The Boomtown Film Society and Lamar University Dept. of Communication & Media present

The Spindletop Student Storytellers Competition

for grade-school students of Southeast Texas!

The Boomtown Film Society and Lamar University College of Fine Arts & Communication are proud to present this annual, free-to-enter video storytelling competition that is exclusive to grade-school students in Southeast Texas. Selected films will be publicly screened during the 2027 Boomtown Film & Music Festival in Beaumont, Texas (Feb 18-21). Lamar University will recognize the winners during the festival’s awards ceremony in the historic Jefferson Theatre. The first-place filmmakers will each be awarded $1000 scholarships to the Lamar University’s Department of Communication and Media for Fall 2027. This scholarship is provided by the Lamar University College of Fine Arts & Communication.

CONTEST CATEGORIES

• NARRATIVE SHORT FILM
  The run time must be between 1 and 10 minutes, including credits. Your film may be about any subject matter and of any genre other than documentary.
• DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM
  The run time must be between 1 and 10 minutes, including credits. Your film must be a documentary, but can be about any subject matter.
• PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
  Create a PSA! The run time must be between 30 seconds and 10 minutes total. Your public service announcement must include both audio and video, and may be about any subject matter.

                             

Who is eligible to participate?
Students who are currently attending grades 6 – 12 within Jefferson, Orange, Hardin, Chambers, Liberty, Jasper, or Newton Counties, Texas.

How much does it cost to enter?
Nothing! There are no entry fees for this contest.

May students co-direct their projects?
A maximum of four students can submit each entry as a “team.”

Will there be a presentation of the entries and an awards ceremony?
Selected films will be publicly screened during the 2027 Boomtown Film & Music Festival in Beaumont, Texas (Feb 18-21). Lamar University will recognize the winners during the festival’s awards ceremony in the historic Jefferson Theatre. The first-place filmmakers will be awarded a $1000 scholarship each if they enroll as a major in the Lamar University Department of Communication and Media for Fall 2027. This scholarship is provided by the Lamar University College of Fine Arts & Communication.

How do I enter?
All contest entries will be accepted digitally. Just upload your work to our submission page at FilmFreeway.com/SpindletopStorytellers

When is the deadline?
This year’s call for entries will be open for two months from Wednesday, October 1 – Monday, January 12.

Is there a contest theme?
No, this year’s contest does not involve a theme.

Do entries need to be new?
All entries must be made during the 2026/2027 school year.

Can I use copyrighted material in my entry?
By entering this contest you’re stating that you are, or have the permission of, the owner of all materials (footage, music, etc.) that are used in your entry. Unauthorized use of copyrighted materials will negatively impact your film during judging.

Can I use content generated by artificial intelligence in my entry?
If 50% or more of an entry’s content appears to be created by generative AI then it will negatively impact your film during judging.

Are there any restrictions on subject matter?
We ask that all entries be suitable for public broadcast.

Remember: Please include complete contact information when adding your entry on FilmFreeway. Please keep your entry available for viewing on FilmFreeway at least until the date of the event.

Good Luck!

If you have any additional questions about the 2027 Spindletop Student Storytellers Competition or need further guidance, please contact Gordon S. Williams at gswilliams@lamar.edu.