Virginia Emerging Filmmakers Festival
presented by The Film Studio at Shenandoah University
in association with Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

PLEASE NOTE: This is a student festival. Please read "Rules and Terms" for details.

Join us in the historic Shenandoah Valley for the Fourth Annual Virginia Emerging Filmmakers Festival. We will present short films from current high school and college students across the United States. Films must be 15 minutes in length or less and not previously submitted. We will accept films in the categories of animation, comedy/drama, horror, documentary or music video. Films will be considered by a team of judges from the Shenandoah University faculty and alumni base, the programming team at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, and guest judges. Selected films will screen for a live audience at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Winchester. Acceptance notifications will contain information on discounted hotel rooms at the Country Inn & Suites next to the theater.

Rules & Terms

Films must be created within the last two years by current high school or college students studying in the United States or Canada. The festival will also accept submissions from recent graduates, assuming the student graduated within one calendar year and the film was made while still the filmmaker was still a student.
PLEASE include a cover letter with your current enrollment status. Films must be 15 minutes or less in length, including credits. Filmmakers are responsible for clearance of copyrighted materials such as music, and may be asked to provide documentation of clearance. Films must be completed before submission, so no "work in progress" projects, please. Filmmakers grant the festival permission to use stills or clips in promotional purposes, but the festival does not claim ownership of submitted films. No exclusivity is granted to the festival. Winning submissions will be downloaded by the theater for DCP creation and on-screen projection.

10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sam Achtermann

    Super friendly and very supportive of young talent. One couldn’t ask for a better starter festival.

    October 2021
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  • Anna Owenson

    Really pleased to have been able to screen and get recognition at this festival. Although I was unable to attend, the communication was very clear and friendly.

    October 2021
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  • Victoria Slaski

    Wonderful festival experience. Beautiful theater with food + drink added greatly to the viewing experience. Great opportunity to network with other filmmakers. Looking forward to next year's iteration!

    October 2021
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  • Celia Cooley

    Steve is great! The Alamo is great! Hats off to them for featuring local talent!

    October 2020
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  • Grandin Theatre Film Lab

    None of our students were able to attend the festival, but we really appreciated how easy it was to reach the festival coordinator. They were very accessible and explained what they needed each step of the way. Would recommend submitting to this one if you are a young VA filmmaker.

    April 2019
    Helpful