Enter one film
Register through Shopify for $29 per film. Multiple films are welcome with a separate entry for each.
A filmmaking event by Spotlight Drive
THE SPOTLIGHT CHALLENGE FALL 2026
Make the film
you keep talking about.
Get your people together. Receive one secret creative challenge. Write it. Shoot it. Finish it. Then put your film in the Spotlight.
4–20 MINUTES · ANY GENRE · ANY CAMERA · U.S. ENTRIES
Countdown to registration
Saturday, September 26 · 8:30 PM ET · Registration closes October 12
Registration countdown loading.
FALL 2026ONESECRET CHALLENGE
Assigned after confirmed payment. No rerolls.
HOW IT WORKS
One entry. One challenge. One finished film.
Open your challenge
After verified payment, the server locks one random, open-ended secret challenge to your Entry ID. There are no rerolls.
Make the movie
Write, shoot, edit, and finish a new 4–20 minute film. Any genre. Any camera. Solo or with a team of any size.
Put it in the Spotlight
Submit the finished film, poster or cover, synopsis, and structured credits by your exact deadline.
WHAT EVERY COMPLETED ELIGIBLE FILM GETS
Finishing is the win.
We make it visible.
Every completed, eligible film is planned to receive the same core experience—without invented prizes, partners, or guarantees.
Online premiere
A planned online viewing experience built for the finished work.
Spotted Rating
A public rating layer designed for thoughtful discovery.
Private feedback
Concise, constructive notes intended to help the filmmaker grow.
Film + credits page
A permanent home for the film, synopsis, poster, and structured credits.
Recognition
Participant recognition for completing an eligible film.
Later benefit
A later Spotlight Drive participant benefit, subject to final terms.
REQUIREMENTS
Clear rules.
Maximum creative freedom.
Make a complete, watchable film after registration. The challenge shapes the starting point; your genre, style, cast, crew, and camera are yours.
4–20 minutes
Runtime excludes opening logos, title cards, and end credits.
Any camera
Phones are welcome. Deliver in landscape at 720p or higher with intelligible audio.
Solo or team
No maximum team size. The first edition is U.S.-focused.
Complete submission
Film, poster or cover, synopsis, and structured credits are required.
THE SECRET CHALLENGE
Assigned once.
Yours for good.
Verified payment triggers one random, open-ended challenge. The server assigns and stores it before the reveal animation begins, so refreshing, revisiting, or replaying the animation can never change it.
- One prompt per paid film entry
- No rerolls or client-side randomizer
- Private link tied to the Entry ID
- Only the entrant’s assigned challenge is returned
THE SPOTLIGHT CHALLENGEFALL 2026
ONE SECRET CHALLENGE
Revealed after confirmed payment
No active challenge text or prompt-pool data is embedded in this page.PREMIERE + SPOTTED RATING
A finish line
people can see.
Completed eligible films are planned for an online premiere and a permanent Spotlight Drive film-and-credits page. The Spotted Rating adds a public signal designed to help finished work be discovered.
Premiere
A planned online screening experience—not a folder of anonymous links.
Spotted Rating
A public rating attached to the film’s Spotlight Drive page.
Constructive feedback
Private notes focused on what works and what can grow.
PARTICIPANT BENEFITS
Your film keeps
working for you.
Planned participant recognition and a permanent film-and-credits page give the completed work a durable home. A later Spotlight Drive benefit is also planned for eligible credited participants, subject to final terms and product readiness.
No claim code, billing promise, prize, sponsor, partnership, press placement, judge roster, or entry count is being promised here.
DEADLINES
Know your date.
Finish the film.
RegisterYour film is dueTime zone
Through October 10, 2026October 15, 2026 · 11:59 PMEastern Time
October 11–12, 2026October 20, 2026 · 11:59 PMEastern Time
Registration closes October 12, 2026. Your exact deadline is shown before payment and stored with your Entry ID after payment.
FAQ
Good questions.
Straight answers.
The short version is here. The Participant Guide and Official Rules carry the full launch terms.
What is the secret challenge?+
One random, open-ended creative requirement assigned after verified payment. It is stored before the reveal animation starts and cannot be rerolled.
Can I shoot on a phone?+
Yes. Any camera is allowed. The finished film must be landscape, at least 720p, complete, watchable, and have intelligible audio.
Can I enter alone or with a team?+
Either. Solo filmmakers and teams are welcome, with no maximum team size.
Can I enter more than one film?+
Yes. Each film needs its own separate $29 entry and receives its own locked challenge.
How long can the film be?+
4–20 minutes, excluding opening logos, title cards, and end credits.
What do I submit?+
A finished film, poster or cover, synopsis, and structured credits. The Participant Guide contains delivery details.
What happens after I finish?+
Every completed eligible film is planned for an online premiere, Spotted Rating, constructive private feedback, a permanent film-and-credits page, participant recognition, and a later Spotlight Drive benefit subject to final terms.
Who owns my film?+
You do. Final permissions and event-use terms will be stated in the Official Rules before paid registration opens.