This year, we’re turning our 48HR Short Film Challenge into a 4-Day Filmmaking Sprint designed to push teams further while actually giving them the time to do their best work.
The Top 10 films will be selected to screen at the RUSH Youth Film Festival in July, where they’ll compete for awards, prizes, and major bragging rights.
thursday may 14 - sunday may 17 2026
The ultimate short Film Challenge is an adrenaline-fueled competition where teams of filmmakers race against the clock to create a short film from scratch in just four days. Whether you're a first-time filmmaker or an experienced creator, this challenge is your chance to showcase your storytelling skills and compete for awards, prizes and cash money.
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Each team will receive a set of required elements, including a genre, a character, a prop, and a line of dialogue that must be incorporated into their film.
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Teams will have exactly four days to write, shoot, edit, and submit their films by the deadline.
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All films must be submitted on time to be eligible for judging and awards.
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Top Ten films will premiere on the big screen, at the RUSH Youth Film Festival in July, followed by an awards ceremony.
how it works
Cash Prizes That
Grow With the Community
From every team’s registration, $50 goes directly into a shared cash prize pool — meaning the more teams that sign up, the bigger the prize pool gets.
New Year.
New Pressures.
Expect bigger, stranger, and more challenging creative restrictions designed to spark originality and force bold choices.
Open, Inclusive,
& international
Open worldwide, with one important rule: At least one person on your creative team or main cast must be a youth under 40.
Watch last year’s awards show.
PRODUCTION & TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
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Films must be 10 minutes or less, including credits.
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Films must be submitted in MP4/MOV, 1080p, PRORES, via [upload TBD]
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No! You can use any camera or equipment you have access to—from professional cinema cameras to smartphones. The challenge is about creativity, not gear, so use what works best for your team!
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Yes! However, all effects must be created within the 4 DAY period. No pre-made or pre-rendered VFX allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The challenge kicks off at 5PM on THURSDAY MAY 8, 2025 and all films must be submitted by 5PM on THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2026.
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While you can film anywhere IN THE WORLD, the official Kickoff Event will take place online and film screenings will take place at: FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, St. Catharines Ontario, Canada during the RUSH Youth Film Festival in July.
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Only one representative from each team is required to attend the kickoff to receive the challenge details and required elements. The Kickoff will also be live-streamed for teams that cannot attend in-person.
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Teams will receive a genre, a character, a prop, and a line of dialogue that must be incorporated into their film.
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No, you can enter as an individual or as part of a team. However, filmmaking is a collaborative effort, so we encourage forming a team to cover different roles like directing, writing, acting, and editing.
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No, but we recommend teams of 2-10 members for manageability.
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Not at all! The Ultimate Short Film Challenge welcomes filmmakers of all skill levels. Whether this is your first film or your tenth, the goal is to challenge yourself and have fun.
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No. All creative work—writing, shooting, and editing—must be done within the 4 DAY timeframe. However, you may use stock music, provided you have the proper licensing.
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No. Each team may submit one film only per challenge.
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Yes! While having your own camera and editing software is helpful, many smartphones shoot high-quality video, and there are free or low-cost editing programs available. If you need equipment, we recommend checking local film co-ops, schools, or rental houses.
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Yes. While we encourage creative freedom, films must avoid excessive violence, explicit sexual content, and hate speech. Films that violate these guidelines may be disqualified.