Festival Screening: May 21, 2026 | Time: 5:00 PM
FUSD Film Festival 2026
Join us for the FUSD Film Festival 2026 on Thursday, May 21, 2026, beginning at 5:00 PM in Niles Plaza. Student film screenings will officially begin at 5:30 PM across multiple locations in Niles. The following locations will be showcasing films from the selected themes:
Niles Elementary School
- Friendship & Wellness
- Sports & Teamwork
Niles Veteran’s Hall
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Family & Culture
Niles Essanay Film Museum
- Environmental Issues
We invite students, families, staff, and community members to come celebrate the incredible storytelling, creativity, and voices of our young filmmakers. We look forward to seeing you there for an inspiring evening of film and community celebration!
OFFICIAL SUBMISSION GUIDE
This guide provides all the necessary information, deadlines, and requirements for submitting your film to the annual festival. Please read it thoroughly before completing your project.
IMPORTANT FESTIVAL DATES
Submission Deadline Was: March 1, 2026
Festival Screening: May 21, 2026 | Time: 5:00 PMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Screenings at: Essanay Film Museum | Niles Veterans Hall | Niles Elementary School
CONTENT RULES
- Your film must be school-appropriate and respectful of all ages. Please avoid inappropriate language, images, or themes.
- Your film must be 2 to 5 minutes long. Make every second count!
- Your film must relate to one of the available themes.
FILM THEMES
Your submission must be based on one of the following themes:
- Friendship and Wellness
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Family & Culture
- Sports & Teamwork
- Environmental Issues
WHO CAN SUBMIT (ELIGIBILITY)
- Eligibility:Â All Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) students in K-12th grade are eligible.
- Team Size:Â You can work solo or in a group! We recommend a maximum of 5 students per team.
- Staff Advisor: Every film needs a Staff Advisor (teacher, administrator, or other school staff member) to mentor and support your project.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONSÂ
- Format:Â Save your film as an MP4 or MOV file.
- Orientation:Â Must be filmed in landscape orientation (wider than it is tall, like a TV screen).
- Resolution:Â All videos must be submitted in HD (1920×1080) or 4K (3840×2160) resolution.
MEDIA RELEASE FORMSÂ
This is a critical requirement for every submission.
- Every student who participated in or acted in the film must have a completed Media Release Form. Your staff advisor can help you find and fill these forms out.
- FILMS WITH MISSING MEDIA RELEASE FORMS FOR ANY PARTICIPANT WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
HOW TO SUBMIT
Submission Portal: You will submit your final film files and all required signed forms through This Google Classroom | FUSD Film Festival Submission Form
Your staff advisor can assist you with the final process of uploading your forms and film to the submission portal.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Relevance to Theme | Clear connection to one of the key themes |
| Originality & Creativity | Unique storytelling, fresh perspective |
| Technical Quality | Sound, editing, visuals |
| Message & Impact | Emotional, educational, or social resonance |
| Age-Appropriate Execution | Matches the cognitive and creative abilities of the grade band |
If you have any questions, please email us at film_festival_2026@