FilmRoads

FilmRoads International Student Festival at Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences brings high school students from around the world together to celebrate the language of film through an annual in-person and live-streamed festival and panels.

Our goal is to give young filmmakers a formal place for their films to be viewed and explored. FilmRoads International Student Festival gives the opportunity for students to learn from one another and have critical discussions on cinema culture and the language of film.

FilmRoads

Everything You Need to Know

How It Works

FilmRoads International Student Festival is an annual in-person and livestreamed event that takes place at Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in Santa Monica, California. Selections will be made available on the FilmRoads website. From there, selected filmmakers will have the opportunity to participate in panels and Q&As with fellow filmmakers and industry professionals. The live event takes place at Crossroads on Jan. 21, 2025. Filmmakers unable to attend will be invited to the live Q&A via Zoom.

Awards & Prizes

Best of Fest Award
One film is selected by jury as the best of the Festival.
Special Jury Prize
Audience Choice Award

Rules & Terms

Filmmakers must be current students between the ages of 14-18 years old.
Films made by a class must have a current student submitter between the ages of 14-18 years old. Films with co-directors over the age of 18 years old will not be considered.
Films outside of the United States are allowed and encouraged to submit.
English subtitles are required for all foreign-language films.
Shorts must be no more than 10 minutes long, and can be narrative, animation, documentary or experimental films.
By submitting a film to FilmRoads International Student Film Festival, filmmakers affirm that they have cleared all rights to materials within their films including but not limited to music rights, actor releases, etc.

Dates & Deadlines

October 30, 2025
Opening Date

November 21, 2025
Earlybird Deadline

December 12, 2025
Regular Deadline

January 9, 2026
Notification Date

January 21, 2026
Event Date