To celebrate what makes the Sea to Sky region and its students unique, the 3rd Annual Sea to Sky STUDENT Short Film Festival is a student filmmaking competition produced by the Whistler Secondary graduating class of 2025, where you could win great prizes! The competition is open to anyone in grades 8 to 12 residing in Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton and Mt. Currie, and attending a SD48 public or independent school, with a phone, GoPro, or camera with a story to tell. Register with FilmFreeway and start filming!

All footage must be recent and creativity is your only limit. Student filmmakers are tasked to shoot, edit and produce a 3 to 5-minute short film – taking their creative vision from concept to reality. The top ten films will premiere on the big screen for an audience of over 300 at Whistler Secondary. Over $2,000 in prizes will be awarded to the top three films and the People’s Choice Award.

There are no restrictions on your creativity and there are no limitations on how the film is shot or how you interpret the theme, "In the shadow of giants". You can shoot live-action, animation, stop-motion, documentary, use actors, cutouts, puppets, or animals. The choice is yours!

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Screening Night @ Whistler Secondary, April 15th 2025 - More details TBD. Make sure to keep track of any updates!
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Awards & Prizes

The judges, who are all professional filmmakers, will select up to ten, three to five-minute films finalists to screen at the Whistler Secondary Short Film Festival event on April 15, 2025, at Whistler Secondary. Over $2,000 in prizes will be awarded to the TOP FILMS at the event. There will also be a People’s Choice Award, chosen by the audience.

More specifics are coming soon!

Rules & Terms

- Who is eligible to apply?
The competition is open to anyone in grades 8 to 12 residing in Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton and Mt. Currie, and attending an SD48 public or independent school with a phone, GoPro, or camera and a story to tell.

- MUSIC RIGHTS
This is a new rule that is being implemented this year regarding what kind of music can be used. A license for the rights to the music is always required if you want to use it in your short film. Click here to learn how to get permission to use a song in a short film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qZG-cgaOoM
We recommend that you use royalty free music which you can search for online.

- When can I start filming?
You can start filming when the competition opens and once you complete the entry form, but any footage from a year before the event date may be used.
Films must be submitted by April 4, 2025.

- Film Format:
Projects in all genres can be submitted for consideration.
All rights remain with the filmmaker and WSS has no proprietary interest in any of the projects.
Applicants must have the right to use all music, logos, and other copyrighted materials in your film. See the tips and rules here.

- Film Criteria:
Entrants have until April 4, 2025 to submit their short films.
The theme for this year's festival is "In the Shadow of Giants" - up to your interpretation.
Films are encouraged, but not limited to, three categories: Sport, Culture or Nature
Any filming equipment is allowed. Films can be shot on a phone, GoPro, or camera.

- How much does it cost to enter?
The entry fee is $20 per entry. If the entry fee is a barrier to you please contact the organizers and we will assist you.

- Fees:
Entry Fee: $20 per team
Event Tickets: $10 per person
The top 10 teams receive 2 comp tickets per team to attend the event on April 18th.
Teams are responsible for all associated costs to produce their films.
Entrants will be notified on or before April 10th if they have been selected to premiere their films.

- Who selects the finalists and what are the key criteria for project selection?
The judges, composed of professional filmmakers, will select up to 10 films, three to five minute films to be part of the Sea to Sky Student Short Film Festival on April 15, 2025 at Whistler Secondary.
Entries will be judged based on their application’s overall concept, creativity, and originality.

There are no restrictions on your creativity and there are no limitations on how the film is shot or how you interpret the theme. You can shoot live-action, animation, stop-motion, documentary, use actors, cutouts, puppets, or animals. The choice is yours!

- Key criteria for selection include:
Overall concept, including creativity, originality and cinematography
If there is a conflict, the committee member absents themselves from the discussion and decision-making.
All entries submitted must be suitable for children and youth ages 19 and under.

- How long can my film be?
3 minutes (180 seconds) minimum to 5 minutes (300 seconds) maximum
Any films that do not meet the time requirements will not be eligible for consideration.
- Can I use archival footage?
Footage must be recent (2024-2025). Archival footage may be used in context but cannot make up the whole film.
Filmmakers cannot submit previously produced work.

- Who retains the rights to the film?
The filmmaker will reserve ownership of the film.
WSS reserves the right to use the film for promotional purposes on its respective channels during and after the 2025 Festival at its discretion.