Pitch your next short film for your chance to win a professional digital film camera and post production software from our friends at Blackmagic Design! Not only will you win amazing professional gear worth $5,000, but the two winning films will be automatic official selections at the 2026 AAHSFF and will screen at the AMC Theaters in NYC’s Times Square. 

Contest Details

  • You will submit a maximum 3-minute pitch video explaining the concept for a 5-10 minute short film (narrative or documentary).

  • The final deadline for pitch entries is on Monday, December 1st, 2025, via FilmFreeway.

  • Winning pitches will be announced on Wednesday, December 18th, on social media.

  • Winning teams will then have until the 2026 AAHSFF final submission deadline (Tuesday, June 30th, 2026) to shoot, edit, and deliver their completed film project (as pitched). 

  • Completed films will automatically be made an Official Selection and screen at the 2026 AAHSFF. 

  • Submissions open September 1st.

Eligibility  

  • The entire team must be in high school or younger during the 2025/2026 academic year (teams with current seniors are eligible). 

  • Each team must consist of 3-10 filmmakers.

  • Filmmakers can only participate on one team. 

  • Every pitch needs to include a teacher or adult advisor who will serve as the team lead and main point of contact. 

  • Each team can only submit one pitch. 

Submission Process   

Teams will submit via FilmFreeway starting on September 1st, following AAHSFF’s submission rules and guidelines. Review our step-by-step guide on how to submit to ensure that your submission will be received correctly.

Contest Requirements

  • Winning teams must commit to creating and completing their proposed pitch by Tuesday, June 30th, 2026 (AAHSFF Final Submission Deadline). 

  • Each team must use the Blackmagic Design equipment.

    • Blackmagic PYXIS 6K as the main camera.*

      • Note: Blackmagic Design is only providing the camera body and accompanying Blackmagic Design accessories, and teams will need to supply their own compatible lenses, media, and other accessories.

      • Certified media for Blackmagic PYXIS 6K can be found here: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/support/faq/59047 

    • DaVinci Resolve Studio for color grading, editing, VFX, and audio post.*

  • “Pitch” submissions do not need to follow a specific theme, but creativity will be rewarded.

  • Films may not include any copyrighted footage or music. They also must not plagiarize from other works. 

  • Films cannot include the visual use of drugs or sex/nudity. Language must be kept at a PG-13 level.   

  • Teams will be required to participate in periodic check-ins during the production of their film. 

    • Friday, January 9, 2026: Screenplay and pre-production plan must be submitted. 

    • Friday, April 10, 2026: Production must be wrapped with post-production starting.

    • Tuesday, June 30, 2026: Film must be completed and submitted via AAHSFF’s FilmFreeway submission portal.

      • *Training for equipment and software to be provided by Blackmagic Design.  

Additional Contest Details

  • Each team will retain rights to its content based on the AAHSFF Film Contest Rules and Terms. 

  • Films will premiere at the 2026 AAHSFF. Teams are not permitted to screen, distribute, or otherwise publicly release their “Pitch Production” in any capacity before or during the 2026 AAHSFF. Following the official premiere at the 2026 AAHSFF, teams will be permitted to screen their films and to post their films to their individual social media, YouTube, and Vimeo pages. All other uses will require prior written approval by AAHSFF. 

  • Films will be featured on the Blackmagic Design website, along with an accompanying press release around the 2025 AAHSFF and Blackmagic Design Pitch Contest, which will highlight the teams’ work. 

  • Teams must participate in developing the press release. (Examples of current press releases can be found on the Blackmagic Design website: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/media/release/archive.) 

  • Teams must provide high-resolution behind-the-scenes photos of their production, including photos of the Blackmagic Design gear in action, as well as stills from the film and screenshots of work in DaVinci Resolve Studio during post production.  

Prizing

  • The winning teams will each receive the following prize package.

  • A Blackmagic PYXIS 6K – An advanced digital film camera with an incredibly versatile design that lets you build the perfect camera rig for your production.

    • Will include Blackmagic URSA Cine EVF, Blackmagic PYXIS Rosette Plate and Blackmagic URSA Cine Handle

  • OR: a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2 - More advanced 6K model featuring a larger 6144 x 3456 Super 35 wide dynamic range sensor and EF lens mount. Features tilt adjustable LCD and a larger battery.

    • Will include Blackmagic Pocket Cine EVF, and Pocket Battery Grip.

  • DaVinci Resolve Studio – Blackmagic Design’s professional editing, color grading, VFX, and audio post production solution. (https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve) 

    • Note: the prizes will be given to the team advisor/mentor. It is then up to the team advisor/mentor to determine how the prizes will be distributed within the team or school production program. The prizes must not be resold and they must be used to create the film (as outlined in the contest requirements above.)  

Contest Judging 

  • A panel of Blackmagic Design representatives, AAHSFF staff and industry professionals will review the submitted pitches and deliberate to select the winning teams.