Films must have a total runtime of 5 minutes or less, including credits. The $5 budget is the spirit of the challenge, not a spending cap. Films will not be disqualified for exceeding $5 or for using professional equipment, locations, software, or other resources already available to the filmmaker. However, creative problem-solving, resourcefulness, and effectively budgeting filmmaking will weigh heavily in judging. Ingenuity is the advantage, rather than a larger budget or more expensive equipment. Films must incorporate at least one of the following five elements:

-Use of the 5x5 Film Festival logo (a pentahedron), the Unlimited Studios logo (an infinity symbol), or the PrimalHouse Music logo (a Silverback Gorilla with headphones)
-Use of the number 5 in a meaningful way, whether through the story, dialogue, imagery, structure, characters, or another creative interpretation
-Use of the beach (preferably, one on the Jersey Shore)
-Use of a musical element, properly cleared if applicable (the PrimalHouse Music library is available to freely use in submissions; please see additional note on music in the Rules & Terms for important information)
-Use of a green screen element (Unlimited Studios in Long Branch, NJ, is offering their studio space at a discounted rate for participants, with complimentary inclusion of the green screen rental. For rates, availability, and additional information, please contact Jennifer Eckhoff at info@unlimitedstudiosnj.com)

 

Filmmakers are welcome to incorporate more than one element and are encouraged to make their chosen element meaningful to the story rather than simply including it.

 

There is no required genre, style, or level of filmmaking experience. Professional filmmakers, students, first-time filmmakers, actors who have always wanted to direct, and anyone else with a story to tell are welcome.

 

Please read through the entirety of the Rules & Terms for important information.

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Awards & Prizes

Each film should be submitted under the category that best represents the project:

Category 1: Documentary
Category 2: Fantasy & Science Fiction
Category 3: Music Movies & Animation
Category 4: Action, Horror, Comedy & Drama
Category 5: Experimental & Avant-Garde

One winner will be selected from each category.

 

Additional prizes may be awarded for:
Best Use of Logo
Best Use of Location
Best Use of Green Screen
Best Use of Music
Audience Choice

 

Festival organizers reserve the right to move a submission into a different category if another category is a substantially better fit.

Specific prizes will be announced at a later date.

 

Rules & Terms

​Content Guidelines

The 5x5 Film Festival welcomes mature themes, horror, violence, profanity, and challenging subject matter. However, filmmakers should keep in mind that the festival is intended for a broad community audience.

Films featuring extreme or prolonged gore, graphic body horror, explicit sexual content, sexual exploitation, or content primarily intended to shock through graphic imagery may be declined at the discretion of festival organizers.

Dark, disturbing, provocative, or unconventional storytelling is absolutely welcome. We ask filmmakers to use good judgment and remember that being disturbing and being graphic are not necessarily the same thing.

 

Artificial Intelligence

Generative AI may not be used to create substantive creative content for submitted films. This includes AI-generated video or images, dialogue, voice performances, music, scripts, characters, or other material that appears as part of the finished film.

AI-powered tools may be used for technical or post-production assistance, including color correction, noise reduction, stabilization, masking, rotoscoping, green-screen cleanup, audio cleanup, upscaling, captioning, and similar processes, provided that the tool is enhancing or processing material created by the filmmakers rather than generating the creative material itself.

Minor generative features incorporated into editing software may be permitted when used solely for cleanup or correction, such as removing an unwanted object from a shot or extending the edge of a background. They may not be used to create significant characters, performances, environments, shots, or story elements.

The basic rule: AI can help you make your work look or sound better. It cannot make the work for you.

The festival reserves the right to request information about the use of AI in a submission and to determine whether a particular use is consistent with the spirit of the 5x5 Film Festival.

 

Language & Subtitles

Films may be submitted in any language. Films containing dialogue in a language other than English must include English subtitles.

Subtitles must be clear, legible, and included in the version submitted for festival consideration and screening.

 

Rights & Permissions

Filmmakers must own or have permission to use all material contained in their submission, including footage, performances, music, photographs, artwork, logos, and other copyrighted material. The filmmaker submitting the project is responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions, releases, licenses, and clearances.

Submission of a film grants the 5x5 Film Festival, Hollywood East Media, Unlimited Studios, and PrimalHouse New Jersey permission to screen the film as part of the December 19, 2026 festival if selected.

By submitting, filmmakers also grant permission for limited excerpts, still images, the film’s title, filmmaker names, and submitted promotional materials to be used to promote the 5x5 Film Festival and its selected films. Ownership of the film remains with the filmmaker.

Films containing unlawful material or material that the festival reasonably determines cannot legally or safely be publicly exhibited may be disqualified.

 

PrimalHouse Music Library

Music from PrimalHouse Music may be used free of charge for your 5x5 Film Festival submission and screening only. This permission applies only to the 5x5 Film Festival and does not grant a general license.

To submit, screen, post, distribute, or otherwise use the film with music from PrimalHouse Music, filmmakers must license the music from PrimalHouse at the community discounted rate.

You can access the PrimalHouse Music Library at https://www.primalhousemusic.com/. You must create an account to download the music for your film. When selecting “signup,” enter “5x5 2026” in the “company” field to expedite the manual approval of your account.

A cue sheet will need to be completed for music used in the film, for which a template will be provided. The PrimalHouse Music library is available to freely use in submissions through the festival.

Contact Megan Froehlich regarding use of the PrimalHouse Music library, cue sheet completion, or any other questions regarding PrimalHouse New Jersey at megan@primalhousemusic.com.

 

Festival Staff, Judges, & Conflicts of Interest

Individuals involved in the organization, administration, or judging of the 5x5 Film Festival may participate in or contribute to submitted films.

However, anyone with a direct connection to a submitted film must disclose that involvement and may not judge, score, vote on, or otherwise influence the selection or award consideration of that film.

When necessary, an alternate judge or other impartial decision-maker will be used to ensure that all submissions receive fair consideration.

Festival organizers may submit or participate in films, provided they receive no preferential treatment or competitive advantage as a result of their involvement with the festival.

 

Selection & Notification

Submissions must be received by November 10, 2026.

Filmmakers will be notified of their selection status by December 1, 2026.

Selected films will be screened at the 5x5 Film Festival on December 19, 2026, at Unlimited Studios in Long Branch, New Jersey.

Submission does not guarantee selection or screening.

Judging decisions and award determinations are final.

Filmmakers do not need to attend the festival in person for their film to be selected or receive an award, unless otherwise specified for a particular prize.

The festival reserves the right to make reasonable changes to screening schedules, award names, programming, or event logistics when necessary. Any significant changes affecting selected filmmakers will be communicated as soon as reasonably possible.

 

Submission Agreement

By submitting to the 5x5 Film Festival, the submitter confirms that they are authorized to submit the film, accepts these Rules & Terms, and grants the festival the screening and promotional permissions described above.