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Steal the Scene at This Year’s Beyond the Peaks Student Film Fest!

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by Logan Brody • Published on • Last modified on
Education

Calling all teenage filmmakers! The 2026-27 Beyond the Peaks Student Film Festival is officially open for entries.

Celebrating its 8th year showcasing student creativity and talent from across the region and beyond, the festival runs through the 2026-27 school year, offering students the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of film-making while crafting films in a variety of genres. Students ages 14-18 in New York, Vermont, and Québec are eligible to enter.

This year’s film entry categories include Documentary, Thriller, Narrative, Open, and the 60-Second Challenge. To begin the filmmaking fun, create a FREE account on Launchpad. Choose a film entry category, explore tutorial videos and activities, and view step-by-step instructions on how to successfully submit your completed film entries.

Don’t miss this incredible chance to share your talent. Submissions are due by May 13th with winners announced at an end-of-school year Red Carpet Showcase in June. The top three winners will receive a cash prize and video supplies!

Mountain Lake PBS provides free, virtual or in-person workshops year-round to support student filmmakers. With flexible scheduling and a range of topics, workshops are a great opportunity for any classroom or homeschool setting. Keep up-to-date on all our filmmaking resources for students and teachers, program deadlines, and more by subscribing to the Beyond the Peaks mailing list.

How to Submit Student Films

Students, ages 14-18, located in NY, VT, or QC are eligible to enter.

Filer image
  1. Create a FREE account on Launchpad.
     
  2. Review film categories and requirements.
     
  3. Choose which category you wish to enter.
    *Students can submit up to one film in each category
     
  4. Create your film, script, storyboard, and more!
     
  5. Upload all your project materials, including your final film, directly on Launchpad.
     
  6. Submit to win!

Filmmaking Tools & Resources

Looking for resources to help you create festival-worthy films? Check out our short list of editing apps and music and image libraries.

Images

Music

Editing Apps

When working with music and images, always pay attention to licensing and credit requirements! Include these on screen at the same time the image or music is used, or in your film’s credits. When in doubt, ask for permission to use materials from the creator or source of the music or image.

For more classroom-ready resources, tools, and tips, check out our Storytelling and Filmmaking collection on PBS LearningMedia and the festival homepage for genre-specific category insights.

Get Inspired with Past Nominated and Winning Student Films

Mountain Lake PBS
Beyond the Peaks Sizzle Reel 2026

Beyond the Peaks Student Film Festival is a celebration of young filmmakers' creativity. The festival is hosted annually by Mountain Lake PBS to expand opportunities in filmmaking and digital storytelling while creating a platform for creative expression and empowering youth voices.

For more information: https://mountainlake.org/btp

About Beyond the Peaks

The Beyond the Peaks Student Film Festival began in 2019, launched by AdkAction with Tupper Lake Central School District aiming to expand opportunities for local youth interested in digital storytelling. The festival was named for the Adirondack area students reaching “beyond the peaks.”

Mountain Lake PBS is honored to continue the tradition as the home of the Beyond the Peaks Student Film Festival, supporting filmmaking and digital storytelling—underrepresented artforms in rural communities—while amplifying youth voices and creativity.