# Heartland Film High School Film Competition

National short-film competition for students ages 14-19 inside Indy Shorts, Heartland Film's Academy Award-qualifying festival in Indianapolis. Finalists screen on the big screen and compete for named cash awards.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | Heartland Film |
| Category | arts |
| Cost | Not listed |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 |
| Format | Hybrid (in person + online) |
| Location | Indianapolis, IN |
| Apply | https://heartlandfilm.org/submit |

## About this program

# Heartland Film High School Film Competition

Heartland Film, the Indianapolis nonprofit behind the Heartland International Film Festival, runs a High School Film Competition inside Indy Shorts International Film Festival - an Academy Award-qualifying short film festival held each July. Since 2010 the competition has encouraged tomorrow's filmmakers to push their art to the next level, with finalist films screened theatrically in Indianapolis and eligible for named cash awards.

## What You'll Do

- Submit a short film you completed while age 14-19, before entering your first year of university
- Compete in the High School Film Competition category (Indiana students are also eligible for the Indiana Spotlight High School award)
- Attend Indy Shorts screenings, where the festival presents more than $35,000 in cash prizes across categories
- Vie for the $2,500 Summer White Lynch Memorial Award and the $1,500 Indiana Spotlight Award

## Who Should Apply

Student filmmakers ages 14-19 anywhere in the US working in narrative, documentary, or animation. Films must be completed before your first year of university. Submissions for Indy Shorts 2027 open in September 2026 through FilmFreeway, with discounted submission fees for students; deadlines fall in the winter and spring before the July festival.

## Outcomes

Finalists earn a theatrical screening credit at a BAFTA-, GOYA-, and Academy Award-qualifying festival - one of the strongest lines a high school filmmaker can put on a film school application - plus cash awards for the top films. Winning student work screens alongside professional shorts competing for Oscar qualification.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is eligible for Heartland Film High School Film Competition?

Heartland Film High School Film Competition is open to high school students in grades 9–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Heartland Film High School Film Competition online or in person?

Heartland Film High School Film Competition is a hybrid program with both online and in-person components (in-person portions in Indianapolis, IN).

### How do I apply to Heartland Film High School Film Competition?

Apply directly through Heartland Film's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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