Let's Make a Movie!

Reel Voices is a film festival open to all language teachers and students anywhere in the world. Whether filmmaking is a major project in your class, or you are just looking for a new and creative activity to try, we welcome you to join our festival and community!

2026 Reel Voices Language Learning Film Festival

Watch Films

How to Submit a Film 

Submit a Film

Submission Categories

There are 4 different categories you can choose from when you create and submit your film to the festival. 

Explore the 4 categories and find one that fits your classroom:

Festival and Contest

Original Short Film

This category is for students who want to write and tell a meaningful story in another language through film. It is perfect for those engaging in filmmaking as a key part of their language course, curriculum, or club activities.

Students can create a film in any genre under 20 minutes in length.

This is your chance to share your film with an audience, make an impact, and maybe even win the grand prize!

Rules and Guidelines>>>

Awards

Grand Prize
Best of Show (multiple winners)
Certificate (All Entries)

impossible, possible, attitude

Video Contest

The Reel Challenge

A quick, fun, and easy option for first-time filmmakers! This category is all about creating a short video using your skills in another language based on a creative prompt. 

All you need is a camera, language, and some imagination! Even those with limited time or resources can participate in this activity. 

Using a prompt below, make a video under 2 minutes in length: 

The topic for the Reel Challenge is: Hello, Future Me!

Rules and Guidelines>>>

Awards

Grand Prize
Finalist (top 10)
Certificate (All Entries)

Festival Only

Book Reels

This category is for students who want to dive into the world of written stories through the art of summary. In under two minutes, you will introduce the story of your favorite book, comic book or manga in a language you are studying. Focus on the most important plot points and characters and encourage others to read it. Make it exciting and fun!

Whether it’s a classic novel, a popular comic or an undiscovered title, this is your chance to share your passion for books and film! Recommend a book and inspire others to read!

Rules and Guidelines>>>

Awards

Certificate (All Entries)
Audience Award

Festival Only

Parody Films and Fan Films

This category for students who want to practice language and have fun with familiar genres and movies they already know.

Parody and fan films allow students to spoof or reimagine well-known works while being creative and expressing their own ideas. It doesn’t require starting from scratch but still involves writing, acting, and a lot of language practice.

Get inspired by your favorite movie, character, or genre and make your own movie! 

Rules and Guidelines>>>

Awards

Certificate (All Entries)

Ready to join?   Explore the  Rules and Guidelines, then submit your film!

Rules and Guidelines

Original Short Film

In this category you are free to tell your own original story in any genre you choose—drama, comedy, fantasy, documentary, animation, or anything in between! Your short film must completely original, written, directed, and created by you (or with help from friends or classmates) in the language you are studying, and must be under 20 minutes. The judges will rate all films and the top-scoring films will be awarded Best of Show! All entries can be watched and enjoyed during the Reel Voices Film Festival, and Best of Show and Grand Prize winner will be featured in our live event. 

  • Films must be written, produced, and performed by students in the language they are studying.
  • Films may be any genre: comedy, drama, horror, animation, music video, etc.
  • Films may be up to 20 minutes or less in total length.
  • Films may be presented in any language being studied, but all films must be subtitled in English.
  • Films containing AI-generated content will not be accepted.
  • Films containing profanity or inappropriate content will not be accepted.
  • Films containing plagiarized or copyrighted content will not be accepted.
  • Submission by those under 18 years of age requires a parental signature on the film release form.

Teachers play an invaluable role in helping students as they create and share their films, but it may be difficult to know how to support students and how much to get involved in the filmmaking process. Here are some guidelines and practical strategies teachers may find helpful that align with the spirit of the Reel Voices Language Learning Film Festival in empowering students through filmmaking.

  • Let Students Lead
    - Encourage students to make their own decisions and take charge of the key filmmaking roles such as director, writer, cinematographer, editor, and actor.
    - Act as a mentor by listening to their ideas, answering questions, and giving constructive feedback and advice when they face challenges.
  • Integrate Language Learning
    - Set clear language goals and expectations for the filmmaking project that focus on your students' levels and needs.
    - Emphasize language-focused activities like scriptwriting or performing dialogue that will engage students with the target language while working on their films.
  • Teach and Learn Along the Way
    - Provide some mini-lessons or hands-on practice in basic filmmaking techniques (such as camera angles, lighting, sound, editing).
    - Learn along with students, and let them learn from each other.
  • Share Tools and Resources
    - Show them some example films, script/storyboard templates, and worksheets to help them get ideas and manage the project.
    - Provide students with some equipment they might need, like cameras, tripods, microphones or editing software, and show them how to use it.
  • Celebrate Student Achievements
    - Help students reflect on the experience of filmmaking and emphasize their growth and contribution in the process, not only the final product.
    - Encourage students to share their experience and their work with a wider audience, like the Reel Voices Film Festival.

Each film submission will be rated by our judges and by the audience. The top scoring films will be awarded the Best of Show prize!

Films will be scored on 3 basic criteria:

  • Content (Acting/Expression, Action/Performance, Dialogue, Message, Theme)
  • Visual Elements (Costume/Prop Design, Lighting/Mood, Location/Set Design, Angles, Stationary/moving shots, Transitions)
  • Audio and Technical Elements (Music, Sound Effects, Editing)
  • Overall Impression (Creativity/Originality)

The Reel Challenge

This is a fun creative video-making challenge with the chance to win a great prize! For this category, we will give you a unique prompt and your task is to make a short video under 2 minutes in length. Get together with friends or classmates and film something surprising, funny, or inspiring in the language you are studying. All submissions can be watched and enjoyed during the Reel Voices Film Festival, and the top 10 entries will be featured in our live event. The live audience will choose the Grand Prize winner!

The Prompts for the Reel Challenge is:

Hello, Future Me!

The next five to ten years will be full of changes, both in your own lives and in society and culture more generally. This video will be a "time capsule" - a project to capture your thoughts, dreams, worries, goals, hopes and fears about the next stage of your lives. Ideally, after making this video, you will save it somewhere and come back to watch it again in 5 years (or any period of time you choose). We hope you will find that you have achieved at least some of your goals, and that you have overcome at least some of your worries and obstacles.

Tips for Making a Video (Canva)

  • Videos must be written, produced, and performed by students in the language they are studying.
  • Videos can be up to 2 minutes or less in total length.
  • Videos should contain dialogue by students in their original voice in the language they are studying. This can also include narration or voiceover.
  • Videos may be presented in any language you are studying, but all films must be subtitled in English.
  • Videos containing profanity or inappropriate content will not be accepted.
  • Videos containing AI-generated content will not be accepted.
  • Videos containing plagiarized or copyrighted content not be accepted.
  • Submission by those under 18 years of age requires a parental signature on the film release form.

Teachers play an invaluable role in helping students as they create and share their films, but it may be difficult to know how to support students and how much to get involved in the filmmaking process. Here are some guidelines and practical strategies teachers may find helpful that align with the spirit of the Reel Voices Language Learning Film Festival in empowering students through filmmaking.

  • Let Students Lead
    - Encourage students to make their own decisions and take charge of the key filmmaking roles such as director, writer, cinematographer, editor, and actor.
    - Act as a mentor by listening to their ideas, answering questions, and giving constructive feedback and advice when they face challenges.
  • Integrate Language Learning
    - Set clear language goals and expectations for the filmmaking project that focus on your students' levels and needs.
    - Emphasize language-focused activities like scriptwriting or performing dialogue that will engage students with the target language while working on their films.
  • Teach and Learn Along the Way
    - Provide some mini-lessons or hands-on practice in basic filmmaking techniques (such as camera angles, lighting, sound, editing).
    - Learn along with students, and let them learn from each other.
  • Share Tools and Resources
    - Show them some example films, script/storyboard templates, and worksheets to help them get ideas and manage the project.
    - Provide students with some equipment they might need, like cameras, tripods, microphones or editing software, and show them how to use it.
  • Celebrate Student Achievements
    - Help students reflect on the experience of filmmaking and emphasize their growth and contribution in the process, not only the final product.
    - Encourage students to share their experience and their work with a wider audience, like the Reel Voices Film Festival.

Each submission will be rated by our panel and the 10 top-rated videos will be selected for the final round. The Grand Prize winner will be decided by a live audience.

Book Reels

Do you have a favorite book, novel, novela that you want to make a movie about? In this category, we’re looking for book trailers. This is your chance to show the exciting parts of your favorite book without giving away the whole story or spoiling surprises! Make a film that will make others want to read the book. Make sure to add your own recommendation message.

What is a trailer?
— A highlight real of interesting, exciting or dramatic moments with characters and settings from your favorite book. For example, you might create a reel of events with dialogue and add a voice over to connect the scenes.
How to create a Book Reel?
—The end of the story should not be revealed! —The full title and name of the author must be introduced clearly. —You must add a recommendation message to your video that explains why viewers should read the book themselves.

We aim to celebrate the educational role and value of these works in the learning process, but due to potential copyright liabilities, they will not be eligible for prizes.

  • Videos must be written, produced, and performed by students in the language they are studying.
  • Videos can be up to 2 minutes or less in total length.
  • Videos should contain dialogue by students in their original voice in the language they are studying. This can also include narration or voiceover.
  • Videos may be presented in any language you are studying, but all films must be subtitled in English.
  • Videos containing profanity or inappropriate content will not be accepted.
  • Videos containing AI-generated content will not be accepted.
  • Videos containing plagiarized or copyrighted content not be accepted.
  • Submission by those under 18 years of age requires a parental signature on the film release form.

Teachers play an invaluable role in helping students as they create and share their films, but it may be difficult to know how to support students and how much to get involved in the filmmaking process. Here are some guidelines and practical strategies teachers may find helpful that align with the spirit of the Reel Voices Language Learning Film Festival in empowering students through filmmaking.

  • Let Students Lead
    - Encourage students to make their own decisions and take charge of the key filmmaking roles such as director, writer, cinematographer, editor, and actor.
    - Act as a mentor by listening to their ideas, answering questions, and giving constructive feedback and advice when they face challenges.
  • Integrate Language Learning
    - Set clear language goals and expectations for the filmmaking project that focus on your students' levels and needs.
    - Emphasize language-focused activities like scriptwriting or performing dialogue that will engage students with the target language while working on their films.
  • Teach and Learn Along the Way
    - Provide some mini-lessons or hands-on practice in basic filmmaking techniques (such as camera angles, lighting, sound, editing).
    - Learn along with students, and let them learn from each other.
  • Share Tools and Resources
    - Show them some example films, script/storyboard templates, and worksheets to help them get ideas and manage the project.
    - Provide students with some equipment they might need, like cameras, tripods, microphones or editing software, and show them how to use it.
  • Celebrate Student Achievements
    - Help students reflect on the experience of filmmaking and emphasize their growth and contribution in the process, not only the final product.
    - Encourage students to share their experience and their work with a wider audience, like the Reel Voices Film Festival.

Each submission will be rated by our panel and the 10 top-rated videos will be selected for the final round. The Grand Prize winner will be decided by a live audience.

Parody Films / Fan Films

Do you have a favorite movie, character, or genre that you want to make a movie about? In this category, we’re looking for parodies and fan films. This is your own twist on something familiar! You can imitate or borrow from other works, but be sure to add your own fresh or humorous idea. This is an easy way to have fun and learn with film, experiment with language, and create something new!

What is a parody? What is a fan film? What's the difference?
— A parody mimics or imitates other works, but in order to make a statement or as a joke. For example, you might create a hilarious version of a famous movie scene, turning it into something unexpected or silly.
— A fan film borrows beloved elements of another work (like characters or setting), but creates a whole new story. For example, you might tell your own story using characters, settings, or ideas from the original—but adding your unique touch.
— Neither copy or remake the original story— instead they offer something new. Parodies are playful or critical, and make us laugh and think, while fan films celebrate and honor the original work by expanding its reach.

We aim to celebrate the educational role and value of these works in the learning process, but due to potential copyright liabilities, they will not be eligible for prizes.

  • Films must be written, produced, and performed by students in the language they are studying.
  • Films should successfully transform the original work. They must offer a significant alteration to the original for humor or critique, or a whole new story. Simple remakes or adaptations will not be accepted.
  • Films may be presented in any language you are studying, but all films must be subtitled in English.
  • Films containing profanity or inappropriate content will not be accepted.
  • Films containing AI-generated content will not be accepted.
  • Films containing plagiarized or copyrighted content will not be accepted.
  • Submission by those under 18 years of age requires a parental signature on the film release form.

Teachers play an invaluable role in helping students as they create and share their films, but it may be difficult to know how to support students and how much to get involved in the filmmaking process. Here are some guidelines and practical strategies teachers may find helpful that align with the spirit of the Reel Voices Language Learning Film Festival in empowering students through filmmaking.

  • Let Students Lead
    - Encourage students to make their own decisions and take charge of the key filmmaking roles such as director, writer, cinematographer, editor, and actor.
    - Act as a mentor by listening to their ideas, answering questions, and giving constructive feedback and advice when they face challenges.
  • Integrate Language Learning
    - Set clear language goals and expectations for the filmmaking project that focus on your students' levels and needs.
    - Emphasize language-focused activities like scriptwriting or performing dialogue that will engage students with the target language while working on their films.
  • Teach and Learn Along the Way
    - Provide some mini-lessons or hands-on practice in basic filmmaking techniques (such as camera angles, lighting, sound, editing).
    - Learn along with students, and let them learn from each other.
  • Share Tools and Resources
    - Show them some example films, script/storyboard templates, and worksheets to help them get ideas and manage the project.
    - Provide students with some equipment they might need, like cameras, tripods, microphones or editing software, and show them how to use it.
  • Celebrate Student Achievements
    - Help students reflect on the experience of filmmaking and emphasize their growth and contribution in the process, not only the final product.
    - Encourage students to share their experience and their work with a wider audience, like the Reel Voices Film Festival.

Due to copyright liabilities, films may be rejected if they:

  • include any copyrighted content from the original work (clips, dialogue, music) not considered fair use
  • fail to transform the original work
  • copy or closely follow original works and retain their core essence (even if there are some minor changes)

Meet the 2026 Judges!

We are excited to introduce our panel of judges for the 2026 Reel Voices Film Festival Original Short Film category. They are professionals with diverse experiences in the film industry who actively support educational filmmaking activities. They are looking forward to watching and commenting on your films, and sharing their expertise and passion for film with you during the livestream events!

Etsuko Gutierrez

Tokyo, Japan

Etsuko GUTIERREZ is a writer affiliated with Office Blue LLC. She is contracted to the talent agency WANDER・WONDER・FILM while also serving as a member of the planning and development team at the production company United Production Co., Ltd. Not only do I write scripts and proposals for movies and dramas, but I've also recently started writing scripts and producing short dramas and short films.

Join Etsuko on Thursday, January 39, 2026 from 19:00-19:30 (JST) for her virtual live talk "Essential Requirements for Screenwriting" ! You can listen and interact with her live through the chat. Ask her questions and get some great advice one how to write stories and scripts for your next film!

Susan Rogers Chikuba

Tokyo, Japan

Counting from the fateful day when a high-school librarian passed her a folder of clippings on youth culture in Tokyo, Susan Rogers Chikuba has been following Japan for four decades. As a Tokyo-based writer, translator, and editor since 1990, she writes about the country’s traditional and contemporary arts, design, and architecture as well as its literary and culinary scenes for domestic and international projects and publications. She is a proud alum of Dr. Eleanor Jorden’s intensive FALCON program for the study of Japanese language, and a graduate of Cornell University, where she majored in Linguistics and East Asian Studies.

Nilesh Kumar

Seoul, South Korea

Nilesh Kumar is a Film Curator from England with over a decade of experience in the arts and has an MA in Korean Studies with a focus on Korean Cinema from Yonsei University. Nilesh’s career spans a blend of film production and curation. As a producer and art director, he has created fashion films, music videos, commercials, short films, and in 2025 he co- produced two films for the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism.

In the realm of film curation, Nilesh ran an underground cinema and gallery in Seoul. His curatorial work includes an exhibition celebrating the centenary of Korean cinema, an exhibition on Oldboy (2003, Park Chan-wook), and in 2025, a showcase of films by Kim-Jho Gwangsoo in England.

Join Nilesh on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 from 18:00-18:30 (JST) at his virtual live talk "Storytelling, from Macro to Micro" ! He will share his wisdom about how to express your story's vision! You can listen and interact with him through the chat. Ask him questions and get his perspective on your film!

Matthew Allen

Tokyo, Japan

Matthew Allen is an award-winning Australian screenwriter who’s written and rewritten scripts for, and optioned scripts to, the producers of such films as TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY (Arnold Schwarzenegger), THE ENGLISHMAN WHO WENT UP A HILL BUT CAME DOWN A MOUNTAIN (Hugh Grant), THE BOONDOCK SAINTS (Willem Dafoe), RABBIT-PROOF FENCE (Kenneth Branagh), THE BUCKET LIST (Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman), GRUDGE MATCH (Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro), THE EQUALIZER (Denzel Washington), and TURBO KID (Michael Ironside). His produced work includes a theatrically released feature he was a script doctor on and an NBCUniversal TV movie. Allen lives in Japan, but has been hired to write on film projects in the US, UK, Indonesia, and Turkey.

Join Matthew on Friday, January 30, 2026 from 18:00-18:30 (JST) for his virtual live talk "Screenwriting Q&A"! You can listen and interact with him live through the chat. Ask him questions about his experience as a screenwriter and get some great advice for your next film!