Digital Film Festival

September 15 - February 1

Nanjing International School

Theme: Beyond Words

The Digital Film Festival invites filmmakers from ACAMIS member schools to write, produce, film, edit, and submit original short films. It’s a platform for young filmmakers to be creative, demonstrate cinematic skills and knowledge, and share their work with teachers and students across our community.

A film can make us understand a character through a look, create tension through a sound, reveal a secret through an object, or transport us somewhere with a single image.
This year, explore the unique language of film. Tell your story through images, sound, dialogue, movement, performance, editing, light, and composition. Discover how all these elements can work together to create meaning, emotion, and story.
Dialogue is absolutely welcome. Words are an important part of filmmaking—but film gives us so much more to work with.
What can you create when you go beyond words?

Event Information

Key Details

Who can enter: Students from ACAMIS member schools
Format/genre: Any film type (animation, documentary, experimental)
Runtime: 1–6 minutes recommended.
Submission deadline: February 1st. 2027

How to Submit

Please name the video file as SchoolName_DirectorFullName_DirectorGradeLevel_NameoftheFilm, e.g.NIS_MandyLee_G10_TheMysteryBox
Prepare your crew list and story synopsis (if any)
Ask a teacher to submit your film here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/9711EDy0uw

Technical Guidelines (recommended)

File: MP4 or MOV files with the highest available resolution (HD/2K/4K)
Include English subtitles if any dialogue is not in English (subtitles are recommended for English-speaking movies as well)
Credit all music, images, and third-party assets;
MUST USE royalty-free or original music.
Projects must be student-led

Festival Awards

Selection & Recognition

Certificates and special mentions may recognize standout achievements (e.g., Storytelling, Cinematography, Editing, Sound, Animation, etc.).

Ethical Guidelines

Films must reflect ethical and responsible creative practice. Student work submitted to the Film Festival must not:

Cause damage to the environment or involve harmful treatment of animals.
Glamorize or promote the use of drugs or other harmful substances.
Address sensitive or potentially harmful subjects in an inappropriate or exploitative manner.
Promote hatred, discrimination, intolerance, or prejudice.
Include excessive, gratuitous, or glorified violence.
Depict or reference explicit sexual activity.
Contain profanity, offensive language, or slurs.

Questions? Contact Mandy Bueschlen Li at mandybueschlen@nanjing-school.com

Digital Film Festival - NIS 2017