As our country prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, we invite storytellers to reflect on what it means to find joy and success as a Black boy in America, past, present, and future. This contest invites students to share positive, inspirational, and prosocial stories that highlight the creativity, leadership, and success of Black boys in America.
Solutions Through Film was originally conceived in 2002 as a Men of Strength Club community service project to honor the traditions of the African-American experience through activism, leadership, and philanthropy. The film festival has traditionally been a place where audiences have discussions, ask serious questions, and challenge themselves through youth-led workshops on an assortment of featured films.
This year, the festival is calling for film submissions from middle and high school students in the Washington, DC area that highlight the best of the best and students will be awarded for their achievements in each of the five (5) categories. Submission is FREE!
Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your talent, creativity, and truth. Your story matters!
Video Submission Categories:
Animation: A film that creates the illusion of movement by rapidly displaying a sequence of 2D or 3D images.
Documentary: A factual film that explores real people, events, or issues without fictional elements.
Experimental: A film that uses unconventional techniques to challenge traditional storytelling and visual style.
Music Video: A short film that visually represents and accompanies an original song.
Narrative Short: A live-action film that tells a fictional story within a short timeframe.
Submission Rules:
Who Can Participate
Open exclusively to current middle and high school students
Film Requirements
Films must be between 3–5 minutes, including credits
Must be appropriate for a general audience
Must align with the festival theme
Accepted file formats: MP4 or MOV
How to Submit
Access Media Release Form HERE
Fill out Media Release Form to send in virtually. (PDF Documents Preferred)
Digital Media Release Forms will be uploaded to our submission portal, access HERE
Submit your film to: Black Boy Film Festival
Include your name, school, and film title
Add a brief 1–2 sentence description of your film
Submissions are free!
Categories
Each film must be submitted to only one category
Multiple submissions are allowed, but not within the same category
Each category winner will receive a $100 prize scholarship
Additional Requirements
A signed media/film release form is required
Films may be used for promotional purposes, but you retain full copyright
Recognition
Selected films will be showcased
Top creators will be recognized in each category