Skip to main content

Enter Your Student Film to KCET's 'Fine Cut Festival of Films'

Support Provided By

KCET’s annual “Fine Cut Festival of Films” is now accepting submissions. Get a chance to see your film on television this fall and win package prizes in support of your filmmaking journey.

Every year, KCET searches for the best student films across Southern California from filmmakers 18 and up. These films range from documentary, to animation and narrative. Once all entries are in, a panel of industry judges select finalists, which will be fit into four hourlong episodes to be broadcast on KCET.

A tribute to “Fine Cut” founder Jack Larson, an American actor, librettist, screenwriter and producer who may be best known for his portrayal of photographer/reporter Jimmy Olsen in the 1952-1958 television series “Adventures of Superman,” the festival has been giving students an opportunity to show their work to a larger audience for twenty years.

In the late 1990s, Larson approached Southern California’s KCET with the idea of creating a student film series that would provide talented students with the much-needed opportunity to have their short films selected for television broadcast. Larson understood how difficult it was for young filmmakers to get broad exposure for their work because, typically, student work is only seen at special screenings and film festivals. Public television’s mission dovetailed with Larson’s support for emerging filmmakers and together they created “Fine Cut.” In the years hence, “Fine Cut” has been turned into competition, giving away prize packages meant to enhance and support a new generation’s filmmaking career.

In order to participate in this year’s “Fine Cut Festival of Films,” you will need to submit your film on https://filmfreeway.com/FineCut . The film must be 25 minutes or less and you must be a student 18 years and up. Submissions are accepted between April 1st to and June 5th. You will be notified in August if you are one of the select finalists to be part of the broadcast in the fall. The top winners will be announced at the series launch event in September.

You can watch the 2019 winners on kcet.org/finecut:

Jack Larson Southern California Student Filmmaker Award
The Moon and the Night
Directed by Erin Lau (Chapman University)

Documentary
Delay of Game
Documentary directed by Shaun Dikilato (University of Southern California)

Narrative
Lalo’s House
Narrative directed by: Kelley Kali (University of Southern California)

Animation Winner
"Shoot the Moon
Animation directed by William Rowe (University of California Los Angeles)

Submit your film for the 2020 “Fine Cut Festival of Films” now!

Support Provided By
Read More
Fine Cut S24 Primary Image

24th Annual 'Fine Cut' Showcase Celebrates Diverse Stories From Record Number of SoCal Schools: Full Winners List

The winners of the 24th annual "Fine Cut" were revealed during the "Fine Cut" Festival of Films showcase at the Landmark Westwood. View the full list of winners here.
A grid of profile photos of Fine Cut season 24 judges. In clockwise order, the photos are of: Michael Herrera, Everett Downing, Kelly Younger, Elizabeth Ito, Tina Mabry, Yemisi Brookes, Alison Kelly, James Lee Hernandez, and Karissa Valencia.

Meet the 2023 'Fine Cut' Judges

In its 24th season, "Fine Cut" features an accomplished panel of eight judges, each an expert in various filmmaking disciplines, who will determine category finalists and winners.
Everett Downing is wearing a red polo shirt and is seated at a round table with a white table cloth. Students are seated around him, leaning in as he speaks to the table.

'Fine Cut' Student Workshop Offers Emerging Filmmakers Personalized Mentorship and a Studio Walking Tour

KCET's "Fine Cut Festival of Films" hosted an exciting Mentoring Workshop at Los Angeles Center Studios, sponsored by Sony Pictures Entertainment.