SHORT FILM CHALLENGE

 Thank you for your interest in submitting to the Comedy Spot Short Film Challenge: Scary Movie Edition!

Comedy Spot Short Film Challenge participants have 30 days to write, produce, film, and edit a comedic short film. Each challenge will feature a new theme. Please see the list of important dates below, and read through the rules for more information. As with all Sacramento Comedy Spot programs, we seek to represent a wide range of experiences and communities through connections with our partners and community leaders.

Completed short films will premiere during a special livestream event on Friday, October 24, at 7:30 PM. 

Rules and Information

• Remember: This is a comedy short film challenge: “Scary” Movie Edition
• All comedy short films must be written, produced, filmed, and edited between Tuesday,  September 30, 2025 and Tuesday, October 21, 2025. You are on the honor system.
• There is not an entry fee, but you must contact the Comedy Spot with your intention to participate by emailing: laugh@saccomedyspot.com by Monday, October 6, 2025 at midnight.
• There is no theme for the “Scary” Movie Edition
• Films can be as short as desired but can not be more than 10 minutes long (including credits).
• Your final product should have the best quality picture and sound. Please contact the Comedy Spot if you need to borrow some equipment. 
• Films must be submitted in .mp4 or .mov format to laugh@saccomedyspot.com before Tuesday October 21, 2025 at midnight. 
• By submitting your film, you grant the Comedy Spot permission to screen your film at the Sacramento Comedy Spot on October 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM and livestream to paying customers. Admission to attend the screening in person is $12. Livestream tickets are $7.  
• Fifty percent (50%) of total income generated from this show will be split between each of the films submitted. 
• All participants will be able to livestream this show for FREE. You will be sent a link when we confirm that we have received your submission. Each film may have two complimentary tickets to attend the in-person screening at the Comedy Spot on Friday, October 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM.
• Any submission that is deemed misogynist, racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic or that disrespects historically marginalized groups will not be part of the screening on October 24, 2025. You will be notified if your film is being rejected. 
• The nature of this challenge is truly guerilla-style filmmaking. Be careful and be responsible. By submitting, all participants release Sacramento Comedy Spot, its affiliates, successors, officers, employees, representatives, partners, and agents, in their individual and/or corporate capacity, from any and all claims, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, disputes, demands, damages, causes of action of any nature and kind, known or unknown, which participants has or ever had or may in the future have against Sacramento Comedy Spot.
• Fans attending the in-person screening on October 25, 2025 at 7:30 PM will be able to vote for the Audience Favorite Award that will be announced at the end of the screening, after participants vote electronically. Participating films will also be eligible for the Comedy Spot Favorite Award that will be announced on Saturday, October 26, 2025 by social media.