching out to us at theyalestudentfilmfestival@gmail.com

Deadlines

  • January 13, 2023
    Regular
  • February 15, 2023
    Waiver Codes Only
  • March 10, 2023
    Notification Date
  • April 21 – 23, 2023
    Event Date

Click to submit on FilmFreeway image

Yale Student Film Festival accepts entries via FilmFreeway.com.

FilmFreeway offers free HD online screeners, unlimited video storage, digital press kits, and more. Click to submit with FilmFreeway.​

Inquiries?

theyalestudentfilmfestival@gmail.com