• Film Prize Junior is open to all 5th–12th grade students in Louisiana. Students may participate through their school or a qualifying community organization.
• Each entry must be registered by a Teacher Producer — an adult who manages communication and supports the student team. This is usually a teacher, but can also be a librarian, nonprofit staff member, or other adult affiliated with the organization.
• Each School or Community Organization may submit up to six (6) Project Proposals for feedback, but only four (4) Final Films may be submitted to the Festival. The additional proposals allow flexibility in case some projects are not submitted for any reason.
• Community organizations may submit up to six (6) Project Proposals and four (4) Final Films, just like schools. Each project must list a beneficiary school for records and awards, but these films do not count toward that school’s four-film limit.
• Schools and organizations must sign and return an “Organization Agreement.” By signing, the organization confirms that they have distributed Parental Consent forms to students’ guardians, which include a liability waiver and permission for photo and video use. (Teachers should retain signed parental consent forms through the end of the school year).
• Students may collaborate across schools or organizations, but one official school or organization must be designated per project for awards and equipment grants.

Films must be student-led and student-created. Adults may teach, coach, and supervise, but they may not write, film, edit, or perform without active student collaboration.

Each film project will declare the following:

Division

• Middle School (grades 5–8)
• High School (grades 9–12)

Technique

• Live-Action – 3 to 8 minutes – Narrative or documentary using real-world footage and actors.
• Animation – 1 to 5 minutes – Includes stop-motion, 2D/3D, or CGI. Animation must appear in at least 50% of the film and be created by students—stock assets and third-party renders are not allowed unless with documented permission. Visual effects (VFX) alone do not count as animation.

Genre (Choose One)

• Comedy – Fiction using humor, satire, or exaggeration to entertain. 
• Drama – Fiction focused on emotional or character-driven conflict. 
• Sci-Fi/Fantasy – Fiction rooted in science, myth, or imagined worlds. 
• Thriller – Fiction built on suspense, tension, or mystery. 
• Documentary – Nonfiction storytelling based on facts, interviews, and research.

Note: All genre and technique selections can be updated before the Final Cut and Press Kit submission deadline. Some films are a blend of genres (ie thriller/comedy, scifi/drama). In such cases, schools must choose the category in which they want their film entered. Film Prize Junior reserves the right to reassign categories when appropriate.

To be eligible for festival screening and awards, all films must follow these content and safety standards. Films that do not meet these expectations may not be accepted for the festival.

General Standards

• Submissions must be appropriate for a school-based, all-ages audience.
• Content may not include profanity, hate speech, explicit material, illegal or unsafe stunts, or realistic depictions of violence or harm.
• Sensitive topics (e.g., mental health, addiction) may be explored with care, clarity of purpose, and a relatable resolution in a positive light.
• Minor, non-graphic portrayals of injury (e.g., a character with bruises or bandages) may be allowed if shown without violence on screen and must be approved during Project Proposal review.
• Props that resemble weapons may be used if they present no real danger and are clearly fake; usage must be submitted and approved during Project Proposal review and later documented through production.

Set Safety & Legal Compliance

All productions must follow local laws and prioritize safety. Any actions or props that could cause harm, break laws, or require professional oversight must be avoided unless properly supervised and approved during Project Proposal review. Failure to disclose stunts or prop use during Project Proposal submission may result in disqualification.

• Genre-specific allowances may apply with prior approval:
• Comedy – Light stunts, fantasy props, and limited prop weapons may be allowed.
• Drama – Realistic violence, gore, and threatening weapons are not permitted.
• Sci-Fi/Fantasy – Stylized action, fantasy props, and basic VFX may be approved.
• Thriller – Realistic violence, gore, and threatening weapons are not permitted.

• Prohibited Real Objects: Real weapons or dangerous tools (e.g., kitchen knives, machetes, axes, pitchforks, etc.) are not permitted. Only props that clearly pose no threat will be considered.
  Examples of Violation:
  – Using a real kitchen knife for any reason
  – Featuring a working lighter or torch on set without prior authorization
  Consequence: Failure to declare and receive pre-approval for such props may result in disqualification, even if the film is otherwise compliant.

• Prohibited Acts: Submissions may not include illegal activity, unsafe stunts, or dangerous effects—such as high-speed driving, simulated drowning, jumping from or balancing from dangerous heights, or physical altercations—unless staged safely under professional guidance and with prior approval.
• Vehicle & Street Filming: No filming on active streets or involving moving vehicles unless in a fully controlled environment. No scenes of texting while driving will be permitted.
• Extreme Sports & Events: Activities with inherent risk (e.g., organized sports or extreme sports) must be filmed under trained supervision and with location details provided in the Project Proposal.

Media and Copyright

• All music, images, titles, footage, and media used in your film must be original or properly licensed.
• Student filmmakers may not use AI to generate screenplays, story content, video or performances. However, AI-generated assets such as background art, music, or props may be used in final submissions, as long as they do not replace student-driven creative work (e.g., writing, directing, animation, generative, or performance).
• All third-party media must be properly licensed or in the public domain.
• Proof of permission must be uploaded for any licensed music, images, or footage used. 

To ensure consistency across all student submissions and compatibility with festival screenings, all films must adhere to the following requirements and utilize the Film Prize Junior Portal. Submissions that do not meet these standards may be rejected or returned for correction.

Submitting Films Through the Portal 

• All film submissions must be made through the Film Prize Junior Portal. Teacher Producers will enroll their school, register student projects, and guide students through the submission of all required materials, including screenplays, outlines, storyboards, and final cuts.
• Project proposals are reviewed and approved within the portal, and feedback will be provided by FPJR staff. A project must receive screenplay, outline, or storyboard approval before a final film can be submitted.
• Final films will only be accepted through the portal. Submissions sent by email, file-sharing links, flash drives, or other methods will not be accepted unless requested by the FPJR staff.

Project Proposal Submission Process 

All student films must receive approval before filming. This helps ensure the project aligns with FPJR rules and guidelines and that safety and appropriateness are maintained. Schools and Organizations may submit up to six (6) Project Proposal for review, but only four (4) Final Films will be accepted to the festival. 

Project Proposal Format Types

• Narrative Screenplay: Must include all dialogue and significant on-screen actions. With a properly formatted script, a page equals about a minute of film. It is not recommended to have more than 10 pages in your screenplay.
• Documentary Outline: Must include a summary paragraph explaining the documentary’s purpose, a list of planned locations, proposed interview subjects, and sources of information. 
• Animation Storyboard:  Must submit a storyboard along with an outline or screenplay.

Templates and examples of previous FPJR submissions are available on the FPJR Learning Management System.

Each Project Proposal must also include the following information:

• The project’s Division (Middle or High), Genre (Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, and Documentary), and Technique (Live-Action, Animation)
• Answers to logistical pre-production questions.

Additional Requirements and Allowances

All props that resemble weapons, use fire or could pose a safety hazard must be declared in the Project Proposal and approved in writing by the Film Prize Junior team before production begins.

• Photo Documentation Required: For any prop resembling a weapon, filmmakers must upload a photo and description to the portal for review.
• Supervision Required: Students must be guided by a responsible adult or mentor during any potentially hazardous scenes. Any scene involving vehicles, physical activity, or public spaces should be carefully planned and chaperoned. Documentation may be requested.

Project Proposal Review and Feedback

The Film Prize Junior Staff will review your Project Proposal for the following:

• Formatting & Clarity – How does the formatting communicate plans for production to its film crew?
• Narrative & Creativity – How do the creativity and structure of the story engage the audience?
• Characters & Dialogue – How do the characters or dialogue support the narrative?
• Content and Theme – How closely does the screenplay adhere to the Content Guidelines?
• Scope of Production – How does this screenplay make it easy for filmmakers to produce the film?

Feedback will be provided via the Film Prize Junior Portal and emailed to the Teacher Producer. Revisions can be made and resubmitted until final approval is granted or the deadline. 

Late Submission Policy for Project Proposals

• Project Proposal submitted after January 12, 2026 will not be accepted and will not be considered for the festival.
• Project Proposal approval must be granted before filming begins. 

Press Kit Requirement

Along with your Final Film, a Press Kit must be included to be eligible for screening in the Film Prize Junior Portal:

• Logline: 50 words or fewer (How to make a Logline)
• Full Credits (including student crew and Teacher Producer)
• Filmmaker Interview Questions 
• Movie Poster: 11”x17”, vertical (portrait), 5MB or less, JPG or PNG (example)
• Behind-the-Scenes Photos: 3 total, 5MB each or less, JPG or PNG (BTS Examples)

Total Runtime (TRT), Title, & Credit Requirements

• Live-Action Films: 3–8 minutes (not including end credits)
• Animated Films: 1–5 minutes (not including end credits)
• Title & School Name: Must appear on screen within the first 60 seconds
• Opening Credits: Optional (e.g., cast/crew names) and count toward total runtime
• End Credits: Required, and must be 30 seconds or less
• Bloopers: May only be included during the closing credits as long as Credits are still scrolling.

Video Specifications

• File Types Accepted: .MP4 (preferred) .MOV accepted
• Resolution: 1080p Recommended but 720p will be accepted – Do NOT submit 4K or higher resolution files.
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (widescreen format)
  • Films submitted in other ratios will be letterboxed to fit theater screens.
  • Films shot vertically (portrait orientation) will not be accepted.
• Frame Rate: 24 FPS or 30 FPS
• Maximum File Size: 4GB

No Edits Post-Submission: Once submitted, no changes may be made unless requested by FPJR staff.

Audio Standards & Subtitles

• We strongly recommend that you triple check your audio levels and that your audio is NOT limited to one channel (ie: right or left).
• If a film contains non-English dialogue, English subtitles must be embedded in the video file.
• Subtitles must be placed within the title-safe area to ensure they are visible during screenings. For a detailed explanation of “Title Safe” please click here.

File Naming Convention

All files must follow this naming format when uploaded:

• DIVISION_SchoolName_FilmTitle.mp4

Examples:
MIDDLE_RiverdaleMiddle_TheBridge.mp4
HIGH_NorthEdisonHigh_MemoryLane.mov

Disqualification Policy

A film may be disqualified for the following:

• It is submitted without Project Proposal approval
• It includes undeclared or unsafe props
• It includes copyrighted content without permission
• It includes prohibited content (e.g., profanity, realistic violence, hate speech)
• It includes AI-generated screenplays or major elements (see below)
• It is submitted by someone other than the Teacher Producer
• It misses any deadlines listed in the official timeline

Film Prize Junior has the right to disqualify approved film projects, if the final film is deemed inappropriate for the FPJR festival.