(Special Rules for the HIGH SCHOOL SHOWCASE are at the bottom of this section)
Films must have been completed after January 1, 2024.
Films completed prior to this date are not eligible, unless specifically invited by the festival for a retrospective or special screening.
Filmmakers must clear all rights for music, images, etc., and ensure there are no third-party claims.
Entrants must fully comply with these Entry Rules and Regulations in order to be considered eligible for acceptance to the 2026 SilverVox Film + Music Festival.
Films that have received any form of national theatrical, broadcast, or streaming distribution prior to June 1, 2026 are not eligible for competition, but may be considered for non-competitive showcases.
Films with ongoing or infinite-run online distribution or availability (iTunes, Netflix, Hulu, etc.) are not eligible for juried awards. Films with finite or limited availability (i.e. an online-only film festival) or via independent distribution (i.e. filmmaker’s own website) remain eligible for juried awards.
If entries have dialog/voiceovers, they must be in English or have English subtitles.
Films must be available for screening as part of the 2026 SilverVox Film + Music Festival.
Films that have been submitted to previous editions of the SilverVox Film + Music Festival should not be resubmitted.
LENGTH AND CATEGORIES
Feature films (narrative or documentary): minimum runtime of 40 minutes.
Short films: under 40 minutes.
SUBMISSION POLICIES AND SELECTION PROCESSES
If the screener submission is online via Vimeo or YouTube, SilverVox Film + Music Festival must be supplied with current password through the end of the festival.
Entries without payment will not be considered.
Submission of entry is considered legal permission to screen your film during the festival upon acceptance.
All submissions will be evaluated by at least two members of our screening team, while most will be seen by at least three members of our team. 2026 SilverVox Film + Music Festival reserves the right to stop watching after 30 minutes or 50% of the runtime if we determine that the film does not meet minimum quality levels.
SilverVox Film + Music Festival does not have any premiere status requirements for selection.
Proof of student status at the time the film was made must be provided if submitting under the "Student" price category.
All films can be considered for the "Road to SilverVox" film series. This series will present submitted films throughout the year (before and after the festival). Some films that were not selected for the festival may be considered for these presentations. This provides us the opportunity to highlight more films than the festival timeframe allows. ALL FESTIVAL FILMS WILL BE SELECTED prior to "Road to SilverVox" films are considered. If you do NOT want your film to be considered for this program, please note that in your submission form.
POLICIES UPON ACCEPTANCE
Accepted films will be notified via email at the submitter or contact address included in the submission form. Please ensure you can receive email from silvervox.org as it is our primary mode of communication.
Filmmakers (or primary contact) will be required to submit a consent form ensuring an absence of any legal or rights issues, and indemnifying the SilverVox Film + Music Festival of any liabilities that may arise out of screening with the festival.
Consent form contractually confirms the film for screening at the 2026 SilverVox Film + Music Festival.
Upon acceptance, filmmakers (or primary contact) will provide the following by the dates specified by festival organizers:
For press purposes, an online digital version of exhibition version of the film must be available through the end of the festival.
Press materials as itemized in the Filmmaker Info Form that you will receive.
Filmmakers are responsible for shipping costs associated with delivering all materials to the SilverVox Film + Music Festival.
The SilverVox Film + Music Festival reserves the right to rescind acceptance of any film for any reason.
By submitting, artists agree to all terms set forth in category rules.
By submitting, filmmakers recognize that they are eligible for any appropriate prizes.
Entering your film is considered giving the SilverVox Film + Music Festival permission to screen your film during the course of the festival. If, for some reason, after acceptance (but prior to the public announcement of the festival line-up) you choose not to screen with the 2026 SilverVox Film + Music Festival, you must contact the festival immediately. Attempts to cancel a screening AFTER the official announcement cannot be acknowledged and the film will screen from the available copy on hand.
SilverVox Film + Music Festival is granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes.
The submitter shall indemnify and hold harmless SilverVox Film + Music Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
Films must be either in English or have English subtitles.
The festival does not pay screening fees for submitted films.
HIGH SCHOOL FILMMAKER SHOWCASE Rules
Category is open to high school students in the US only (for this year, we are exploring opening it internationally next year).
Guidelines For Submission
Eligibility
Open to all currently enrolled high school students (Grades 9–12).
Public, private, and homeschool students are eligible.
Students must be enrolled at the time of production and submission.
Proof of enrollment may be required.
Team & Production Requirements
Films may be created by individuals or teams.
All key creative roles must be filled by currently enrolled high school students.
Adult mentors (teachers, advisors, parents) may provide guidance but may not serve in primary creative or technical production roles.
Film Categories & Length
Films must fall into one of the following runtime categories:
Short Film: 3–5 minutes
Extended Short Film: 10–15 minutes
Runtime does not include opening titles and end credits.
We are currently accepting student-created films of all types, including:
Narrative films
Broadcast and journalism pieces
Documentaries
Experimental films
Animation
High School Film Content & Conduct Guidelines
All submissions must:
Be appropriate for a general festival audience.
Avoid prohibited content, including:
Hate speech
Discriminatory or harassing material
Unsafe or dangerous stunts performed without proper supervision
Copyright violations
Illegal activity depicted without clear narrative purpose
= The festival reserves the right to disqualify films that violate these standards.
Originality & Copyright
All films must be original works created by the student(s).
Use of copyrighted material without proper licensing is prohibited.
Public domain and properly licensed materials are permitted.
Plagiarism or copyright infringement will result in immediate disqualification.
Submission Requirements
Each submission must include:
Completed entry form Parent/guardian consent form (for each participating student)
Media release form (for all on-screen participants)
Final film file in required digital format (format specifications to be listed separately)
Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.
Screening & Rights
Students retain full copyright of their films.
By submitting, entrants grant the festival non-exclusive rights to:
Screen the film during the festival
Promote the film in festival marketing materials
Post the film (or excerpts) on the festival’s official website and social media platforms after the event
The festival will not claim ownership of submitted films.
Judging Criteria
Films will be evaluated based on:
Storytelling and originality
Creativity and artistic vision
Technical quality (cinematography, editing, sound)
Performances (if applicable)
Overall impact
Judges’ decisions are final.
