Calling Sea to Sky Corridor high school students! The Sea to Sky region is known for inspiring adventurers and storytellers. Whistler Secondary wants to see how it inspires you in its inaugural Short Film Festival. Submit a short film for your chance to win great prizes!

To celebrate what makes the Sea to Sky region unique, the Whistler Secondary Short Film Festival debuts as a student filmmaking competition produced by the graduating class of 2023, where you could win great prizes! The competition is open to anyone in grades 8 to 12 residing in Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton and Mt. Currie, and attending a SD48 public or independent school with a phone, GoPro, or camera with a story to tell.

Creativity is your only limit. Student filmmakers are tasked to shoot, edit and produce a 3 to 5-minute short film within the Sea to Sky Corridor – taking their creative vision from concept to reality. The top ten films will premiere on the big screen for an audience of over 200 at Whistler Secondary. Over $2,000 in prizes will be awarded to the top three films, and the People’s Choice Award chosen by the audience. Plus there will be plenty of door prizes to be won.

There are no restrictions on your creativity or how you choose to capture the magic that makes the Sea to Sky region so unique. And there are no limitations on how the film is shot or how you interpret the theme. You can shoot live-action, animation, stop-motion, documentary, use actors, cutouts, puppets, or animals. The choice is yours!

Awards & Prizes

The judges, who are all professional filmmakers, will select ten, three to five-minute films finalists to screen at the Whistler Secondary Short Film Festival event on April 20, 2023, at Whistler Secondary. Over $2,000 in prizes will be awarded to the top three films.

The People’s Choice Award will be chosen by the audience.

Plus there will be plenty of prizes to be won.

Rules & Terms

- Who is eligible to apply?
The competition is open to anyone in grades 8 to 12 residing in Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton and Mt. Currie, and attending an SD48 public or independent school with a phone, GoPro, or camera with a story to tell.

- When can I start filming?
You can start filming as of February 21, 2023 when the competition opens and once you complete the entry form.
Films must be submitted by March 31, 2023 at 11:59 pm.

- Film Format:
Projects in all genres can be submitted for consideration.
All rights remain with the filmmaker and WSS has no proprietary interest in any of the projects.
Applicants must have the right to use all music, logos, and other copyrighted materials in your film. See the tips and rules here.

- Film Criteria:
Entrants have until March 31, 2023 at 11:59 pm to submit their short films.
Films must fit into one of three categories: Sport, Culture or Nature
Any filming equipment is allowed. Films can be shot on a phone, GoPro, or camera.

- How much does it cost to enter?
The entry fee is $25 per entry.

- Fees:
Entry Fee:$25 per team
Event Tickets: $10 per person
The top 20 teams receive 2 comp tickets per team to attend the event on April 20.
Teams are responsible for all associated costs to produce their films.

- Who selects the finalists and what are the key criteria for project selection?
The judges, composed of professional filmmakers, will select up to 20 films, three to five minute films to be part of the Whistler Secondary Short Film Festival on April 20, 2023 at Whistler Secondary.
Entries will be judged based on their application’s overall concept, creativity, and originality.
There are no restrictions on your creativity or how you choose to capture the magic that makes the Sea to Sky region so unique. And there are no limitations on how the film is shot or how you interpret the theme. You can shoot live-action, animation, stop-motion, documentary, use actors, cutouts, puppets, or animals. The choice is yours!

- Key criteria for selection include:
Overall concept, including creativity, originality and cinematography
If there is a conflict, the committee member absents themselves from the discussion and decision-making.
All entries submitted must be suitable for children and youth ages 19 and under.

- How long can my film be?
3 minutes (180 seconds) minimum to 5 minutes (300 seconds) maximum
Any films that do not meet the time requirements will not be eligible for consideration.

- Can I use archival footage?
Archival footage may be used in context but cannot make up the whole film.
Filmmakers cannot submit previously produced work.

- Who retains the rights to the film?
The filmmaker will reserve ownership of the film.
WSS reserves the right to use the film for promotional purposes on its respective channels during and after the 2023 Festival at its discretion.