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

• 3rd Competition To Be Announced Soon!

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 Complete Experience competition will be announced live at the Teen Indie Awards on Sunday, October 20th. Submissions from the other two categories will be judged immediately following the festival weekend and nominees and winners will be announced via social media and our website on Friday, November 22nd.

*ALL Complete Experience 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 $250.

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.