"A film festival for student filmmakers, by student filmmakers.”

The Cherry Reel Film Festival has two goals:

To give talented creators a platform to proudly show their work.
To enhance the creative competitiveness and collaborative possibilities between student filmmakers in the Albuquerque, NM area.
The 2023 Cherry Reel Student Film Festival had over 150 student films submitted. Top films were screened at UNM in the SUB theater. Submission genres ranged from HORROR, SCI-FI, COMEDY, EXPERIMENTAL, DOCUMENTARY, ANIMATED SHORT, MUSIC VIDEO and many more! This year YOU can be part of Cherry Reel.

Last year (2023) we had participation from the NM Film Office, IATSE, & SAG. We brought industry professionals to network with UNM Students. This event included writers, actors, directors, producers and many more. We are aiming to bring these folks back to connect with you, view your work, and provide career advice.

Regardless if you're a first-time filmmaker looking to submit or a returning filmmaker looking to see how you stack up, Cherry Reel is a film festival for the students, by the students.

Submissions for the 2024 Cherry Reel Film Festival will open February 2nd 2024, and the Festival will take place April 19th 2024 in Popejoy Hall.

Awards & Prizes

- Best in Festival (Sony A7 Mirrorless Camera with 28 -70mm lens and accessories kit)
- Golden Cherry in Documentary Filmmaking (MixPre 3)
- Golden Cherry in Experimental Filmmaking ($300)
- Golden Cherry in Animation
- Golden Cherry in Music Videos
- Golden Cherry in Screenwriting

Award Plaques will be issued for these as well!

We will also award (Official Certificates):

- Golden Cherry in Directing
- Golden Cherry in Cinematography
- Audiences Choice

Rules & Terms

Rules for Submission
● Submission deadline is March 15th by 11:59pm. No entry fee required.
● Films created from any year are accepted.
● Films submitted to other festivals will be accepted, as well as online exhibition.
● Submitting student(s) MUST be the writer, director, cinematographer, producer, or editor of the film. No other submitting positions will be accepted.
● Submitting students must be current students at the University of New Mexico.
● Total runtime may not exceed 20 minutes, including end credits.
● Films submitted online must be submitted in an appropriate media format (h.264 mp4s preferred, although final selections must provide a ProRes file.)
● All copyrighted material must have been cleared for exhibition.
● Films that have been created/submitted for school courses are accepted.

The link to submit will be posted February 2nd.