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Two Minutes of Terror

City of Richmond Youth Team - Youth Film Contest

YOUTH FILM CONTEST - 2 MINUTES OF TERROR FILM CONTEST

 

Summary:

The Richmond Youth Media Program (RYMP) and City of Richmond’s Youth Team are hosting a Youth Short Film Contest - Horror edition!!!

 

The contest is open to youth (ages 13-24) with the goal of coming together to create a scary short film in 2 minutes or less. Youth are encouraged to connect with friends, classmates, siblings etc. to create an original short film that will scare, shock or thrill viewers. 

 

Submissions will be judged and awarded based on the following criteria: 

  • Scariest Film

  • Best Cinematography

  • Best Performance

  • Best Screenwriting and,

  • People’s Choice. 

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For more information on the rubric for these categories, visit our page

 

Film submissions will be posted on the City of Richmond Youth Instagram for youth to vote on for the People’s Choice award. The other film categories will be reviewed by a panel of judges.

 

There will be a public screening and award ceremony for the film submissions on October 30, 2026 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Theatre Under the Stairs at the Richmond Cultural Centre (7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC). 

 

As a lead-up to the submission deadline, youth will have the opportunity to gain feedback from Media Lab staff and even have the opportunity to hear from local filmmakers or participate in small workshops during our RYMP drop-ins. 

For a complete schedule, visit: canva.link/rympcalendar 

 

Key Dates:

Saturday, September 12

Contest launches

 

TBD

Optional Workshop: low-budget films

 

Monday, October 19

Submission deadline (11:59PM)

 

October 20 to 27

Adjudicating Period - Community Jurors

 

Friday, October 30

Winners announced. Screenings and awards ceremony in Theatre Under the Stairs (7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC)

 

Rules:

  • Length: Your film must be 2 minutes or less

  • Must include a title and a plot or storyline.

  • Consider your characters, the setting and location

  • What’s the story? 

  • Ex. working late one night and the power goes out. Suddenly, you hear a mysterious voice coming from the other room. You go investigate and… 

  • What are the scary elements of your film? Is it a vengeful ghost? A monster or alien? Escaped prisoner on the loose? 

  • Will this take place after hours at school? Childhood bedroom? An old, abandoned warehouse or hotel? Power outage at the library? Or is it a back alley, grocery store or hospital after dark?

  • The project can be live action or  animated but must be filmed and created by humans! No filming can be made through the use of A.I.

  • FIlm projects aim to encourage collaboration, creativity and highlight uniqueness and diversity. 

  • Film submissions should avoid explicitly violent, obscene or overtly sexual content. Youth can depict  leading to or following an incident, but should not show the explicit act itself. Films should not depict youth involved in risky, questionable or illegal or inappropriate activities, actions or behaviors

  • Use of foul, offensive, disrespectful or inappropriate language is not permitted. 

  • Submissions must be original and not contain copyrighted content.

  • Should include one or some elements of: horror, shock, disgust, fear, terror, thrill or suspense. 

  • Any actors featured in front of the camera must complete a photo waiver

  • Additional support can be provided upon request. Youth Workers are available to assist with filming, brainstorming, act as extras or for provide feedback but will not complete the project for them

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Submitting your video:

Short films can be submitted using the following mediums:

Please note, a confirmation email will be sent upon receiving film entries 

 

  • Via email to medialab@richmond.ca (Subject line: Horror Film Contest)

  • Via Google Form: 

  • In person to a RYMP Staff Member (at the Richmond Media Lab (7660 Minoru Gate) 

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Useful links and resources:

  • Richmond Media Lab: The Richmond Youth Media Program offers free drop-in from Tuesday to Saturday for youth to come and edit with our adobe suite software, or film during sessions with our stock of video and lighting equipment. 

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Website: RYMP | Richmond Media Lab

 

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