NC Thespian Filmworks is a weeklong film challenge designed for middle and high school students in NC. Students will have a week to plan, write, shoot, edit, and digitally submit a film for consideration. -You will receive an email at kickoff containing genres to choose from, a prop/object to include in the film, and a line of dialogue that MUST be included in your film.

​​The 2025 kickoff date will be Monday, October 27, 2025 at 9 am. Films will need to be submitted by the following Monday, November 3, 2025, at 11:59 pm to be considered for awards. **You MUST be Registered per instructions HERE to be fully registered!! Please read all instructions carefully!**

There will be a public screening once all films have been adjudicated. Tickets will be available for the general public at http://ncthespians.booktix.com/​ 

All films submitted that follow all competition guidelines will be featured in the public screening. Late films may not be eligible for awards. Films will not be accepted the Tuesday following the deadline. 

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Thank you to our 2024 sponsor 
Real to Reel International Film  Festival

Registration Info​

  • There is a registration fee of $25 per team.
  • Each school can register up to 5 teams, 4 members per team.
  • ​​Teams must be registered by October 24, 2025 in order to receive the kickoff email!
  • Registration open Sept. 21
  • To pay by credit card, click the link above!
  • Checks can be made out to NCEdTA (NC Thespians) & sent to 1923 Haven Road, Greensboro, NC 27410

Rules and Regulations
​
​....The who, the what and the how......

​​Who is Eligible to Participate?
  • NC Students in Grades 6-12
  • Schools must have an active International Thespian Troupe (ITS)
  • Adults (18+ and no longer in high school) may participate as actors. They may also participate in minor technical capacities, but may NOT participate in a major creative role (such as, but not limited to, directing, cinematographer, editing, sound design, and music composition), nor hold a position as part of the creative team.
How many students can participate?
  • Up to four (4) students can be a part of the Creative Team per film submitted
  • Up to five (5) films can be submitted per school
  • There is no limit to how many students can be a part of the film with regards to acting or other technical help. Only FOUR (4) can be listed as part of the Creative Team or Team Leaders.
  • ​PLEASE READ GUIDE FOR FULL RULES!
 Film Specifications
  • No longer than FIVE (5) minutes in length.
    • The storyline must conclude itself inside this 5 minute time limit.
  • ONE (1) additional minute for End Credits
    • The film MUST have credits
    • Any credits at the beginning of the film will count toward the 5 minute time limit for the body of the film
    • Once the end credits begin to roll, any additional footage during/after the credits, such as an end or post credit scene, cannot last longer than the allotted 1 minute for credits, no matter how short the original film was. If your film is 4 minutes, you do NOT get an extra minute toward credits. The reverse is also true. If your credits are only 30 seconds long, you do NOT get to add 30 seconds to the body of the film
  • Somewhere in the credits the following line must appear: “This film was made for NC Thespian Filmworks 2025.”​
  • Film must contain all three prescribed elements sent out via email (genre, prop/object, line of dialogue exactly as given).​
  • Payment and registration must be completed by the due date in order to participate.
  • Failure to follow any of the guidelines will result in disqualification and the film may not be screened. 
SUBMITTING 
​PLEASE REGISTER FIRST! (SEE ABOVE)
  • PLEASE READ GUIDE FOR FULL RULES!
  • Films first need to be uploaded to YouTube. Link needs to be unlisted, not private. 
  • Once uploaded to YouTube, the STUDENT will need to submit the film via FilmFreeway following these steps: 
  1. Create an account on FilmFreeway (www.filmfreeway.com). It is free. We suggest whoever is submitting the film create an account with FilmFreeway ahead of time as the process of submitting a film can sometimes take a while.
  2. Upload the film from YouTube to the created account in FilmFreeway.
  3. THEN submit the film to the NC Thespians Filmwork Festival via FilmFreeway platform. This link will take you directly to the festival page: https://filmfreeway.com/NCFilmworks . 
  • PLEASE NOTE: Uploading the film to your account is only the FIRST step. You must then submit it to the festival following the above guidelines, including uploading to YouTube!
​
Required Paperwork
cast-and-crew-release-agreementamateurfilm.doc
File Size: 35 kb
File Type: doc
Download File
location-recording-permission-form.pdf
File Size: 47 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
music-release-form.pdf
File Size: 234 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
​Content Specifications
  • Music used must be in public domain, OR must be original to the film, OR you can show you have obtained permission from the copyright holder. You MUST include proper credits in your film for any and all music used.
  • No copyrighted or trademarked materials infringement (including, but not limited to, books, posters, company names and logos) without obtaining written permission or use under Fair Use law.   (Pro tip: disguise, hide, turn logos around, or tape over.)
  • The screenplay and footage must be original to this program. You may NOT take from previously written screenplays or previously made films.
  • Film must not contain graphic content or language. No nudity is allowed. The film should follow the same conduct outlines allowed by your school. Troupe directors are responsible for making sure that the content of the films follows the guidelines of their schools.
  • PLEASE READ GUIDE FOR FULL RULES!