25th Annual MTSU Student Film Festival

*The information below is for archival purposes. Unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the spring 2025 edition of the festival. We plan to reevaluate the program, develop new ways to keep the festival engaging and celebratory, and relaunch at a date to be determined in the future. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to returning soon.*

MTSU’s 25th Annual Student Film Festival is here! Films will screen on April 23rd and 24th, with the awards ceremony on April 25th. All screenings begin at 6:00 p.m. in the KUC Theater. Thursday’s award ceremony will feature a special pre-show reception for attendees beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the KUC Lobby, with the show commencing at 6:00 p.m.

Who Can Submit?

Any MTSU student in good standing with the university may submit a film. However, the student who submits the film must perform a substantial role in the production of the film (i.e. director, writer, cinematographer, etc.). Alumni may not submit a film; a current student must submit.

Time Limit

S.P.A.R.E has set a time limit of 25 minutes per film. Please do not submit films over this length.

Content

A panel of members from S.P.A.R.E and/or MTSU faculty/staff will preview all films. Explicit content, including but not limited to nudity and excessive violence, will not be tolerated if shown in a way that the panel deems inappropriate. Racism, gender discrimination, and other hate speech will not be tolerated.  Submitters will be notified in advance of their selection into the festival.

Format of Film

Films must be submitted in .mp4 video format and playable on a Windows PC.

Awards

Judges will vote on categories including, but not limited to, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, and Best Documentary (if applicable). Dependent on submissions, additional categories may be added for consideration (Best Sound, Best Makeup, Best Costume, etc.).

Awards will be given on Friday, April 25th, at 6:00 p.m. in the KUC Theater, with a special pre-show reception beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Rules for Submission

All films may be submitted via Film Freeway and are limited to 25 minutes in length. Film production must include at least one current Middle Tennessee State University student enrolled in courses during the semester of the festival. Production role must be deemed significant (i.e. a production with the only MTSU student being an extra will not be permitted). Film must have been produced in 2024 or 2025 and may not be a resubmission from last year’s festival.

Please name your file as such: (LastName)(FirstName)(Title).(ext)
Example: TorrenceJackShining.mp4

Submissions are due Sunday, March 23, 2025! All films will be assessed for content and judged for entry into the festival. Submitters will be notified by March 29, 2025, of their selection.