A few weeks ago I received the new call for entries for the Tel-Aviv Student Film Festival, one of the most important festivals for film schools. I believe this is one of the least known festival circuits in our country, and one I have been working with since the beginning.
You must be careful not to confuse film school festivals with student festivals. In the former, short films must be produced by the schools within their educational activities, whereas in the latter case, short films made by students can be included, even if they were produced outside the schools, independently.
In many of the festivals dedicated to film schools, the submission must be made by the school itself—these are calls for entries that are not directed at students. Some of them limit submissions to a specific number of short films, or to a maximum duration per school.
In this post I have selected some festivals that are fundamental to the distribution strategy of film schools, some of which currently have open calls for entries.
#1 Tel-Aviv Student Film Festival
This is one of the most outstanding festivals in the entire circuit and is now celebrating its 30th anniversary. It is organized by the Department of Film and Television at Tel-Aviv University (TAU). This festival should not be missing from film school distribution. It usually invites the directors of the short films, encouraging networking and activities aimed at students.
To participate, you must submit up to 3 short films, with a maximum duration of 35 minutes each. As I mentioned before, they must be submitted by the schools themselves. The submission deadline is January 31. The festival takes place from June 17 to 24.
#2 Cinéfondation – Cannes Film Festival
As I already mentioned in the post about Class A festivals, Cannes is one of the festivals that most supports short films. This support also includes its excellent section for film schools.
The Cannes Film Festival takes this section very seriously, with very good prizes (€15,000 for first prize, €11,250 for second, and €7,500 for third) and above all with the commitment to premiere the winner’s first feature film at the festival itself. Without a doubt, this is the greatest prize a film student can receive in their entire career.
The maximum duration for short films is 60 minutes (it does not accept documentaries) and the submission deadline is February 17 (here there is no submission limit). In this case there is an international premiere requirement.
#3 Munich Student Film Festival
The Munich Festival is another classic of this circuit; its first edition was in 1981. At this festival, a young Lars Von Trier won prizes with his first works as a student.
To participate there is a duration limit, with 70 minutes per school, and a maximum of 35 minutes per short film. The submission deadline closed on July 11. It is scheduled to take place from November 19 to 25, 2017.
#4 VGIK Student Film Festival
This festival is organized by the legendary Russian State University of Cinematography VGIK. The festival was created in 1961; this year the first prize went to none other than a short film by Andrei Konchalovsky.
Like Munich, the submission limit is by duration. Up to 40 minutes maximum per school are accepted. The submission deadline was September 19 and the festival takes place from November 14 to 18.
#5 FICUNAM – Aciertos Competition
In this case it is a section within the Festival of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. FICUNAM is one of the most important festivals in Mexico. The Aciertos section is dedicated to film schools.
In this case only up to 3 short films per school can be submitted, with a maximum duration of 50 minutes each. It takes place soon, from February 22 to 28. The submission deadline was October 30.
#6 Film Schools Meeting San Sebastián
We finally arrive in Spain. In our country we have had several film school festivals, with very different levels of support, that ultimately did not continue. Except for this Meeting, which takes place within the San Sebastián Film Festival. The festival usually invites 6 students from the selected schools and organizes various educational activities.
As with other festivals, only up to 3 short films per school can be submitted, with a maximum duration of 30 minutes per work. The submission deadline closed on July 1.
Do Not Miss These Festivals
The film school festival circuit is very important for students. You must keep in mind that you only have one graduation short film once, and these festivals are very selective. Therefore, schools must take the distribution of their short films very seriously.
These festivals allow students of different nationalities to meet each other, complete their education, and share experiences with the teachers from the different invited schools.
Although I have selected some of the most important ones, this circuit is much broader. I hope this post helps you consider these festivals and work together with your school.