66-Hour Film Festival Rules:
Overview: The 66-Hour Film Festival challenges filmmakers to create a short film within 66 hours, while incorporating elements of Southern California’s Inland Empire region and a specific genre assigned to your team.
On February 20, 2026 at 7pm your team will receive your genre, line of dialogue and your Route 66 landmark. You will need to submit your final film 66 hours later on February 23, 2026 at 1pm.
General Rules:
Team Registration:
Teams must register before the event begins here on FilmFreeway, consisting of directors, writers, actors, and crew members. Each team can have as many members as needed, but all work must be done within the 66-hour window.
Timeframe:
Filmmakers have exactly 66 hours to write, shoot, edit, and submit their short film.
The countdown starts when teams receive their required elements: genre and an Inland Empire-related theme.
Inland Empire Focus:
Each film must highlight an element of the historic Route 66. This could include recognizable landmarks, cultural aspects, or local history.
Required Elements:
Genre: Each team is randomly assigned a genre at the start of the contest.
Route 66 Element: Teams must incorporate a distinct element of the historic Route 66 in a meaningful way.
Film Length:
Films should be between 3-9 minutes long, including credits.
Originality:
All creative aspects, including the script, filming, and editing, must be done within the 66-hour window.
Pre-existing footage, scripts, or music are not allowed. All elements must be original or appropriately licensed.
Content Restrictions:
Films must adhere to at most R requirements see the MPAA website for further details: https://www.motionpictures.org/film-ratings/
Submission:
Completed films must be submitted before the 66-hour deadline in the required format (e.g., MP4 or MOV). Preferred submissions 1920x1080 resolution.
Late submissions may result in disqualification or penalties in scoring.
Copyright:
Teams are responsible for securing rights to any music, images, or footage used in their films. Only original or licensed material is permitted.
Judging Criteria:
Films will be judged on the following:
Creativity and Originality
Storytelling and Use of Genre
Technical Skill (including cinematography, editing, and sound)
Representation of the Inland Empire
The top film will win a $660 prize and be broadcast on the local PBS station, KVCR (as long as it meets FCC guidelines). Audience awards may also be presented based on popular votes during the screenings.
*How to Register:
After you log into your FilmFreeway account, you will need to create a project in order to submit.
Click on "My Projects" and then "Add A Project".
All you need to do is add a Title and then hit Save.
Then you can click "Submit Now"to sign up for the 66 Hour Film Challenge.
Finally you will upload your short film to the project when it’s finished by February 23rd at 1pm Pacific Time.
The Institute of Media Arts at San Bernardino Valley College reserves the right to use footage from projects in promotional materials.
