The EDTV Student Film Festival is returning for its 6th year, celebrating some of the best filmmaking and photography the Plymouth Public Schools community has to offer!
After the success of last year’s festival format, we’re bringing back our Drama, Mystery, and Comedy genres, as well as the featured prop and dialogue line requirements for each film.
The prop for this year? A key! Remember, a key comes in many different forms. How you choose to portray it in your film is entirely up to you.
This year’s line of dialogue is… ‘Wait a second.’ Make sure to feature it somewhere in your film, however you see fit!
Our photography category is also returning, featuring the three styles of still-life, portrait, and abstract. Choose the style that best fits your photo idea, and make sure it features some form of ‘key’ within the frame.
And of course, the festival wouldn’t be complete without some awards. We’ve got plenty of them – 24 in all, split between the middle school and high school levels in both our film and photography sections. Don’t miss your chance to make your creative mark and take home some incredible prizes at the 2025 EDTV Student Film Festival!
And from all of us here at EDTV – good luck, and happy filmmaking!
Student Film Festival Submission Deadline
- days
- hours
- minutes
- seconds
DOWNLOAD THE APP!
Go to https://bit.ly/2025edtvfilmfestival and add this link to the homepage on your mobile device!
TIPS & TRICKS
Video Length
Your submission’s total runtime must NOT exceed five minutes (including credits).
Know your audience
Your video/photo will be viewed and judged by members of the Plymouth community and staff from the Plymouth Public Schools.
Use the prop
Your film OR photography must include a key somewhere within the film/image; get creative with how, why, and where you use it!
Line of dialogue
Your film must contain the line of dialogue, “wait a second”, somewhere within the film. The tone, delivery, and way in which the line is used is up to you!
share your story
Be original! We want to highlight YOUR individual ideas and perspective through a video or photography submission!
VIDEO GENRES
PHOTOGRAPHY CATEGORIES
VIDEO SUBMISSION
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LENGTH
Film must be no longer than 5 minutes
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PROP
Film must include a key in some manner
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DIALOGUE
Film must include line of dialogue "wait a second"
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GENRE
Film must be one of the three genres (Drama, Mystery, or Comedy)
PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMISSION
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CATEGORY
Photograph must fit into one of the three categories (Portrait, Still Life, or Abstract)
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PROP
Photograph must include a key in some manner
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FORMAT
Photograph must be a JPG, PNG, or PDF
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DESCRIPTION
Photography must include a short description about the image (completed on submission form)
2024 FILM FESTIVAL WINNERS
HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL WINNERS
MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL WINNERS
FAQ
How long should my video submission be?
The length of your video will not exceed 5 minutes including credits.
Videos that do not adhere to the guidelines may not be considered for prizes.
I want to use music in my video, do you have any resources I can use?
Yes, we do! The 2025 Student Film Festival will allow royalty free music ONLY. Browse our library of royalty free music HERE or e-mail edtv@plymouth.k12.ma.us for login information to access additional options.
Can I use a copyrighted song for the background music?
No, all video entries must adhere to copyright rules. Original music written by the student or peer may be used with proper credit. This includes cover songs as well. If you plan to use audio from an original performance, please do not use the master track behind your video in an effort to avoid copyright infringement.
If you are looking for royalty-free music, you can find a selection of royalty free music HERE. In order to access you must be logged into your @student.plymouth.k12.ma.us email.
How many people can be part of my group?
While there are no restrictions with how many people can be part of your group, we advise you to keep numbers to a minimum as prizes will be awarded one per submission.
Can I work on this during the school day?
You may work on your video during the school day if the curriculum or your teacher allows. You need to get permission first and be respectful of your teacher’s decision.
Do I need to fill out any paperwork to participate?
There is no paperwork required to participate in this year’s Student Film Festival. Just be sure to take a few minutes filling out the Submission Form when you are ready to submit your entry. Form link: https://bit.ly/2025edtvfilmfestivalsubmission
How do I submit my finished video/photo entry?
Submit your entry at the following link: https://bit.ly/2025edtvfilmfestivalsubmission
Will I be notified that my video/photo has been submitted?
You will be notified that your video/photo has been submitted via the e-mail you used to complete the Submission Form. Make sure that you use the right e-mail and that it is spelled correctly.
Can I change or resubmit my video/photo after I submitted it?
No. You should make sure that your video or photo entry is complete and to your satisfaction before submitting it. Remember, you have until February 28, 2025.
What are the prizes?
Specific prizes will be revealed as we get closer to the Film Festival. Some prizes may include gift cards, various filming equipment and accessories!
If more than one person is part of my winning group, will we all win individual prizes?
Unfortunately, not every member of the group will win an individual prize, but the prize can be shared amongst group members.
Can I submit more than one photo or video?
You may submit one unique entry per genre. If you submit a video, you can also submit one photo, or a different video in a different genre.
When and where will the ceremony take place?
Will all of the videos that were submitted be played during the ceremony?
All submitted videos will be a part of the Film Festival celebration, but depending on the number of submissions, they may not all be viewed on the night of the ceremony. Entries will be included as part of the 2025 celebrations, and highlighted by EDTV.
Can I use copyrighted content in my video?
Copyrighted music or materials of any kind is NOT allowed in your submissions.
What needs to be included in the photo submission?
Similarly to the video entries, all photography entries must include the prop of a key in their image. Participants are allowed to edit their image in a photo editing software prior to entry.
My video fits into multiple genres. Can I submit it to all of them?
Please limit your submissions to whichever genre you think fits best. However, you may submit different videos to different genres. EDTV reserves the right to move entries to genres as they see fit.
RULES & GUIDELINES
DEADLINE FOR ENTRY
Entries for the Plymouth EDTV Student Film Festival (the “Contest”) can be submitted no later than February 28, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
ELIGIBILITY
Entrants must submit entries as required on the entry form to be eligible. Entrants must only be middle or high school level students who attend the Plymouth Public Schools. Entries received after the deadline set forth in these terms are ineligible, null, and void.
HOW TO ENTER
Create a film according to the theme and specified length listed in one (1) of the three categories. Additionally, there is a photo category. Visit www.PlymouthEDTV.com/FilmFestival and follow the instructions to complete the entry form to submit your film or photo. Films must include the required prop and line of dialogue. Film and Photo entries must adhere to ALL requirements in order to be eligible for prizes.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINES
When uploading your submission, you must use the following file naming conventions:
FirstNameLastName_FilmTitle.mp4
Examples:
JaneDoe_MyFilm.mov
JohnDoe_MyMovie.mp4
We will only accept the video file formats listed below:
- .MP4
- .MOV
We will only accept the photo file formats listed below:
- .JPG
- .PNG
Do not submit films in 4K. Please submit your film in 1080 HD resolution. Films that are accepted into the festival will be screened in 16:9 aspect ratio.
SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS
Winners will be announced in April of 2025 at the awards show. Winners will be chosen by the Plymouth Public Schools staff, Plymouth Community Members, and the Plymouth EDTV Staff on the merits of each entry. All winners will be notified at the Awards Ceremony scheduled to take place on April 2nd, 2025.
RULES FOR ENTRY
Any Entry that is deemed to more appropriately fit into another category will be moved into the most fitting category. Best efforts will be made to notify Entrants of any changes that are made.
RULES FOR ENTRY
An Entry must be the original work of the Entrant, and must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any person or entity. All entries should be school appropriate. By submitting an Entry, the Entrant warrants and represents that they and any persons appearing or who are identifiable in the Entry consent to the submission and use of the Entry in the Contest and to its use as otherwise set forth herein.
OWNERSHIP/USE OF SUBMISSIONS
By submitting an Entry, you hereby grant to Plymouth EDTV a royalty-free, fully paid up, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive and fully sub-licensable right and license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, combine with other works, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, edit and display such Entry (in whole or part) including, without limitation, the names and likenesses of any persons or locations embodied therein, and/or to incorporate it in other works in any form, media, or technology now known or later developed.
If you or someone you may know is interested in sponsoring this year’s Student Film Festival, please reach out to Jen Mulvaney at jmulvaney@plymouth.k12.ma.us, or the EDTV team at edtv@plymouth.k12.ma.us. See the chart for our sponsorship tier offerings.