2026 NYC Photography Challenge
Oct
14
to Oct 19
Competition

2026 NYC Photography Challenge

Welcome to the 2026 Festival Photography Challenge!

This year, we’re turning the lens back on our own community. We’re inviting you to capture the Spirit of the Festival—the raw energy, the behind-the-scenes hustle, and the shared passion that makes AAHSFF the premiere event for young filmmakers.

The Challenge: As you navigate the screenings, workshops, and red carpets, keep your camera ready for the moments that define our festival. Look for the intense focus of a filmmaker during a Q&A, the spontaneous collaboration between new friends in the lobby, or the electric atmosphere of the AMC Empire 25. Whether it’s a candid shot of a peer in action or the vibrant glow of the Times Square lights reflecting off our posters, capture the pulse of the 2026 experience.

How to Submit:
Create a photography project on FilmFreeway, fill out the submission form, and upload your best images to the challenge when it goes live.

  • Submissions Open: Monday, November 2nd, 2026

  • Deadline: Friday, November 13th, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST

  • Winner Announced: Thursday, November 19th, 2026

View Event →
2026 All-American Experience Contest
Oct
14
to Oct 19
Competition

2026 All-American Experience Contest

This is your chance to share your unique 2026 Festival experience in a short video—4 minutes or less. Document your journey to, during, and even after the festival weekend for a chance to win a swag bag and bragging rights as you compete against other festival attendees from all over the world.

We want to see what the 2026 Festival looked like through your lens! Be creative and share your unique story.

Important Dates

  • Submissions Open: Monday, November 2, 2026

  • Deadline: Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST

  • Winner Announced: Thursday, November 19, 2026

The Prize

Elite All-Access Pass to the 2027 All American High School Film Festival ($350 value)!

Examples of some awesome AAHSFF Experience Recap videos!

View Event →
2026 NYC Film Invitational
Oct
14
to Oct 16
Main Event, Competition

2026 NYC Film Invitational

The AAHSFF Film Invitational is the world’s premier, on-site student filmmaking competition - An authentic, real-world production experience for student filmmakers and video production programs - your chance to “crew up” and produce a short film in just 10 weeks. We believe that the best classroom is a film set, and our Film Invitational Competitions provide participants with an unparalleled chance to productively collaborate, improve their craft and test their skills while competing against student teams from around the world. 

At the heart of all of our competition options is the pre-production process, enabling teams to fully embrace the most essential phase of production, and helping you create your best possible submission once on-set in New York City. Simply put: Competing in the Film Invitational is a team-building, tech-fueled, creative experience like no other!

2026 Competitions Include:

  • The Complete Film Invitational Experience

  • Claustrophobic Creativity

REGISTER NOW
View Event →
2026 Opening Night Hudson River Dinner Cruise
Oct
16
6:30 PM18:30
Main Event, Networking

2026 Opening Night Hudson River Dinner Cruise

Kick off the festival weekend right with our Opening Night Party and Networking Event sailing around Manhattan on the Hudson River! This event is for Elite All-Access Pass holders or those who purchased tickets specifically for the dinner cruise. If you have a general All-Access pass, you may purchase admission to the dinner cruise while supplies last.

THIS EVENT IS GOING TO SELL OUT, SECURE YOUR ELITE ALL-ACCESS PASS NOW: hsfilmfest.com/tickets

Feel free to review Citycruises Know Before You Go guide for everything you need to know about getting to the cruise that is departing from Pier 61.

View Event →
2026 Technology Showcase
Oct
17
9:30 AM09:30
Main Event, Networking, Technology Demos

2026 Technology Showcase

  • AMC Empire 25 Theaters (Level 6) (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Check out the newest of the new from our partners, soon to be announced! Get your hands on the tech and talk to representatives about what's new in the film industry!

Get your Elite All-Access Pass now: hsfilmfest.com/tickets

Interested in participating in this event? Contact info@aahsff.com to explore festival integration opportunities.

View Event →
2026 Educator Breakfast - Saturday
Oct
17
9:30 AM09:30
Networking, For Educators

2026 Educator Breakfast - Saturday

  • AMC Empire 25 Theaters (Level 6M Conference Space) (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

ONLY FOR TEACHERS AND/OR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
Get charged up for the day while mingling with fellow educators and learning about the exciting programming our festival has to support your film program! Coffee and pastries will be provided. Located on Floor 6M at the AMC Theater (accessible by elevator only).

Get your Elite All-Access Pass now: hsfilmfest.com/tickets

View Event →
2026 College Fair & Free Lunch
Oct
17
12:00 PM12:00
Networking, College Fair

2026 College Fair & Free Lunch

  • AMC Empire 25 Theaters (Level 4 & 5) (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us at the nation's largest film and media arts college fair! Take some time to check out each school and their unique approach to film and media education. All participants will receive a free lunch after exiting the college fair. For a list of participating colleges please visit our College Corner.

Get your Elite All-Access Pass now: hsfilmfest.com/tickets

View Event →
2026 Best of Fest Screenings
Oct
17
8:00 PM20:00
Main Event, Networking

2026 Best of Fest Screenings

  • AMC Empire 25 Theaters (Level 4) (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

During our Best of Fest Screenings, we will screen some of the very best films that the 2026 All American High School Film Festival has to offer. Not all films in this screening will win awards, but a little birdie told me that some might... The Best Of Fest is divided into three different 2-hour screenings, all first-come, first-served. But don't worry, they are all outstanding!

Get your Elite All-Access Pass now: hsfilmfest.com/tickets

View Event →
2026 Educator Breakfast - Sunday
Oct
18
9:30 AM09:30
Networking, For Educators

2026 Educator Breakfast - Sunday

  • AMC Empire 25 Theaters (Level 6M Conference Space) (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

ONLY FOR TEACHERS AND/OR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
Get charged up for the day while mingling with fellow educators and learning about the exciting programming our festival has to support your film program! Coffee and pastries will be provided. Located on Floor 6M at the AMC Theater (accessible by elevator only).

Get your Elite All-Access Pass now: hsfilmfest.com/tickets

View Event →
Round Trip Bus Transportation to Teen Indie Awards at Kings Theatre
Oct
18
5:00 PM17:00
Transportation

Round Trip Bus Transportation to Teen Indie Awards at Kings Theatre

Attendees with bus passes will begin boarding our reserved coach buses for round trip transportation to and from the Tindies at Kings Theatre in Flatbush, Brooklyn.

There will be the option to purchase tickets for a seat on a chartered bus that will take you from the New York Hilton Midtown Hotel (1335 6th Ave, New York, NY) to and from Kings Theatre for the Teen Indie Awards.

BUS PASSES MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE. DEADLINE TO PURCHASE IS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8TH

Get your bus pass now: hsfilmfest.com/tickets

Buses will load on the 54th Street side of the hotel (map below):

View Event →
2026 Teen Indie Award Red Carpet Event
Oct
18
6:00 PM18:00
Main Event, Networking, Formal

2026 Teen Indie Award Red Carpet Event

The festival weekend all leads up to this... the annual Teen Indie Awards Show and Red Carpet. Walk the Red Carpet with your friends and family, and then sit back and cross your fingers.

BUS PASSES MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE. DEADLINE TO PURCHASE IS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH

Get your Elite All-Access Pass now: hsfilmfest.com/tickets

View Event →