14th Annual Tree City Film Festival-50 Hour Film Challenge “Halloween Edition”

Daily Dose  |  07/27/2026 5:15 pm

The 14th annual Tree City Film Festival’s  50-hour Challenge Halloween Edition  is an exciting and intense weekend that invites teams of professional, student, non-professional, and even “armchair” filmmakers to write, shoot, edit, and premiere their own short films in just 50 hours. 

Teams start the challenge at the kickoff meeting on the evening of September 11th, where they receive a series of elements that must be incorporated into their film – things like a particular genre, prop, line of dialogue, character name, and shooting location. After the allotted 50 hours of the weekend are over and the films are accepted, they are juried by a guest panel of judges. This year’s films will have a special nod to Halloween as films will premier on Oct. 31st. 

The submitted films will premiere at the October 31st Tree City Film Festival screening. Awards will be given for first place ($500), second place ($250), and audience choice ($100).

Registration for participating teams is open until September 11th at 6 p.m. Standard team registration for a multi-person team is $25 and student teams may enter for $20. 

Curious as to what types of films are made in a fast and furious weekend of fun? Watch an original film made in the first year of the festival  here. You can also find other films from past years at this link.

More detailed information about The Tree City Film Festival’s 50-Hour Challenge and the rules and regulations will be posted to the website and shared with participants as it is available. Contact us with questions at [email protected] or leave a message at 419-517-0118.

Sylvania Arts is a non-profit organization directed by a volunteer Board of Trustees and an executive director. Our programs are funded in part by the City of Sylvania, Sylvania Township, the Ohio Arts Council and private donations.