S.C. Young Filmmakers Top Ten Finalists to Premiere Short Films on May 2 in Columbia
Film lovers, families, and supporters of emerging talent are invited to a special screening event as the South Carolina Young Filmmakers Project spotlights the Top Ten finalists from the 2025-26 contest. Each finalist will screen their compelling two-minute short film for a public audience on May 2 at Spotlight Cinemas Capital 8 Theater, followed by a live announcement of the winners.
This celebration showcases the inventive storytelling and filmmaking of the next generation of South Carolina creators. Audiences will experience ten distinct voices and styles in rapid succession — from comedy to animation to drama.
“This event is a reminder that great storytelling starts here, with vision, craft, and imagination,” said Matt Storm, Director of the South Carolina Film Commission. “We’re thrilled to bring these short films to the big screen and honor the young filmmakers who made them.”
The finalists were selected through the South Carolina Young Filmmakers Project, a program from the South Carolina Film Commission and Trident Technical College that supports and spotlights the work of homegrown, emerging filmmakers.
The Top Ten Finalists are (in alphabetical order):
Battle Of The Stands
Gabriel Shepherd Celorio, Lila Harmon, Nico Stewart, Logan Weiser
South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities
Greenville, SC
When a rock band, The ROX opens a lemonade stand to fundraise, a rival jazz band, The Jetts, open a sweet tea stand out of spite. After things get heated, both leaders need to confront old arguments to save what they love the most - music.
Inkwell Hearts
Collin Allen
Allen Academy (Homeschool)
Florence, SC
An animation/live action film about a character that jumps off set to find her true love and disrupts the film she is supposed to star in.
Man in the Mirror
Elizabeth Mendoza Salcido, Gavin Beers, Avery Cox, Avery Merriman, Isaac Bassham
Anderson 1 and 2 Career and Technology Center
Williamston, SC
A Man struggling with his inner self, starting in a hole and winning back power in his life.
Phantom Projections
Savannah Bundy, Ava McElroy
South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities
Mauldin, SC
An aspiring filmmaker is forced to confront her insecurities.
Rewind
Erik Zapata
Anderson 1 and 2 Career and Technology Center
Williamston, SC
A film director is stuck in a time loop where every time someone speaks into a megaphone the scene rewinds, but something is different with the scene.
Say A Command
Adrian, Sanchez, Layla Vicino, Jaden Casey, Giannes Soto, Jared Adams
Fountain Inn High School
Fountain Inn, SC
While getting chased by the cops, an energetic thief discovers a megaphone with the power to do whatever you say…but the megaphone doesn't always work the way he wants.
Spotlight
Aurora Trautman, Hamilton Waters
South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities
Anderson, SC
Keira prepares to give the biggest speech of her life, but when cloaked figures thrust her on a treacherous journey of self discovery, will she stutter or stand tall in the face of fear?
The Attention Span of a Goldfish
Allison-Ann Crotwell
River Bluff High School
Lexington, SC
A tired, football obsessed dad tries to construct a toy plane for his daughter. Meanwhile, his lazy pet goldfish gets trapped under a megaphone, forced to problem solve and find a way out on his own - a literal fish out of water story.
The Voice Within
Olivia Reddin
River Bluff High School
Lexington, SC
When overwhelming stress takes over, two individuals inner voice find a way to be heard; leading them both to ask for help that they’ve been afraid to seek.
What Is This Thing?
Isabella Fabbio
Center for Advanced Technical Studies
Irmo, SC
While rummaging through an attic, a group of friends find a mysterious device and wonder what it could possibly be.