Bluegrass Film Festival – High School Submission Rules
Bluegrass Film Festival accepts high school film submissions only through FilmFreeway. All films must be submitted as usable digital files or downloadable links that can be viewed without special software.
Deadline:
April 3rd, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET)
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Who Can Submit:
Filmmakers must be currently enrolled in a high school within the Kentucky Commonwealth at the time of submission.
Films may be made by individuals or groups, but all primary filmmakers must meet the eligibility requirement.
Film Requirements:
Films must be five (5) minutes or less, including credits.
Films must be standalone works and may not be part of a series.
All films must be the original work of the filmmakers.
Filmmakers must have permission to use all music, footage, images, and other content in their films.
Required Submission Materials:
- The following items are required on FilmFreeway:
- A usable digital film file or downloadable link that plays correctly on standard computers and digital projection systems
- The file must not be locked, encrypted, or password-protected (unless the password is clearly provided)
- Files that are corrupted, incomplete, or unplayable will not be accepted
- A brief film synopsis
- Optional Materials (Not Required)
- A downloadable trailer (if available)
- A digital poster in a 2x3 aspect ratio (if available)
(Optional materials do not affect selection)
Technical Guidelines:
All films must be submitted through FilmFreeway as digital files or downloadable links.
Files must play correctly from start to finish and be compatible with standard computers and projection equipment.
Locked, encrypted, corrupted, or incomplete files will not be accepted.
If a file is password-protected, the password must be clearly provided on FilmFreeway.
Submissions with missing passwords or unusable files may be disqualified.
Selection & Screening:
All eligible films will be viewed and given equal consideration.
All decisions made by festival programmers and jurors are final.
Bluegrass Film Festival does not pay screening fees.
If Your Film Is Selected:
Official Selection filmmakers must upload their film to the Bluegrass Film Festival Dropbox.
Upload instructions will be provided after selection.
Providing a backup copy on a thumb drive is strongly recommended.
Tracking & Identification:
All submitted materials must clearly include the FilmFreeway tracking number and any additional information listed in the General Rules.
Rights & Permissions:
Filmmakers keep full ownership of their films.
By accepting Official Selection status, filmmakers grant Bluegrass Film Festival and its partners permission to use short clips, images, and related materials only for festival promotion.
Liability:
Bluegrass Film Festival and its partners are not responsible for lost or damaged submission materials.
Do not submit original or master copies of your film.
Agreement:
By submitting a film, you confirm that:
You own or have permission to use all content in your film
You have read and agree to these rules
Submitting a film means you accept all stated conditions.
Changes:
Dates and guidelines are subject to change without prior notice.
