Awards Gala
Celebrate the end of RUSH with an epic Closing Night Gala. The night kicks off with our official awards presentation recognizing standout films, performances, and creative achievements from across the festival. Then we turn down the lights and turn up the music for a post-awards after party. Come hang, dance, and toast to a weekend of incredible storytelling.
Lunch & Laugh
Featuring performances by local favourites David Green, Allie Moore and Jordan Trafford the afternoon kicks off with standup comedy from some of Niagara's best comics. Between the laughs, we’ll be dimming the lights to screen some fantastic, crowd-pleasing comedic short films.
Noir & Nightcaps
Our Saturday After Dark screenings wrap up with Noir & Nightcaps in the speakeasy. This is a late-night social geared toward genre filmmakers, writers, and fans of late-night cinema to hang out, grab a drink, and connect on future projects.
FADE TO: The After Party
To celebrate the Niagara homecoming premiere of A Farewell To Youth, we’re hosting Fade To: The Wrap Party back at the speakeasy. This is a relaxed, wrap-party-style gathering meant for local filmmakers, regional crew, and creatives to connect, talk shop, and wind down after the screening.
The B-Roll Social
Immediately after the world premiere of What We Had Was Noise, we’re heading back to the Speakeasy Cinema at Wandering Spirits for the B-Roll Social. It’s a casual hangout where you can grab a drink, meet the cast and crew, and chat with other filmmakers and attendees without the formal premiere pressure.
Ultimate Short Film Challenge
The Ultimate Short Film Challenge is a filmmaking competition where teams 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.
It's a Fundraiser Not a Phase
DOORS OPEN AT 6PM. SHOW STARTS AT 7PM.
THIS IS A LICENSED EVENT/VENUE
Break out the skinny jeans, stud belts, band tees, and eyeliner — this is a full-on Y2K pop-punk throwback night in support of the feature film What We Had Was Noise, with special guests MAGE.
WHAT WE DO!
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![Poster for the RUSH Youth Film Festival featuring a red background, film strip border, and white text.]()
RUSH YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL
RUSH is a multi-day takeover of the Niagara Region — packed with short film screenings, panels, live feedback sessions, special events, and moments that only happen when filmmakers and audiences share the same room.
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![Poster for the horror film 'RUSH', presented by Jarico Films, celebrating an after-dark festival. The background features a red and black grungy, splattered design.]()
RUSH AFTER DARK FILM FESTIVAL
RUSH After Dark is a, celebration of horror, grindhouse, and genre films that live on the edge of mainstream cinema.
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![A graphic promoting the 'RUSH' 48-hour film challenge presented by Jarico Films for Youth, featuring a dark background with orange film strip borders at the top and bottom, and white text in the center.]()
ULTIMATE SHORT FILM CHALLENGE
The Ultimate Short Film Challenge is a worldwide 4 day filmmaking challenge where teams write, shoot, and edit a short film. With creative restrictions, filmmakers race the clock to submit their film before the deadline. Top films will screen at the RUSH Youth Film Festival in Niagara, Canada.
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![A film strip with black and yellow background featuring the logo for a short film titled 'Boot Camp' by Jarico Films, with a grungy, distressed style]()
SHORT FILM BOOTCAMP
With mentors by their side, participants will learn the art of storytelling, film production, and post-production, resulting in a cinematic masterpiece that's showcased at a glittering red carpet gala attended by family, friends, and the public.
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![A film strip with the title 'Pitch Night' and the text 'Jarico Films Presents.' The background is pink with black splatters.]()
pitch night
Pitch your projects to industry professionals for a chance to win a Development Assistance Package Each Pitch Night winner will advance to the year-end competition, where one filmmaker will have their film produced by Jarico Films for Youth.
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![A graphic with a filmstrip border showing the text 'Scene Study with Erica Sherwood' in bold white and turquoise letters.]()
Scene Study
Designed to give students a comprehensive introduction to the world of acting. This class covers the basics such as script analysis, character development, working with a director etc.
