On Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15, 2025, we will present short films from current high school and college students across the United States.
Films must be 15 minutes in length or less.
We will accept films in the categories of animation, comedy, drama, horror, documentary or music video.
Films will be considered by a team of judges from the Shenandoah University faculty and alumni base, the programming team at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, and a group of industry professionals.
Selected films will screen for a live audience at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Winchester.
Cash prizes will be awarded for Best Film Winner ($100), Finalist ($50), and Semi-Finalist ($25)
JUDGES
Paul DiFranco
Director
The Film Studio at Shenandoah
Ariel Baska
Filmmaker / Podcaster / Author
Director, Ride the Omnibus
Steve Nerangis
Co-Owner
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Winchester VA
Varla Dogwood Films
Joseph Neff
Film Manager
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Winchester VA
Faye Cloven
Managing Director, Web Strategies
Director, Psycho Cinema
Mike Powell
Writer / Director / Editor, Mirandum Pictures
Mike is a writer/director and editor based in the greater Washington, DC area. He earned a master’s degree in literature from Catholic University and worked for several years in education, both as a teacher and textbook author, but chiefly employs his writing skills as Mirandum Pictures’ copywriter, developing concepts for branding videos. Mike also frequently serves as director on Mirandum’s video shoots, drawing on his fifteen years experience as a theatrical director.