HUMANITY RISING FALL 2026 VIRTUAL FILM FESTIVAL
Hosted in the Humanity Rising 3D Metaverse Theater
October 25, 2026 - 6pm-8pm CST - Online

Submission Deadline: September 15, 2026
Notification Deadline: October 15, 2026

Theme: Virtues in Action — Stories that Illuminate the Best of Humanity
With a special signature focus on bullying prevention and youth mental well-being.

This festival celebrates virtues in action—the qualities that create a more compassionate, kind, and united world, brought to life through causes that matter to you. We invite films that bring compassion to life through virtues such as courage, empathy, kindness, resilience, integrity, gratitude, hope, forgiveness, and unity.

Humanity Rising is a student-led movement creating a more compassionate world through service. This festival celebrates the incredible ways young people are already making a difference—with a special focus on our signature mission of empowering students to become upstanders to end bullying, strengthen youth mental well-being, and become compassionate leaders.

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!
Submit Your Short Film (3 to 10 minutes) to the Humanity Rising Fall 2026 Virtual Film Festival. One story can change the world—share yours and inspire others to rise.

Our Fall 2026 Virtual Film Festival will be hosted online in our immersive 3D Metaverse Theater on October 25, 2026 (National Bullying Prevention Month). Whether your film addresses bullying prevention, youth mental well-being, homelessness, hunger, the environment, or another cause close to your heart, we want to see stories that illuminate the best of humanity.

Films may explore:
• Virtues & moral courage
• Bullying & cyberbullying
• Youth mental health & resilience
• Inclusion & belonging
• Social challenges like homelessness, hunger, or kindness initiatives
• Community impact
• Acts of service
• Stories of hope, healing, and unity

Because the festival welcomes films addressing youth mental well-being, any films focused on suicide prevention must follow safe messaging guidelines. Films should not depict or describe suicide methods, avoid graphic or sensationalized content, and instead emphasize hope, help-seeking, connection, resilience, and recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988.

Awards & Prizes

Awards & Prizes:

🏆 Humanity Rising Grand Prize — $2,500 Scholarship (or donation to a school club)
Humanity Rising's highest honor recognizing the film that most powerfully advances bullying prevention, youth mental well-being, resilience, compassion, and the courage to become an upstander.

🌟 Virtues in Action Award — $1,500 Scholarship (or donation to a school club)
Awarded to an outstanding film that exemplifies this year's theme through inspiring storytelling on any cause reflecting compassion in action, including service, inclusion, environmental stewardship, homelessness, hunger, kindness, or other positive social impact.

⭐ Audience Choice Award — $1,000 Scholarship (or donation to a school club)
Chosen through live audience voting during the festival.

Rules & Terms

YOU MUST BE A CURRENT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT TO SUBMIT A FILM.

• Films should be 3–10 minutes in length
• Content must be age-appropriate, uplifting, and aligned with Humanity Rising’s mission
• Submitting a film is free of charge
• All films must be non-political and mission-aligned.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE - YOU MUST PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WHEN SUBMITTING YOUR FILM. ENTRIES WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION, WILL UNFORTUNATELY HAVE TO BE DISQUALIFIED. IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE REACH OUT PRIOR TO SUBMITTING YOUR FILM AT: HRFF@HUMANITYRISING.ORG

INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

PLEASE PROVIDE A LINK TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FILM SO IT CAN BE ACCESSED FOR FUTURE SCREENING EVENTS - Thank you in advance for your help!

Full Name:
Email Address:
City and State:
Name of High School/Home School and Year of Graduation:
Copy of ID/Transcript or other Document verifying your age/enrollment status

• You must be enrolled in 9th-12th grades to be considered.

• You must provide proof of enrollment that you attend your high school or homeschool with your submission

• All films must have a “PG-13” or lower rating. Think to yourself, is this something I would present at my high school for parents, teachers, and students?

• No political content

• Non-English films must have English subtitles

• Brief synopsis of your film (three or more sentences that summarizes the topic, meaning and/or story)

• Director's Statement that states your reason for selecting the topic, any background information preferred, how this film shows a solution to the challenges presented in the film

By submitting a film, you are granting Humanity Rising permission to screen your film in the Metaverse Theater on October 25, 2026. Top films will also be screened at the Spring 2027 In-Person Festival at Wayfarer Theater in Highland Park, IL. (May 2027 Date TBD). Films may be utilized in future virtual screenings, including classroom and community presentations that promote youth voices and positive social change.

Students participating in Humanity Rising's Call It Out Challenge will also have opportunities throughout the year to be featured as REEL Changemakers by sharing short videos that highlight real stories of courage, compassion, and positive change inspired by the Challenge.

4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Akshita Vashisht

    Participating in this film festival has been an incredibly meaningful experience from submission through the final stages of recognition. The festival team maintained excellent communication throughout the process, making the experience both smooth and professional. I am very thankful for the opportunity to share my story on this platform and continue raising awareness about water scarcity and the ways it affects women’s health and children’s education. Receiving an Honorable Mention for my short documentary Paani is truly encouraging and deeply appreciated. This recognition motivates me to continue using storytelling to advocate for communities facing these challenges. Best, Akshita Vashisht

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Your heartfelt review means so much to the HRFF Team. We are happy to be a source of encouragement for you to continue your journey as a filmmaker. Utilizing your creative gifts as a catalyst for change will make a significant impact in our world. We hope you continue to stay involved with Humanity Rising and look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.

  • HARMONY HARGIS

    I was very honored to be able to submit some of my hard work to an actual film festival for the first time. Thank you to the Humanity Film festival for making my submission an honorable mention!

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for participating and making a meaningful contribution to our world with your creativity. We hope you continue to stay involved with Humanity Rising and can attend our monthly film events as well as submit films to our upcoming festivals. They will be posted on Innerview, Instagram, Facebook and hopefully our website. Thank again for the positive review as it means a lot to the HRFF Team!

  • Kady Serlin

    Humanity Rising Film Festival l was an incredible experience. I was blown away by the talent and creativity of the other filmmakers, and it was surreal to see The Man in the Green and Gold Suit on the big screen. I was honored to receive the Sponsor's Choice Award and so grateful to be part of such a fun, supportive festival. I highly recommend Humanity Rising to any student filmmaker looking for a welcoming space to share their work.

    May 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    We greatly appreciate your enthusiastic review! Your creativity, compassion and dedication to making a positive difference in the world of cinema was evident with your film. Thank you for joining us at the event, and bringing everyone involved with your meaningful project to the festival. We look forward to watching your journey as a filmmaker unfold. Congratulations on graduating - Class of 2025!

  • quinton lowry

    I had a very good experience with this festival. Very professional and forward and the communication was excellent.

    May 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for the review and for participating in our inaugural film fest. Your creativity and meaningful contribution on a such an important topic was greatly valued. We hope you will submit to our future film festivals as well and continue your journey as a filmmaker.