Slick Rock Rules
Slick Rock is a student festival; only student-produced films are eligible. Students must be associated with a public, private or home school located in one of the following seven South San Joaquin Valley counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced and Tulare. Student films must be reviewed and approved by the head official of the associated school for content that is aligned with the educational morals of that school and suitable for a general public viewing audience.

Filmmaker's Code
All entries must be original, student-created films. Original work should never be a copy or remake of another film. A film's concept may be derived from discussion with instructors or non-student advisors, but beyond that point, all aspects of the filmmaking process must be performed by students who are currently enrolled at the submitting school. This work includes, but is not limited to, script writing, storyboarding, camera work, lighting, directing, sound engineering, scoring, and film editing. Non-students may be employed as actors when needed for authenticity.

Help will always be a subjective call on the instructor's part, but it must be limited to showing students how to do a task while never actually performing the task for them and offering suggestions while allowing the students to make the final decision. To preserve a level playing field for all students competing in the Slick Rock Festival, we ask all advisors to submit only those entries that truly reflect student work.

Uploading Videos
Each video must be uploaded to the Slick Rock website before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025. If technical problems occur, contact Slick Rock staff (slickrock@tcoe.org) by Friday, March 7, 2025.

These easy-to-follow guides will help you through the exporting process to ensure your video meets size limits for the submission process.

Video Limits

  • Each film team can include up to six students.
  • Videos must be uploaded as .mp4 file format only.
  • Videos must be 2GB or less.
Judging Panel
The judging panel is composed of industry professionals who have successful experiences with film production, film critique, and/or film promotion.
Film Ratings for this Festival
Because this is a family-friendly event, films must maintain a G or PG movie rating. Films must be appropriate for ALL AGES. There will be no tolerance for any film submissions that show the following: drugs (including prescription drugs), cigarettes or e-cigarettes, alcohol, knives, any weapons, violence/bodily harm, sexual content, profanity, or anything that may offend the parents of young children. Films depicting or referencing any of these items will not be allowed as well. This includes Nerf guns, cap guns, toy guns, toy swords/knives, and any other pretend or real weapons. If you have any questionable ideas, please contact Slick Rock staff and we will be happy to discuss what is appropriate or not appropriate for this festival. All submissions should impact the audience in a positive way and not glorify harmful behavior. If your film submission includes any of these items, it will be automatically disqualified.

Film Titles
When submitting your film, please be sure the title of your film is unique and not your school name, as this may lead to a prejudging bias.
High school 2021 Best of Show winning film, entitled Incursion
FAQ
Is my school a valley school?
Qualifying schools may be public or private, as long as the school (or home school) is located in one of the following seven South San Joaquin Valley counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare.

How many entries may a student submit?
Students are invited to submit videos in as many categories as they like. Please note that the school submits the film on behalf of the student. The lead school official (principal or designee) must review AND approve each submitted film for appropriate content.

My school doesn't have a film or media class. Can I still enter?
Yes. Many young people have embraced filmmaking even when their school, club, or organization does not offer a formal program. The only requirement for a student to enter is that the film must be submitted under an advisor's authority. This means you must have an adult representative (e.g., principal, teacher, counselor, etc.) from your school to be with you along the way to review the entry and make sure it is appropriate. They do not need to know anything about video production to be your advisor for this film project.

I don't know anything about filmmaking. Can I still enter?
Yes! This contest is for every middle school or high school student (with or without experience) who wants to try their hand at filmmaking. Our wide variety of categories allows students to find a topic that best suits them and allows them to be creative with their video.

What happens if my entry is longer than the specified time limit?
Films will only be judged on the portion of the film that is within the specified time limit for that category. If you are unsure of the time limit, review the list of Film Categories for the particular category you are submitting. There, you will find a link to the judging rubric for you to assess yourself.

How do I enter the contest?
Produce a film that matches a film category and have your advisor upload the film. Be sure all the rules have been followed and required forms have been completed and uploaded.

What do we do with release forms?
All release forms (Image/Voice Releases, Location Contracts, Student Video Releases, Media Releases, and Copyright Permissions) must be uploaded by March 10, 2023. Failure to include all necessary forms will result in disqualification of the film.

Do I really need to get all these forms signed?
Yes. Student filmmaking requires discipline and dedication to the craft. Students are honor-bound to acquire all necessary permissions and signatures and accept the liabilities for copyright violations. Failure to include all necessary forms will result in disqualification of the film.

As a student, how much help can I get from parents, teachers, and other adults?
Review the Slick Rock Filmmaker's Code. Outside help must be limited to showing students how to do a task while never actually performing the task for them, and offering suggestions while allowing the students to make the final decision. Only those entries that truly reflect student work and preserve the Festival as a level playing field for all students are welcome. Submissions must be the work of students, including scripts, camera work and pre/post production.

Teachers, parents and others are encouraged to be resources and may participate as actors, but the project must be student work. Students and advisors are honor-bound to disqualify or remove any entry that violates the Slick Rock Filmmaker's Code.

How do I know if I won?
Ask your advisor for updates of the Premier Cut and Nominee List. Winners of each category will be announced during the Red Carpet Awards Ceremony May 12, 2023. The video advisor will be the contact person for all entries. All updates and notifications will be e-mailed to advisors for distribution to their students.

What are the prizes?
Prizes range from "Thanks for the Entry" certificates to merchandise and scholarship money. All winning Rock films will be announced and shown on the televised Awards Program on May 12, 2023. Filmmakers of Nominated Films will receive a special gold-seal certificate. Filmmakers of winning Rock Films will receive cash or merchandise and the associated school will receive a special rock trophy.

Will you show my film on the giant 50' screen at the historic Fox Theatre?
Yes. During the Premiere Cut Screening the day of the Awards Ceremony the top films from each category will be shown.

What is a "Nominated" film and how does that compare to a "Rock" film?
From the list of Premiere Cut films, the judges will select a short list of Nominated films within each category. From the Nominated films list, judges will select the top film in each category which will be honored as a Rock film.

How much violence can my film have?
The Slick Rock Student Film Festival is a school-related contest and, as such, all videos should adhere to your school's policies, rules and guidelines. All content should be age-appropriate for the general viewing audience. Tulare County Office of Education reserves the right to eliminate inappropriate videos from the contest at their discretion. Films depicting or referencing guns, knives, bodily harm, prescription or illegal drugs, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or alcohol will not be tolerated. This includes Nerf guns, cap guns, toy guns, toy swords/knives, and any other pretend or real weapons. If you have any questionable ideas, please contact Slick Rock staff and we will be happy to discuss what is appropriate or not appropriate for this festival. All submissions should impact the audience in a positive way and not glorify harmful behavior.

ALL films must be reviewed by the school principal (or designee) to ensure the content is appropriate for a general viewing audience. In past years, principals have rightly disqualified films because they contained too much gratuitous violence, explicit adult themes or profanity. Use good judgment in planning and executing your film to avoid possible disqualification.

What about cussing? Can I use profanity in my film?
Profanity is not necessary to tell a good story. Slick Rock asks that films avoid excessive use of profanity.

Remember that ALL films must be reviewed by the school principal (or designee) to ensure the content is appropriate for a general viewing audience. In past years, principals have rightly disqualified films because they contained too much gratuitous violence, explicit adult themes or profanity.

What about adult themes like sex and drugs?
Sexual acts or drug use may NOT be explicitly shown. Remember that your film must be appropriate for school. Be responsible. Do not glorify illegal, dangerous, or potentially harmful behavior. Do not depict the acts; instead, show the origins and results of such acts. Make your film about the decisions made, the relationships gained or lost, the life opportunities won or lost because of these acts. In short, make the film about the people, not about the act.

The formula for most films focuses on why the characters are going to do what they do, the internal struggle of the decision and a resolution. Focusing on the causes and effects allows you to work with serious topics in a realistic, adult way while adhering to school standards.

Remember that ALL films must be reviewed by the school principal (or designee) to ensure the content is appropriate for a general viewing audience. In past years, principals have rightly disqualified films because they contained too much gratuitous violence, explicit adult themes, or profanity.

Where can I turn for help if I am in a crisis or concerned about a friend?
If you are experiencing an emotional crisis, are thinking about suicide, or are concerned about a friend, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline immediately: 988 or click here to Chat to Text. This is a free 24-hour hotline. You can also visit their website at https://988lifeline.org.

What if I have other questions not in this FAQ list?
E-mail your question to Slick Rock Student Film Festival staff at slickrock@tcoe.org.