2025 Claustrophobic Creativity

Sometimes simple is simply... better. Following in the footsteps of classic one-room Hollywood movies such as 12 Angry Men, Rear Window, and Rope, teams in this competition are tasked with producing a 2 to 4 minute film that is completely shot in one room. Over the course of the 10-week pre-production period, participating teams will be responsible for every aspect of creating a short narrative film: ideation, script writing, location scouting, casting, shoot schedules, and more. This preparation is designed to put teams in the best possible position to successfully shoot and edit their film in New York City over the course of 2 days.

Of course, we’ll make things interesting by adding a few surprise requirements that further challenge teams to be at their creative best!

The Process:

  • Teams must register before Friday, September 26th, 2025.

  • All teams are required to have an adult team leader/mentor.

  • Team Leaders will be responsible for communicating with AAHSFF staff.

  • Maximum number of team members: 10 (Does not include adult mentors, teachers, etc.).

  • Entry fees are $250 for teams with 5 or fewer members, and $500 for teams with 6 or more members.

The Room: Your room can be any physical location with four walls/ an enclosed space. We’ve had teams use elevators, cars and even huge churches. As long as the room has four walls/an enclosed space it qualifies as eligible. OF COURSE, IF YOU ELECT TO CHOOSE AN UNCONVENTIONAL SPACE AS YOUR ROOM AND YOU ARE NOT 100% CERTAIN IT QUALIFIES, you can email us for confirmation.

What You Can (& Can’t) Do:

  • Your camera(s) CANNOT LEAVE THE ROOM AT ANY POINT during the film. Your cameras can move around within the room and can capture action and imagery outside of the room through windows, doors, holes, etc. 

  • You cannot introduce any footage that does not originate in the one room. If you choose to include animations, visual fx, text ,etc. These elements must also exist only inside the one room. 

  • Your actors can enter and exit the room and light and audio can come from outside of the room. 

  • Failure to meet the above criteria will result in your team’s disqualification from the competition.

We are once again offering comprehensive submission critiques as an option for your Film Invitational participation. Each critique is prepared by AAHSFF Co-Founder and Executive Director, Tom Oliva, and offers in-depth analysis of the elements utilized in your production and how well they helped communicate your story concept to ultimately deliver an emotional impact. All critiques will be delivered by Mid-November. The cost for each official critique is $200.

  • The competition begins on Monday, August 11th, 2025, when teams receive the Official Welcome Packet and begin pre-production.

  • Teams have 10 weeks to produce their final submission.

  • All submissions are due by Friday, October 17th, 2025, at 4:00PM EST.

  • All teams will have the opportunity to utilize an editing station at the Official FI HQ located at the New York Hilton Midtown Hotel.

  • Teams are responsible for providing their own film and editing equipment.

  • All competition submissions will screen at the AMC Theaters in Times Square on Sunday, October 19th, 2025.

  • Films will be judged, and nominees and winners will be announced live at the 2025 Teen Indie Awards on Sunday, October 19th, 2025.

  • All films will be available on our YouTube page following the announcement of the winners.

If your school/organization requires you to pay by PO or check, please email festival director, Tom Oliva, who will assist with the necessary registration process and invoice for payment.

*Prize Package Valued at $500 for the Winning Team!*

*Festival Passes Sold Separately*

*Special All-Access Pass Discounts Available for FI Participants*

*If your school/organization requires you to pay by PO or check, please email festival director, Tom Oliva, who will assist with the necessary registration process and invoice for payment.*

2024 Claustrophobic Creativity Winning Film

What Happened to Him? - James Clemens High School Team B - 2024 Film Invitational Claustrophobic Creativity Winner