Rules & Terms*
We invite all students to explore their creativity by submitting a documentary, narrative, or animation under 15 minutes that highlights the power of design (architecture, graphic, industrial, product, etc.).
You can submit:
✦ Documentaries that spotlight individuals, groups, initiatives, or design processes—past or present
✦ Narrative shorts based on original scripts that emphasize visual storytelling and design elements.
✦ Animations using 2D, 3D, or stop-motion techniques
You might uncover a design issue in your neighborhood, highlight Indigenous design and planning, delve into the remarkable Gurunsi tribe houses of Burkina Faso, create an engaging animation about typefaces, or craft a narrative about a fashion designer. Narrative films should have a strong visual/design emphasis and bring architecture, art, or design to life through storytelling, color palette, and cinematography.
Please note that this is not a marketing opportunity; please avoid submissions that function as advertisements for schools, businesses, or firms.
Your Voice. On screen. We can't wait to see you at the festival!
Terms and Conditions:
1. The following are the terms and conditions for submitting work (a "film") to the Design Student Film Festival (“DSFF”) for its April 9-11, 2026 festival in Boston, MA. Questions regarding these terms and conditions should be emailed to info@studentfilmfestival.design.
2. By submitting a film to DSFF for consideration, the submitter (the “applicant”) represents that they have read, understood and agreed to the DSFF terms and conditions, and have obtained all necessary permissions, clearances, and consent from all owners, participants, directors, writers, and producers of all components of the film. The applicant confirms that the film does not contain any copyrighted or protected works unless used with permission or is in the public domain.
3. The applicant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless DSFF and all its associates and affiliates from any claim, suit, action, or other proceeding brought against a film or applicant in association with submitting to the festival.
4. All submissions must be via FilmFreeway.
5. Submission fees are in American Dollars and are non-refundable.
6. DSFF reserves the right to disqualify any submission that it deems in violation of its terms and conditions, or in conflict with the festivals mission or code of conduct.
7. A film will not be eligible for consideration if the film was completed prior to January 1, 2024. Films do not have to have premiere status at the festival...but it helps.
8. Submitted films must have a total runtime of no more than 15 minutes and 0 seconds, including all credits. Longer films will automatically be disqualified from consideration.
9. To provide accessibility to as many visitors of the festival, submitted films that provide captions in English will be prioritized to accommodate those who are deaf and hard of hearing. Subtitles must be superimposed.
10. Students must submit via their school email address to verify their student status. If selected for the festival, the student(s) and their school will be notified of acceptance.
11. DSFF will notify all applicants (and their respective schools) whose films have been selected to participate in the festival no later than February 23, 2026. DSFF will contact applicants via the information provided on their submission.
12. By submitting a film to DSFF, the applicant grants DSFF a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to screen the film during the festival dates and to use excerpts (no more than 30 seconds) and still images from the film for promotional and archival purposes, including but not limited to websites, social media, press, and trailers.
13. By submitting, the applicant grants DSFF permission to use the names, school affiliations, biographies, and likenesses of filmmakers and participants in any promotional or marketing materials, press releases, and festival-related content.
14. DSFF was created to celebrate student creativity and design. As such we believe everyone should be treated with respect and dignity. DSFF will not tolerate any form of violence, mistreatment, or harassment towards anyone associated with or taking part in the festival. In other words, treat others how you would want to be treated. If you can't or choose not to treat others with dignity, respect, and care (including during the submission process, and prior, during, or after the event), please do not submit or attend. Those DSFF feels are in violation with our terms of conduct will have their submission withdrawn or required to leave the festival.
15. Personal data collected during submission will be used solely for festival operations, including communication with applicants, selection processes, and notifications to schools. DSFF will not sell or share personal information with third parties outside of those directly involved in festival operations.
16. DSFF reserves the right to act, in its discretion, on cases and situations not foreseen by these terms and conditions.
17. DSFF reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or modify the format of the festival due to unforeseen circumstances or events beyond its control (“force majeure”). In such cases, DSFF is not obligated to refund submission fees, but will work to provide alternative screening opportunities including online screenings.
*Language for our Rules & Terms draws from prominent film festivals like TIFF, Sundance, and other film festivals focusing on design.
