The competition aims to discover emerging student filmmakers and provide them a platform at an international film festival.  Three filmmakers will each receive a cash prize of $2500, mentoring from an acclaimed filmmaker, and an invitation to attend the BIFF as our guest at the end of May 2026. For more info, contact the BIFF Office – kelley@biffma.org, anne@biffma.org, lauren@biffma.org

We encourage experimentation and diverse storytelling approaches, welcoming not only fiction but also documentary and poetry. We’re particularly interested in unique visual languages and fresh ways of engaging audiences. We’re eager to discover students who are curious about the medium, willing to play with it, and ready to challenge the boundaries of film.

The competition is open NOW until March 10 to all film undergraduate students CURRENTLY in a U.S. university or college.  Submissions are free of entry fees through FilmFreeway – nexGen Student Film Competition

BIFF will present the three award winners with a cash prize of $2500.  The award-winning films will be presented at the 2026 film festival held May 28 – 31 along with the filmmakers in attendance.  The competition is generously sponsored by Love Today Productions. 

Films requirements for submission:
MUST be an UNDERGRADUATE college or university student in the USA at time of submission
MUST not be longer than 12 minutes, without credits
MUST be completed by March 31, 2026
MUST be produced and directed by a student who is CURRENTLY attending an undergraduate college or university
A valid college ID WILL BE required to validate undergraduate student status for the finalists
MUST own or have cleared all rights of the submitted materials, including music