creative Competitions
Entering creative competitions is a powerful way for high school students to grow as writers and storytellers. These contests challenge you to think creatively, refine your voice, and share your unique perspective with a wider audience. Beyond the chance to win awards or scholarships, they help you build confidence, receive valuable feedback, and strengthen skills that carry into college and future careers. Whether you write poetry, creative nonfiction, fiction, or journalism, competitions give your words purpose and momentum—every submission is a step forward in discovering what you can do.
CFF (Crossroads Film Festival) is seeking your creative, thoughtful, entertaining movie projects. We're looking for YOUR art, stories within and outside of Iowa. Feel free to submit any genre, any length--doc to horror, comedy to drama. And everything outside and in between! There is opportunity for not just an award, but a chance to be showcased at our two-day event. Make it fun, make it weird, make it provoking. Share your art with CFF!
Awards & Prizes
For 18 and Under (Student), and 18 and Older categories:
*Glorious stamp of you, the (possible) winner!
*Local business certificate!
Rules & Terms
• Submission period opens March 3rd, 2026 and closes October 1st, 2026.
• Entrants will be notified on or around November 1st, 2026 if their film has been selected for the festival program.
• Submissions may be shot in any film format or any video format.
• Only one title may be submitted per entry.
• Films must not have been completed before January 1, 2024.
• Film or video entries must be submitted via online at FilmFreeway. Submissions without submission via FF will not be considered without written exception from the festival.
• By submitting, you indicate that you have read, understood, and have complied with all eligibility requirements of the Crossroads Film Festival (CFF) and the categories of which you are submitting to via FilmFreeway.
For more information and to submit your film, visit Crossroads Film Festival.