Point Park University Presents First-Ever Steel City High School Film and Animation Festival Monday, June 9, 2025
“This is really about nurturing young filmmakers and getting them on a path toward developing into professionals. There are not a lot of opportunities for high school students to showcase their work and receive valuable feedback. We have relationships with industry professionals who are eager to help aspiring filmmakers and a world-class Playhouse in which to screen their submissions.”
Point Park University is giving aspiring high school filmmakers from 11 states an opportunity to showcase their work at the first annual Steel City High School Film and Animation Festival.
The festival, which takes place Sept. 12-13 at Point Park University's Pittsburgh Playhouse, is accepting submissions through July 15 from Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, Virginia, Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky.
“This is really about nurturing young filmmakers and getting them on a path toward developing into professionals,” said Kiesha Lalama, M.F.A., interim dean of the School of Theatre, Film and Animation and executive producer of the Pittsburgh Playhouse. “There are not a lot of opportunities for high school students to showcase their work and receive valuable feedback. We have relationships with industry professionals who are eager to help aspiring filmmakers and a world-class Playhouse in which to screen their submissions.”
The festival will include a keynote speaker, workshops and panels, film screenings and an awards ceremony, all taking place in the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
“We believe there is strong demand for this kind of festival — it’s a fantastic and accessible way to encourage young, developing artists,” said Andrew Halasz, M.F.A., chair of the Department of Film and Animation. “It’s also a unique opportunity for high school students to showcase their films to family and friends on the big screen at a venue like our Playhouse. They’ll also benefit from valuable networking and learning experiences through our panels and workshops.”
Categories include drama, comedy, dance, horror, music video, short-form social media, documentary, animation, short screenplay and special zombie short.
Awards will be given in the following categories:
- Best Animation
- Best Comedy
- Best Commercial
- Best Dance
- Best Drama
- Best Documentary
- Best Horror
- Best Music Video
- Best Short-Form Social Media
Awards include a trophy to the winner in each category, summer program scholarships to the top three in each category and university scholarships to select artists.
Online Film Submissions
Submit your film online by July 15, 2025.