An international short film festival for student filmmakers (ages 11–18), Rough Cut celebrates creativity, storytelling, and cinematic craft across all genres.
Since its launch in 2010, the festival has showcased emerging talent from around the world. Many past participants have gone on to pursue film studies and careers in the industry.
Rough Cut 2026
Submission Deadline: Sunday, April 12, 2026
Festival Screening: Monday, April 27, 2026
Selected films will be screened in the auditorium at the Lycée Français de New York. Non-selected films will be published on our YouTube channel.
'Pearl Boy' (2025) by Roberto Premutico
Rough Cut – Main Competition
Eligibility:
- Students ages 11–18
- Films must be written, filmed, and produced by students
Requirements:
- Maximum length: 10 minutes
- School-appropriate subject matter
- Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles
Stand Off (2025) by Sam Lellouche and Nathan Hickox
Short Cut - The 60-second Challenge
Short on time? Take the Short Cut to Rough Cut.
For students (and teachers!) who love filmmaking but want a fast creative challenge, create a 30-second to 1-minute short film incorporating:
- Shot reverse shot
- Lockers
- A secret
Ready to Submit?
Submit your Rough Cut or Short Cut film by Sunday, April 12, 2026.
Past Winners
2025
2024
2023
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