🎬 The Moon Hall School Film Festival is a nationwide event celebrating the creative voices of students across the UK. Hosted by Moon Hall School, a specialist school dedicated to supporting students with dyslexia, the festival aims to empower young filmmakers and provide an inclusive platform for sharing their stories.

Open to students aged 8 to 18, the festival welcomes a wide range of genres—from short films and animations to documentaries and dramas. By showcasing these films in schools, we aim to spark creativity, encourage collaboration, and nurture a deeper love for storytelling through film.

A panel of industry professionals and educators will judge the submissions, offering valuable feedback and awarding prizes for outstanding entries. It’s a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain confidence, develop filmmaking skills, and connect with other creative minds across the country

Awards & Prizes

🏆 Main Award Categories
• Best Film
• Best Senior Film (14–16)
• Best Senior Film 16–18
• Best Junior Film (8–13)
• Best Editing
• Best Cinematography
• Best Acting
• Best Story
• Audience Favourite

Rules & Terms

Eligibility: The film festival is open to all students aged 8 to 16 years old at Moon Hall School including any other school in the United Kingdom.
Film Duration: Films or animations must be no longer than (5 Minutes) in duration.
Theme: Films Any film ideas, please all at the themes on
Content: Films must be appropriate for all ages and must not contain any violence or adult themes.
Originality: Films must be the original work of the student or group of students submitting the film.
Credits: All films must include credits at the end, which must include the names of all participants and their roles in the making of the film.
Format: Films must be submitted in a digital format, such as mp4 or mov. A Films to be recorded and edited in HD or 4K formats and in 16:9 aspect ratio (wide screen).
All submitted films, should be sent via OneDrive or WeTransfer must allow downloading by us in HD or 4K formats an in 16:9 aspect ratio.

🎥 Film Requirements & Rules

Film Length: Maximum 5 minutes, including titles and credits.

Eligibility: Open to Moon Hall School students and invited partner schools.

Classification:

All films must be submitted for festival classification before screening.

Only U or PG rated films will be accepted.

Original Work: All content (music, footage, images, etc.) must be original or used with permission/licence.

Format: Submit via FilmFreeway in MP4 or MOV format.

Credits: Include a title card and full list of contributors at the end of your film.

Submission Window:

Opens: 8th December 2025

Closes: 31st May 2026 (11:59 PM)

Classification Requirement: Films must receive classification approval to be screened

Student can make any film, although here are some ideas.

🎬 Moon Hall Film Festival Themes 2026

very great story takes us somewhere — physically, emotionally, or imaginatively.
Here are some ways you could explore the theme:

A physical journey – an adventure, quest, or trip that changes the characters.

An emotional journey – facing fears, discovering courage, or finding friendship.

A fantasy or dream journey – through time, alternate realities, or the imagination.

A symbolic journey – representing growth, identity, or change.

A comedic or mysterious journey – something unexpected, funny, or thrilling.

Be creative, interpret the theme in your own way, and tell a story that connects with the audience.