FAQs
What is the Cheyenne Youth Short Film Festival and Fear Film Fest?
The Cheyenne Youth Short Film Festival is a two week filmmaking competition for anyone under the age of 18. Our main contest takes place in the spring and is open to all film genres.
The Fear Film Fest is also a two week contest, focused around the suspense and thriller film genres. This event is held in the fall.
Who is allowed participate in the film festival?
We only accept films that have been created by filmmakers 18 years or younger (or those who are still in high school student at the time of competition). This includes all individuals operating equipment, writing the script, editing the film, appearing in the film, etc.
How long do filmmakers have to complete and submit their films?
Both our contests provide two weeks between the Brief Release and the "Films Due" date for entries to be completed. Pre-Production activities such as writing, location scouting and more are allowed before the contest begins.
When will the Brief Release document be available and where can I access it?
The Brief Release can be found on our Documents page once it becomes available on the announced date.
What requirements must be included with entries?
In order to ensure that entries are completed within the two week timeframe, films must include the following items:
How long/short can my entry be?
The spring CYSFF contest accepts films between 1-15 minutes. The Fear Film Fest accepts films between 1-7 minutes.
Where can I submit my film once it's complete?
On the due date, films can be submitted in person from 4-5pm at the Laramie County Library. You can also use Dropbox or Google Drive to submit your film online. Either way, make sure that you include all of the necessary paperwork as well!
Where can I find all of the required paperwork and what forms do I need?
All films must be submitted with a Film Submission and Award Nomination form. If you plan on shooting in a public location (i.e school, library, coffee shop, ect.), you must be given permission and have an employee fill out and sign the Location Release form. In the case that you wish you use a piece of non-royalty free music, you must fill out and have the composer sign the Soundtrack Release form.
All of these forms and a copy of the Brief Release can be found in our Document's tab.
What equipment am I allowed to use to create my film?
We believe that you don't need the world's most expensive camera to make a remarkable film. You can use any camera or editing software you wish (we've had short films that were shot on smartphones win awards in the past!)
And while we ask that all aspects of the film be developed by students 18 years or younger, you can borrow equipment from a school or adult and receive basic instruction on how to operate it.
What music/sound effects can I use in my film?
We ask that all filmmakers use royalty free or public domain music/sound effects for easy accessibility. You can also use self composed music, music that you otherwise have the rights to use, or music you have obtained permission to use.
(Remember that this is not just a CYSFF rule, but an issue of copyright law as well.)
How are the films judged?
Every film is screened before a panel of selected and experienced judges. The judges discuss each film and select their individual nominations, based on the category they represent, before determining the film that best represents each category.
How many films will be screened at the Premiere/Award Ceremony and what categories will be awarded?
Our judges select the top ten films out of all the films submitted, and those ten films will be screened at the event. We award the following categories:
We also feature a few smaller exhibition awards:
Where will the Premiere/Award Ceremony be held and what is the cost of Admission?
Generally, our Award Ceremony is held at the Historic Atlas Theater in downtown Cheyenne, WY. Anyone who played a role in the production of a submitted short film can get into the event for free, while public admission is $10 per person.
The Cheyenne Youth Short Film Festival is a two week filmmaking competition for anyone under the age of 18. Our main contest takes place in the spring and is open to all film genres.
The Fear Film Fest is also a two week contest, focused around the suspense and thriller film genres. This event is held in the fall.
Who is allowed participate in the film festival?
We only accept films that have been created by filmmakers 18 years or younger (or those who are still in high school student at the time of competition). This includes all individuals operating equipment, writing the script, editing the film, appearing in the film, etc.
How long do filmmakers have to complete and submit their films?
Both our contests provide two weeks between the Brief Release and the "Films Due" date for entries to be completed. Pre-Production activities such as writing, location scouting and more are allowed before the contest begins.
When will the Brief Release document be available and where can I access it?
The Brief Release can be found on our Documents page once it becomes available on the announced date.
What requirements must be included with entries?
In order to ensure that entries are completed within the two week timeframe, films must include the following items:
- Required Phrase
- Required Object
- Required Shot (spring contest only)
- Production Photos (at least three)
How long/short can my entry be?
The spring CYSFF contest accepts films between 1-15 minutes. The Fear Film Fest accepts films between 1-7 minutes.
Where can I submit my film once it's complete?
On the due date, films can be submitted in person from 4-5pm at the Laramie County Library. You can also use Dropbox or Google Drive to submit your film online. Either way, make sure that you include all of the necessary paperwork as well!
Where can I find all of the required paperwork and what forms do I need?
All films must be submitted with a Film Submission and Award Nomination form. If you plan on shooting in a public location (i.e school, library, coffee shop, ect.), you must be given permission and have an employee fill out and sign the Location Release form. In the case that you wish you use a piece of non-royalty free music, you must fill out and have the composer sign the Soundtrack Release form.
All of these forms and a copy of the Brief Release can be found in our Document's tab.
What equipment am I allowed to use to create my film?
We believe that you don't need the world's most expensive camera to make a remarkable film. You can use any camera or editing software you wish (we've had short films that were shot on smartphones win awards in the past!)
And while we ask that all aspects of the film be developed by students 18 years or younger, you can borrow equipment from a school or adult and receive basic instruction on how to operate it.
What music/sound effects can I use in my film?
We ask that all filmmakers use royalty free or public domain music/sound effects for easy accessibility. You can also use self composed music, music that you otherwise have the rights to use, or music you have obtained permission to use.
(Remember that this is not just a CYSFF rule, but an issue of copyright law as well.)
How are the films judged?
Every film is screened before a panel of selected and experienced judges. The judges discuss each film and select their individual nominations, based on the category they represent, before determining the film that best represents each category.
How many films will be screened at the Premiere/Award Ceremony and what categories will be awarded?
Our judges select the top ten films out of all the films submitted, and those ten films will be screened at the event. We award the following categories:
- Best Art Direction
- Best Cinematography
- Best Screenplay
- Best Editing
- Best Actress
- Best Actor
- Best Runner-Up (Second Place)
- Best Picture
We also feature a few smaller exhibition awards:
- Best Usage of the Required Phrase
- Best Usage of the Required Item
- Best Usage of the Required Shot (spring contest only)
- Best Production Photo
Where will the Premiere/Award Ceremony be held and what is the cost of Admission?
Generally, our Award Ceremony is held at the Historic Atlas Theater in downtown Cheyenne, WY. Anyone who played a role in the production of a submitted short film can get into the event for free, while public admission is $10 per person.
CHEYENNE YOUTH SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
© 2023, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
© 2023, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
