North Texas High School Theatre & Film Festival
North Texas Theatre & Film Festival
A high school theatre and film competition celebrating the next generation of storytellers across North Texas.
Festival Overview
The North Texas Theatre & Film Festival invites high school theatre and film programs to submit school-produced work for festival consideration, awards recognition, and a live finalist showcase.
Finalist Showcase
Finalists will be invited to the live festival event on Saturday, May 16 for select screenings, performances, audience engagement, and the festival awards ceremony.
Who Can Enter
Open to public, charter, and private high schools across North Texas, including Prosper, McKinney, Allen, Celina, Frisco, Plano, Richardson, Southlake, Melissa, Anna, Van Alstyne, Denton, and surrounding communities.
Built for both stage and screen.
Short Film
High school students may submit original or school-produced short films for judging based on story, acting, direction, cinematography, editing, and creative impact.
- Student-produced short film submission
- Judged by the official festival rubric
- Eligible for Grand Prize and Runner-Up awards
One-Act Stage Play
Theatre programs may submit recorded one-act stage productions for judging based on story, acting, direction, technical execution, and overall audience impact.
- Recorded one-act stage performance
- Judged by the official festival rubric
- Eligible for Grand Prize and Runner-Up awards
$5,000 in festival awards
A simple path from submission to selection.
Submit by April 22
Schools submit a recorded short film or one-act stage production through the official festival entry form. Schools may submit in both categories.
Festival judging
A panel of judges reviews submissions using the official North Texas Theater & Film Festival rubric.
Finalist showcase and awards
Selected finalists are invited to the live festival event on Saturday, May 16 for screenings, performances, audience voting, and awards recognition.
Open to high school programs across North Texas.
Public, charter, and private high schools with active theatre, film, or performing arts programs are invited to enter. Schools may submit in both the Short Film and One-Act Stage Play categories.
Ready to represent your school?
Complete the official submission form and upload your short film or one-act stage production by April 22. Schools may submit in both categories. Finalists will receive invitations to the festival showcase and awards ceremony on Saturday, May 16.