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? Learn more at: FilmFreeway.com/
Film “shorts” submissions will open in September of 2025 with the focus being Great Lakes content. The deadline for submissions is December 15th, 2025.
The 14th annual Thunder Bay International Film Festival will begin on Wednesday, January 21st and end on Sunday, January 25th. The Student Shorts Competition winners will be announced at the festival on the afternoon of Saturday, January 24th. Their shorts will be played as well. We would love to have you join us live, but attendance is not required.
The Student Shorts Film Competition is support by The Sunset Project and Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
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!
2025 WINNER
As Our Tides Turn, Abigail Giroux, Maxwell English, Jasper Scott, Emma Kvart, and Remington Schneider, Interlochen Arts Academy
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