IF YOU NEED TO PURCHASE TICKETS WITH A PO OR PAY BY CHECK PLEASE CONTACT FESTIVAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TOM OLIVA FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TOM@AAHSFF.COM
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Q: Do filmmakers need to purchase tickets?
A: All attendees (including accepted filmmakers) need to purchase tickets and arrange travel and accommodations for festival events. We understand that attending the festival can be a difficult financial decision, and we work very hard to keep the ticket pricing affordable for all attendees. We also discounted hotel room rates far lower than typical rates for this time of year in NYC. We would love to extend free screening tickets to filmmakers, but as you can imagine, hosting a film festival in NYC involves many expenses. We know that the festival experience, designed specifically for young filmmakers, provides a multitude of resources that will help filmmakers grow their craft and connect with future career opportunities. This includes: endless networking opportunities, hundreds of peer screenings, panel discussions and workshops, Q & A's, our technology showcase and college fair, live performances, and special celebrity guests, and so much more! Please note that filmmakers do not need to be in attendance to receive awards.
Q: Where is the Festival held?
A: All screenings and the majority of festival events take place at the AMC Empire 25 Theaters in Times Square (234 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036). This is our central hub for the weekend, where attendees can enjoy films, panels, workshops, and our technology showcase—right in the heart of Manhattan. Select events are also hosted at our partner venues: Hilton Midtown Hotel (1335 6th Ave, Manhattan), Opening Night Hudson River Dinner Cruise departing from Pier 15 at South Street Seaport, and Kings Theatre (1027 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226) which is home to our Teen Indie Awards Show.
Q: What's the Dress Code?
A: The majority of our events are casual with the exception of the Opening Night Dinner Cruise and Teen Indie Awards Show. For most events, plan on wearing comfortable attire and comfortable walking shoes. Our Opening Night Dinner Cruise does not have a formal dress code, but most attendees prefer to get a bit dressed up in "party" attire for the photo opportunities and networking. Our Teen Indie Awards Show is a formal event, so be sure to dress to impress. We don't require black tie/tuxedos, but all attendees are expected to wear formal attire. This typically means suits and ties and/or prom-type dresses.
Q: Where can I pick up my tickets/passes if they weren't mailed to me?
A: If your tickets were not mailed to you, you can pick them up at the Will-Call Table at the following festival events: Friday Night at the Boat Cruise check-in, Saturday & Sunday at the AMC Empire 25 Theaters in Times Square on the 4th floor, Sunday Night at the entrance of Kings Theatre in Brooklyn for the Teen Indie Awards. Simply provide the name of the person who placed the order, and our team will have your tickets ready for pickup. If you already have your passes in hand, there's no need to check in again.
Q: Can my family & friends attend my film's screening?
A: Most students purchase the All-Access or Elite All-Access Pass so that they can take advantage of all that the festival has to offer. We offer a wide variety of ticketing options so that you can enjoy some or all of our diverse events. To explore all of your ticket options, head over to hsfilmfest.com/tickets. All attendees must purchase tickets to attend events. The Opening Night Dinner Cruise includes a full buffet dinner and unlimited soft drinks! We offer a free lunch on both Saturday and Sunday at the AMC Theaters!
Q: Do you offer ticket refunds?
A: All ticket sales for the All American High School Film Festival are final. Tickets are non-refundable except in the case of event cancellation by the festival. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your ticket to another individual at no additional cost. All transfer requests must be submitted in writing to info@hsfilmfest.com no later than 7 days prior to the event. The festival is not responsible for unused tickets, scheduling conflicts, or travel interruptions, and no partial refunds will be issued for missed portions of the event. In the unlikely event that the festival is postponed, all tickets will be honored for the rescheduled dates. If you are unable to attend the new dates, you may request a credit equal to the full value of your ticket toward the following year's festival. If you purchase the Ticket Protection add-on via FilmFreeway, it allows for a full refund of your ticket fee if: You cancel within 2 days of ordering, the event is canceled or does not take place, or you cannot attend due to specific unforeseen circumstances such as illness, injury, jury duty, or court subpoena. Documentation is required for all unforeseen circumstances. The Ticket Protection fee itself is non-refundable.
Q: Should I purchase the All Access Pass or the Elite All Access Pass? What's the difference?
A: Both the All Access Pass and the Elite All Access Pass give you admission to all festival events at the AMC Empire 25 in Times Square, including screenings, workshops, the College Fair, and the Teen Indie Awards Red Carpet & Award Show at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. The key difference is that the Elite All Access Pass includes admission to our unforgettable kickoff event, the Opening Night Dinner & Dance Cruise. If you're looking for the full festival experience and the best opportunity to network and connect with peers, colleges, and industry reps from day one, the Elite All Access Pass is the way to go.
Q: Which ticket should I buy if my film is screening?
A: Many parents and family members also choose to attend the entire festival via the All-Access Pass. We host the nation's largest film and media college fair, an interactive exhibitor and technology showcase, and a variety of industry-insider panels and workshops. The festival is also a great way for you to connect with other parents and see the community of like-minded artists who share your child's passion. With the All-Access Pass, you can experience all of the events with your student artist, or give them the freedom to check things out on their own.
Q: Does a ticket purchase like the All-Access Pass include bus transportation to the Teen Indie Awards?
A: No. Round-trip coach bus transportation to and from the Teen Indie Awards is sold separately at hsfilmfest.com/tickets. Bus tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each rider must have their own bus ticket. Bus Pickup and drop-off will be on the 54th Street entrance of the Hilton Midtown Hotel. We ask guests to be in the lobby and to start lining up by 4:45PM.
Q: When are award nominations announced?
A: Award nominations are announced live at the Teen Indie Awards, our closing night awards ceremony on Sunday evening of the festival weekend. We do not announce nominations in advance.
Q: What is the Best of Fest?
A: Best of Fest is a curated showcase of standout films from the festival, hand-selected by our judging panel. This special program highlights exceptional work and screens during the festival weekend. The official Best of Fest lineups will be announced on-site at the AMC Empire 25 Theaters and posted to our social media channels at 7:30 PM EST on Saturday, October 17th—30 minutes before the screenings begin. Tickets can be purchased via hsfilmfest.com/tickets. Admission to the Best of Fest screening is available complimentary to all Elite All-Access and All-Access Passholders.
Q: Do I need to attend the festival in person to win an award?
A: Attendance is not required to win awards or scholarships, but it is highly recommended for the full experience, networking, and the opportunity to accept your award live on stage.
Q: Does the festival provide travel or financial assistance?
A: At this time, the festival is not able to provide direct financial assistance or travel funding. We encourage students and families to explore fundraising opportunities, seek support from their schools, and connect with community sponsors to help make the trip possible.
Q: Where can I find out when my film is screening?
A: The full screening schedule will be available at hsfilmfest.com. On the screening schedule, you'll find the full lineup of screenings organized by time and theater. We encourage you to use Ctrl+F (or Command+F on Mac) to search for your film title and quickly locate your screening block, date, and time.
Q: When do NYC Film Invitational Films screen?
A: NYC Film Invitational films will premiere Sunday beginning at 9:30AM in Theater 12 on Level 4 of the AMC Empire 25 Theaters. Admission is part of the general registration fee. Seating is available first-come, first-served on the day of.
Q: Can I bring a camera into Kings Theatre for the Teen Indie Awards?
A: Only non-professional point-and-shoot cameras with non-detachable lenses are permitted inside Kings Theatre. This includes digital compact cameras and point-and-shoot film cameras. Professional cameras such as DSLRs, SLRs, or mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses are not allowed.
Q: What's the best way to get to the festival from out of state?
A: Whether you're flying in or driving, getting in and around New York City is easier than you think. We do our best to host the majority of our events in centralized locations. The Hilton Midtown Hotel is the pick-up/drop-off location for our round-trip Private Coach Bus transportation to and from the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. Airports: JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark are less than an hour from the Hilton Midtown Hotel. We suggest taking public transportation or exploring shuttle and ride share options. Ground Transportation: The subway is cheap, fast, and convenient. All of our venues are easily accessible via the subway system. You can also take a taxi, Uber, or Lyft. You can purchase bus passes at hsfilmfest.com/tickets.
Q: Can I post my Official Selection online or submit to other festivals prior to the festival in October?
A: Yes! It's your film and you can share it as you wish before the festival dates! There is no exclusive clause about posting/sharing your film before our festival screenings, but it's also totally fine if you want our festival to serve as your official premiere.
Q: Is food provided during the festival?
A: Yes! Our Opening Night Dinner and Dance Cruise includes a delicious buffet dinner, dessert bar, and unlimited soft drinks for all attendees (there is also a cash bar for adults 21+). We also provide a free pizza lunch on both Saturday and Sunday at the AMC!
