5 Mistakes Student Filmmakers Make

These are the 5 most common mistakes High School student filmmakers make when they submit their short films to VFF - here's how you can avoid them.

The VFF student screening is an exciting night filled with creativity, innovation and connection. The annual event spotlights emerging young talent and inspires the next generation of filmmakers. With countless genres and diverse voices featured, your film could be next. As the deadline for submissions is quickly approaching, here are 5 mistakes students make when submitting to VFF, and how to avoid them:

1. Submitting a Film Over 10 Minutes

They’re called short films for a reason. Make sure that your film, including the credits, remains under 10 minutes. Our programming window is limited, so films under 10 minutes help us feature more young filmmakers. Think of it as your chance to show how powerful a story can be in a short runtime.

2. Including Adults in the Making of your Film

The screening is dedicated to showcasing 100% student-made films. Unless the film is a documentary about one, no adults are allowed to contribute on or off camera.

3. Not Being Currently Enrolled in an Ontario High School

To qualify, every filmmaker involved must be enrolled in an Ontario high school. We require that student ID (or current transcript if no ID is available) is provided during the submission process. 

4. Missing Subtitles

Subtitles are mandatory, regardless of the language in your film. This ensures accessibility and helps the audience follow your story clearly. Consider adding a clean, readable font that does not distract from the visuals (the submission form outlines this).

5. Overlooking Sound Quality

Even great visuals lose impact if your audio is unclear. Make sure your sound and dialogue are even and contribute to telling your story effectively. As Bernard Weiser, MPSE said during our Inspiring Future Filmmakers Seminar: “At the end of the day, it’s story, story, story -always.”

Taking these into consideration will give your story a chance to shine on the big screen. Ready to share your artistic vision? Visit our Student Submission page and download your Student Submission Form and submit by January 31, 2026.