FUTURE FILMMAKERS FUND

The Future Filmmaker's Fund is the heartbeat of our association, dedicated to nurturing the creative voices in the High Desert that will shape the future of film. Through a combination of local support, generous donations, and targeted grant funding, we provide vital resources for student and local artist film projects.

Our fund also supports a wide range of initiatives, from film contests and festivals to showcasing emerging talent and community awareness events that highlight the power of storytelling and the High Desert's historic role in cinema. Whether you're a student with an innovative concept or an established local artist seeking to share your work, the Future Filmmaker's Fund offers opportunities and support to turn your vision into reality.

By fostering collaboration, encouraging creativity, and connecting filmmakers with a vibrant network, we're helping to cultivate a thriving creative community and ensure that tomorrow's films are in the hands of today's dreamers.

Future Filmmaker's Fund Short Film Contest

Submit your short film and showcase your talent!

Students

  • Any High Desert future filmmaker student K through 12.
  • All genres.
  • Rated G through PG13 (No rated R).
  • Top 5 submissions will be chosen for future festival screening.
  • Prizes (cash or otherwise) for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place: TBD
  • Submission Fee: $15.00

Live Action

  • Any future filmmaker of any age.
  • All genres.
  • Rated G through R.
  • Top 5 submissions will be chosen for future festival screening.
  • 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be announced at the festival.
  • Prizes (cash or otherwise) for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place: TBD
  • Submission Fee: $25.00

Animation

  • Any future filmmaker of any age.
  • All genres.
  • Rated G through R.
  • Top 3 submissions will be chosen for future festival screening.
  • 1st place winner will be announced at the festival.
  • Prize (cash or otherwise) for 1st place: TBD
  • Submission Fee: $20.00

AI

  • Any future filmmaker of any age.
  • All genres.
  • Rated G through R.
  • Top 3 submissions will be chosen for future festival screening.
  • Prize (cash or otherwise) for 1st place: TBD
  • Submission Fee: $20.00

Audience Choice Award

  • Each category will receive an Audience Choice Award.
  • Audience will vote during the festival by provided paper ballots.
  • Winners will be announced per category after places and prizes have been awarded.
  • Prizes: TBD
  • No Fee to vote.
Disclosure: For Ratings Definitions please refer to the link in the Technical and Runtime Requirements. Be sure to note your category on submission donation page. Contest structure, rules, requirements and prizes are subject to change at anytime.

Rules and Requirements (All Categories)

High Desert Requirements
  • Must mention or visually highlight the High Desert in a significant manner through character dialogue and/or location, signage, etc.
  • One character must mention coming or going, “Down the hill.”
Timestamp (To ensure all films are current)
  • ALL FILMMAKERS must capture a slated and dated Behind the Scenes clip from ON SET showing the film is currently being shot.
  • BTS clip must be posted on a cast or crew's Facebook and/or Instagram with hashtag #hdfuturefilmmakersconestest.
  • We highly recomend tagging us as well. Links to our social media are below in the footer.
  • If social media isn't your thing, we will also accept a character mention and/or a visual cue of the current year (2025) such as an existing or ficticous publication, marquee or signage.
  • Films without either of these timestamp verifications WILL NOT be accepted!
Weapons
  • NO REAL WEAPONS OR PROPS OF WEAPONS THAT CURRENTLY EXIST CAN BE DRAWN, WIELDED, OR FIRED EVEN IF USING POST-PRODUCTION SPECIAL EFFECTS! ANY WEAPON THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS CAN ONLY BE SHOWN AS HOLSTERED IN SOME FASHION.
  • Fictitious and/or pre-fabricated weapons that do not exist in the real world ARE ALLOWED and postproduction special effects are acceptable if non-existing weapon needs to be used and/or fired.
Explicit Content/Nudity
  • ABSOLUTELY NO NUDITY FOR ANY CATEGORY!
  • If your genre is a horror please refer to the Ratings Explained link below in the Technical and Runtime Requirements.
  • Please keep blood, guts, gore and swearing at respectable level as explained in the ratings link below.
  • Explicit content is acceptable for Live Action, Animation and AI categories.
Title and Credits
  • If using opening title and credits, roll them over the opening footage so as to not cut into runtime.
  • End credits WILL NOT BE COUNTED AS RUNTIME and should be no longer than 30 seconds.
Judging
  • All films will be judged by the High Desert Association of Film, Theater, and Performing Arts board members and other possible professional guest judges as determined by the board.
  • After meeting all submission requirements above, films will be judged on:
    • Story originality
    • Use of The High Desert
    • Directing
    • Acting
    • Cinematography
    • Postproduction – editing, special effects, etc.
Disclosure: The following rules and requirements apply to all categories with NO EXCEPTIONS! If unable to achieve the content rules and requirements before the submission end date, your film will not be accepted and your submission fee will be refunded.

Technical and Runtime Requirements

Disclosure: Any submission not meeting the specific technical and runtime requirements will not be accepted. The filmmaker will be notified requesting they re-submit (if time allows). If a filmmaker is unable to achieve the technical and runtime requirements, your film will not be accepted and your submission fee will be refunded.
SUBMISSION FORM WILL BE AVAILABLE AT 12:00AM AUGUST 1st 2025