Short film submissions by K-12 students sought for festival

The 44th annual Maine Student Film + Video Festival is accepting submissions until June 15.

All Maine students in grades K-12 are eligible to enter for free.

Films will be judged by category: Narrative, Documentary, and Creative (animated, experimental, etc.), and by age group: Grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12, according to a news release from Waterville Creates.

Students can submit their work at mainestudentfilm.org/festival.

A free-to-attend screening and awards ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, July 16, at Railroad Square Cinema, 17 Railroad Square, Waterville, during the Maine International Film Festival.

The grand prize for best film of MSFVF is a $500 award, sponsored by Maine Public.

“Young filmmakers produce some of the most inspired, genuine work we’ve seen,” said Julia Dunlavey, assistant executive director of the Maine Film Center. “Students who participate in the festival have gone on to become professional filmmakers with their work screened at the Maine International Film Festival.”