We're thrilled to announce the First Annual Hylton High School Film Festival, presented by the Hylton TV Video Production Program! Open to all Prince William County middle school eighth graders, as well as high school students, this is a golden opportunity to showcase your filmmaking talents, make valuable industry connections, and celebrate local artistry.

Why This Event Is Special
Local Talent: This is a wonderful platform for local young filmmakers to showcase their talents, skills, and passion for storytelling through cinema.
Inclusivity: Open to middle school eighth graders and all high school students in Prince William County, this festival aims to foster a nurturing community of aspiring filmmakers from various backgrounds.
Expert Judging: Films will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, including professionals from the filmmaking industry and seasoned educators.
Networking: This is an excellent opportunity for participants to network with like-minded individuals, educators, and even professionals in the field.
Prizes and Recognition: Numerous prizes will be awarded, including "Best Film," "Best Director," and special category-specific awards to recognize a wide range of talents and abilities.
Why You Should Attend
Community Support: By attending, you're uplifting local young artists and contributing to the growth of the filmmaking community in Prince William County.
Entertainment: Expect a wide variety of film genres that will entertain, inform, and perhaps even challenge your perspectives.
Educational Value: Gain valuable insights into filmmaking processes and techniques during panel discussions and Q&A sessions.
Inspiration: Whether you're a film aficionado or new to the world of cinema, the creativity on display is sure to inspire.
Why Students Should Apply
All Levels Welcome: Whether you're a novice with a smartphone or have access to more advanced equipment, all levels of filmmaking are encouraged to apply.
Skill Development: Participating in the festival can help you refine your filmmaking skills, from storytelling and directing to cinematography and editing.
Resume Booster: Having your work showcased at a film festival is an impressive achievement that can be added to college applications and resumes.
Potential Mentorship: Stand a chance to catch the attention of seasoned professionals who can offer invaluable industry advice and mentorship.
Don't miss this remarkable event to support, celebrate, and participate in local filmmaking talent. Mark your calendars and ready your submissions; the First Annual Hylton High School Film Festival awaits you!

Awards & Prizes

Best Film-The production with the top three ranks shall be declared
the Best Film in its respective category (Best Narrative, Best Documentary, Best Animation,
Best Experimental,

Best Commercial/PSA). A trophy will be presented to each Best Film winner, and individual members of each winning film crew will receive medals.

Audience Choice- The production with the highest number of audience votes
at the Hylton Film Festival live screening shall be declared the winner of the Audience Choice

Award in its respective category (Best Narrative, Best Documentary, Best Animation, Best
Experimental, Best Commercial/PSA). A trophy will be presented to each Audience Choice
winner, and individual members of each winning film crew will receive medals.

Rules & Terms

Eligibility Criteria
The festival is exclusively open to middle school students in the eighth grade, as well as high school students who reside within Prince William County, VA.

Purpose and Objectives
The festival aims to serve as an educational platform for students to showcase their creative and technical skills in visual storytelling. Participants will learn important elements of filmmaking, including scriptwriting, cinematography, acting, directing, and post-production techniques like editing and sound design.

Costs Involved
All costs related to the production of the film, including equipment rentals, sets, costumes, and post-production, are the responsibility of the students or their schools. Any travel and lodging expenses for attending the festival must also be covered by the participants or their schools.

Rules and Regulations
Participants are required to comply with the general rules outlined in the school's handbook. All submitted films must be original works created by the students. If copyrighted material is used, students must secure proper permissions and licenses in advance.

Types of Entries & Deadline
The deadline for all entries is March 15.
Each eligible school may submit one entry per category. The categories include:
Narrative
Documentary
Animation
Experimental
Commercial/PSA
Technical and Content Guidelines
Films should be submitted according to the technical specifications detailed in the entry form.
Proper credit must be given to all individuals who contributed to the making of the film, including actors, directors, writers, and crew members.
The content of the film should be community-appropriate. Films that include hate speech, excessive violence, or explicit content will be disqualified.
Rights and Publicity
By participating, you grant the festival organizers the right to screen your film during the festival events and use your name, film stills, and details for promotional and educational purposes.

Film Categories and Length Requirements
Narrative Films: Must have a running time between 5 and 8 minutes, including credits.
Documentary Films: Should be between 5 and 8 minutes long, including credits.
Animation Films: Can range from 2 to 8 minutes in length, including credits.
Experimental Films: Should have a duration between 3 and 8 minutes, including credits.
Commercial/PSA: Must be 30 to 60 seconds long, including any credits.
This detailed summary should offer comprehensive information for interested eighth graders and high school students in Prince William County, VA looking to participate in the Hylton Senior High School Film Festival.