Lights! Camera! Action! Studio Coe's Short Film Festival Competition
Studio Coe Short-Film Festival
Calling all UW students—Studio Coe will be hosting its first ever Short-Film Festival!
Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker or simply love creating videos or animation,
this event is the perfect opportunity to share your vision with the campus community.
Open to all genres and skill levels.
Eligibility
The contest is open to all students enrolled at the University of Wyoming.
Submitting Entries
The submission deadline is 11:59pm, Friday, May 2nd, 2025.
Rules
Entries must have been created after January 1st, 2025.
Video Length: 6 minutes (maximum).
Title pages and credits should be included in your film.
Anything over 6min 20sec will be disqualified from competition but will still be shown
during screening.
Films over 10 minutes will not be accepted.
File Formats: .mov or .mp4
All entries must be student-produced and may be either a group project or individual
work.
Films may be of any genre (comedy, documentary, animation, dance, etc.).
Entries cannot contain nudity, excessive profanity or violence, nor promote hate speech,
violence, or discrimination. Films will be reviewed for content and failure to adhere
to these guidelines will result in immediate disqualification.
Films must be original, and the submitter(s) must hold all necessary rights.
All submissions must comply with U.S. copyright law and fair use principles, ensuring
that any use of copyrighted materials (e.g., music, footage, or images) serves a transformative
purpose, such as commentary, criticism, or parody, includes only what is necessary,
and provides proper attribution when applicable. Submissions not adhering to these
guidelines may be disqualified.
Filmmakers must obtain permission to use copyrighted music in their films. Filmmakers
can also use their own original music. Additionally, copyright-free, public domain,
trade-friendly or Creative Commons Licensed music can be used.
Where to Find Support?
Studio Coe (Coe Library, room 237) is a drop-in multimedia lab that offers many video
creation and editing tools that students may utilize to create their short films,
including:
Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Character Animator, iMovie, Final Cut Pro
and other video editing/animation software.
A video recording space (Coe 206) with green screen, reservable upon request.
A sound recording booth (inside Studio Coe) for voice over work, music, and/or sound
effects, reservable upon request.
Studio Coe is open:
Monday-Thursdays 10am – 7pm
Fridays 10am – 5pm
Sundays 1-5pm
Drop on by, no reservation (or experience) needed! We're happy to help!
Video Editing Free Time: April 9, April 16, April 23 and April 30 during Studio Coe's
hours of operation.
Short Film Festival Best Practices
Follow these guidelines to create a standout submission while ensuring a smooth festival
experience:
a. Develop a clear concept and script before filming.
b. Create a storyboard and shot list to stay organized during production.
c. Keep your film within the time limit specified by the festival rules.
a. Prioritize compelling characters, unique perspectives, and engaging narratives.
b. Use visual and audio elements intentionally to enhance your storytelling.
a. Use proper lighting and framing to ensure clear visuals.
b. Record clean audio by minimizing background noise and using external microphones
if possible.
c. Edit your film for smooth transitions, consistent pacing, and polished effects.
a. Use original or royalty-free music, images, and footage whenever possible.
b. If borrowing copyrighted materials under fair use, ensure it serves a transformative
purpose and is properly credited.
a. Assign clear roles to team members (e.g., director, editor, cinematographer).
b. Collaborate and communicate effectively to bring your vision to life.
a. Watch your film multiple times to check for errors in editing, sound, or visuals.
b. Export your film in the required format and resolution specified by the festival.
a. Push boundaries, experiment with techniques, and showcase your unique voice.
b. Enjoy the creative process and use this opportunity to grow as a filmmaker.
If you wish to learn more about any of the best practices listed here, please check
out Studio Coe’s Workshop Series or stop by Studio Coe to ask. We’re happy to help!
Information to Include: Please include your name, your UW email, title of film, and
a brief director’s/artist’s statement for your submission (Max 250 words).
Each filmmaker may submit one film. In the case of a group project, one filmmaker
should submit for the group.
Accepted films will be screened in the Coe Movie Room (Coe 123) during Wellness Week.
Film screening will be open to the campus community and the public
