The New Hampshire Division of Film and Digital Media is accepting submissions through March 31 for the 2018 New Hampshire High School Short Film Festival. Now in its eleventh year, the Festival is a competitive showcase for the state’s youngest filmmakers and has become one of the marquee film events in the state.

Films submitted for consideration are previewed and scored by the Festival selection committee. Originality, cinematic storytelling and technical execution are the primary scoring elements. All films, regardless of type or genre, are judged on the filmmaker’s ability to effectively captivate an audience through cinematic expression.

The films with the highest scores will be screened at the annual two-hour New Hampshire High School Short Film Festival, which takes place at the Red River Theatres in Concord on May 19, 2018, beginning at noon. Festival selections will also be screened on “New Hampshire Day and Night” at the New Hampshire Film Festival in Portsmouth and at the SNOB Film Festival in Concord.

In order to be considered, films must be produced exclusively by students in grades 9-12 who are currently enrolled and attending a New Hampshire public or private high school, or who are residents of New Hampshire and enrolled in high school elsewhere. New Hampshire homeschooled students ages 14-18 are also eligible. Adult involvement in the project is limited to on-screen talent and / or serving as a faculty adviser. Films can be no longer than seven minutes, including titles and credits, and must have been produced after May 20, 2017. They do not have to have been created as part of a school project.

There is no entry fee. For the first time, Festival entries must be submitted online. For more information, visit nhstudentfilm.com.