Quiet on the Set! Youth Film Festival
brought to you by Wharton Studio Museum
Quiet on the Set!, WSM’s local youth silent film festival, is back! Submit your short silent film!
No previous moviemaking experience is necessary.
REGISTER HERE!
Registration Deadline: Sunday, March 1, 2026
Submission Deadline: Friday, May 15, 2026
Screening & Awards Ceremony takes place Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 2pm at Cinemapolis in downtown Ithaca, NY.
Submissions open February 1! Submit your film using the FilmFreeway button below.
About
Inspired by our region’s role in early moviemaking, Quiet on the Set! launched in 2017 as an opportunity for local middle and highschool-age youth to try their hand at visual storytelling and showcase their creativity by creating short films. Films -- silent (no spoken dialogue) and in black & white -- are reviewed by a jury panel of local educators and arts professionals. Prizes are awarded to the top three entries and two Honorable Mentions, and revealed at the Screening & Awards Ceremony at local independent movie theatre Cinemapolis in downtown Ithaca.
Thank you to Presenting Sponsor Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College for its continued support.
Past Winners
2024
1st Place
On the Company’s Dime
(TST BOCES)
directed by August D.
WITH Erin B., Ethan P., and Scianna S.
2nd Place
Smudgies
(Ithaca High School)
directed by Abigail G. and Emily R.
3rd Place
Tea At Mr. Vanian’s
(Whitney Point)
directed by David and Gerek T.
Honorable Mentions
CHIQUITA
(Ithaca High School)
directed by Elijah Rey B. and Andrew Knox T.
with Theo Caspar S. and Benjamin William K.
The Scholar’s Folly
(TST BOCES)
directed by Talen Scott H.
with Emma Elizabeth K., Caden Marshal L., and Riley Raymond W.
2022
1st Place
YOU'VE DONE IT THIS TIME
directed by Marcella W.
2nd Place
THE BACKGROUND MUSIC
directed by Evan K. J.
3rd Place
WRITER'S BLOCK
directed by Robin A.
Honorable Mentions
THE THING
directed by Julian R.
A CRUMMY CRIME
directed by Cole R.
2021
1st Place
GRASS ISN'T GREENER ACROSS THE ROAD
directed by Isabelle Adie
2nd Place
DINNER TIME
directed by Suraphael Barton
3rd Place
TO GRANDMA'S HOUSE WE GO?
directed by Kieran Shulman and Lili Rotondi
Honorable Mentions
304
directed by Alexandra St. Pierre-Nguyen
BETRAYAL
directed by Marlin Hamm
View films from past festivals: Youtube
Contact
Get Involved
We would love to hear from you!
If you are a teacher, educator, or other organizer who would like to collaborate with us on the festival. Teachers have made past festivals a class project or elective extra credit. This symbiosis brings us more submissions while celebrating and showcasing student work in a unique, exciting way that encourages student creativity and exceeds simply receiving a grade.
If you are a local arts or education organization, such as a library, and you would like to be added to our list and receive future festival announcements.
If you would like to discuss volunteering for or creating an internship with the festival.