RULES

RISING STAR FILM FESTIVAL – 2025 RULES & TERMS Eligibility

1. Student Status Required

   • You must be a registered student in high school or college at the time of filming.

   • If you make the Finalists, you must provide proof of registration for the 2025/26 academic year.

   • If you cannot provide proof, you will be disqualified.

2. Years of Production

   • All submitted films must have been created in 2024 or 2025.

3. International Submissions Welcome

   • Students from anywhere in the world may enter.

Film Requirements

4. Original Content

   • Films must be your original work.

5. No Music Videos or Animation

   • For the 2024/25 festival cycle, only live-action films are accepted.

6. Length & Format

   • Maximum runtime: 5 minutes (including titles and credits).

   • Accepted formats: (Specify here, e.g., MP4, MOV).

   • Films over the time limit may be disqualified.

Submission Details

7. Opening Date – Entries open November 15th, 2025.

8. Closing Date – Entries must be submitted by December 15th, 2025.

9. Submission Method – (Specify, e.g., via FilmFreeway or direct email submission).

Judging

10. Judging panel features accomplished industry professionals from television, film, theatre, and music.

Sample List of 2025 Festival Judges

• Michael Damian – American actor, singer, director, writer, and producer best known for his role as Danny Romalotti on The Young and the Restless (1981–1998, 2002–2004, 2008, 2012–2013, 2022–2025), currently working as a film director/producer in Hollywood & Overseas.

• Coles, Terrance “Terry” – Veteran Canadian broadcaster with an extensive career in radio and television, including leadership roles at Mid-Canada Television, CFCN-TV Calgary, CKY-TV Winnipeg, CKLW-AM & FM Windsor/Detroit, YTV, and Shaw Communications. Inducted into the CAB Hall of Fame (2009).

• Geordie Day – Canadian documentary filmmaker, writer, and producer (Tough Guy: The Bob Probert Story, Charles Manson: Final Words, Born Blue). Recipient of a Genesis Award (2016) and Hillman Prize (2024). Known for work on Amazon Prime, CBC, CTV, and MGM+.

• Michael Frislev – Emmy Award–winning Canadian producer and co-founder of Nomadic Pictures (Fargo, Hell on Wheels, Van Helsing). Oversees more than 90 film/TV projects internationally with multiple industry honors.

• Judges' feedback may be provided at the festival’s discretion.

• Top 3 winning films will receive prizes, which may include:

  • Winner plaques

  • Production software

  • Cash and equipment rental credits

  • Movie passes
    (Exact prizes may vary depending on sponsor contributions).

• Sponsors in previous years have included Red Giant Software, CSIF (Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers), and others.

Additional

11. The festival was created by Bow Valley College Film Students and is an annual event celebrating student filmmakers.

12. Feedback and questions can be emailed to:

risingstarfilmfestival@bowvalleycollege.ca

. Like our Facebook page: facebook.com/risingstarfilmfestival