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Lights, Camera… Beyond the Peaks Is Back in Action!

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Submissions Due May 14th

Calling all high school filmmakers! The 2023-24 Beyond the Peaks Student Film Festival is officially open for entries.

Celebrating its 5th year showcasing student creativity and talent from across the region and beyond, the festival runs through the 2023-24 school year, offering students the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of film-making while crafting films in a variety of genres. High school students in NY, VT, or QC are eligible to enter.

This year’s film entry categories include Documentary, PSA, Thriller, Narrative, and Open.

To begin the filmmaking fun, create a FREE account on Launchpad. Choose a film entry category, explore tutorial videos and activities, and view step-by-step instructions on how to successfully submit your completed film entries.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to share your talent. Submissions are due by May 14th with winners announced at an end-of-school year Red Carpet Showcase in June. The top three winners will receive a cash prize and video supplies!

Keep up-to-date with information on upcoming filmmaking workshops for students, resources for educators, and more with our Beyond the Peaks mailing list.

How to Submit Student Films

High school students, grades 9-12, located in NY, VT, or QC are eligible to enter.

  1. Create a FREE account on Launchpad.
  2. Review film categories and requirements.
  3. Choose which category you wish to enter.
    *Students can submit up to one film in each category
  4. Create your film, script, storyboard, and more!
  5. Upload all your project materials, including your final film, directly on Launchpad.
  6. Submit to win!

Filmmaking Tools & Resources

Looking for resources to help you create festival-worthy films? Check out our short list of editing apps and music and image libraries.

Images

Music

Editing apps

When working with music and images, always pay attention to licensing and credit requirements! Include these on screen at the same time the image or music is used, or in your film’s credits. When in doubt, ask for permission to use materials from the creator or source of the music or image.

For more classroom-ready resources, tools, and tips, check out our Storytelling and Filmmaking collection on PBS LearningMedia and the festival homepage for genre-specific category insights.

About Beyond the Peaks

The Beyond the Peaks Student Film Festival began in 2019, launched by AdkAction with Tupper Lake Central School District aiming to expand opportunities for local youth interested in digital storytelling. The festival was named for the Adirondack area students reaching “beyond the peaks.”

Mountain Lake PBS is honored to continue the tradition as the new home of the Beyond the Peaks Student Film Festival. We are excited to support filmmaking and digital storytelling—underrepresented artforms in our rural communities—while amplifying youth voices and creativity.