SUBMIT YOUR STUDENT SHORT HERE
Each year, the Student Shorts Film Competition is an exciting part of Thunder Bay International Film Festival!
Middle and High School students (6th-12th grade) are eligible to enter individually or as a team, and there is NO entry fee for the competition.
Interested in submitting a film?
Film “shorts” submissions will open in September of 2024 with the focus being Great Lakes content. The deadline for submissions is December 20th, 2024.
More information on rules and judging guidelines below.
The 13th annual Thunder Bay International Film Festival will begin on Wednesday, January 22nd and end on Sunday, January 26th. The Student Shorts Competition winners will be announced at the festival on the afternoon of Saturday, January 25th. Their shorts will be played as well. We would love to have you join us live, but attendance is not required.
Interested in seeing more of this year’s film festival? You can see a schedule of events on the film festival page.
JUDGING & PRIZES
All submissions will be judged by a jury of professional filmmakers and Great Lakes conservationists. Judging will be completed a week before the competition and the winners will be announced on Saturday as part of the Film Festival. A group of selected student films will be shown on the big screen, including the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. There will also be a quick vote after the viewing of films to determine a People’s Choice Award!
Cash prizes will be awarded to all winners, thanks to sponsorship from the Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
It is free to attend the Student Shorts Competition program during the Film Festival.
Competition Winners
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR FILMMAKERS AND WINNING FILMS!
2024 WINNER
Illusion, Aliviah Chisholm, Harbor Springs High School
2022 WINNER
2038, William Shultz and Nick Lusardi, Alpena High School
2021 WINNER
Mermaids Specifically, Nick Lusardi, Alpena High School
2020 WINNER
His Boots Are Empty, Nick Lusardi, Alpena High School
2019 WINNER
Exploration is Essential, Akia Rutherford, Rogers City High School
2018 WINNER
Holly and Jack In: Sanctuaries Are, Jack MacDonald, Alpena High School
2017 WINNER
#BiodiversityIs Unity, DyShauna Rutherford, Rogers City High School
2016 WINNER
Aquanauts, Jake Chapman, William “Sam” Nichols, and Kelly Cool, Stockbridge High School
Quote from the teacher of the 2024 Winner:
“Thank you for hosting such a wonderful event and experience for the youth of Northern (and all) Michigan. We’ve already adjusted our fall sequence in our AEVE class and will be sure to promote the festival with ample time for more students to participate [next year].
I also wanted to reach out regarding the judging sheets and wanted to praise you for a wonderful teaching tool. As a former band director and going to many band festivals and judging competitions I’m aware it can be hard to find a good balance of kindness and constructive criticism. I feel you have achieved this and wouldn’t change a thing.” – Jason Byma, Harbor Springs High School
COMPETITION GUIDELINES
Subject matter should focus on the Great Lakes and should explore how you experience the world around you.
All film genres will be accepted.
No explicit content. Films may be disqualified at the discretion of the judges.
We encourage creativity with all film entries!
RULES & ELIGIBILITY
Entries will be accepted from all students 6 – 12th. Entry is not exclusive to school programs.
Film submissions must be three (3) minutes or less in length (including credits).
Films must be produced and made in entirety by student(s) or student teams, but entrants may have an adult mentor.
All audio/video/graphic content must be original, copyright free or have written permission, and be properly documented.
Video creation tools will be allowed for production, with documented use of such tools.
Final submissions should either be in .MOV, .MP4, or .M4V formats (1080p Widescreen preferred) and must include a completed student submission form.
The Thunder Bay International Film Festival (TBIFF) is an annual celebration of ocean and Great Lakes-inspired films produced in partnership with the International Ocean Film Festival.
Submissions are DUE: December 20th, date TBA; if you have questions email daniel.moffatt@noaa.gov or call 989.590.1297
2025 Student Short Competition Judging Rubric