Movies Askew High School Film Contest

Movies Askew is a youth-focused short film competition originally created by Portland Community Media (now operating as **Open Signal**). The contest invites high school–age filmmakers to produce short, original films that are then screened on local cable access television and often at a public showcase. Submissions typically include narrative, documentary, experimental, and animated shorts, encouraging students to explore a wide range of creative approaches and technical styles. The competition is aimed at teens in high school (grades 9–12) in the Portland, Oregon area and has historically been **free to enter**, with a focus on accessibility and giving young filmmakers a platform rather than charging entry fees. Participants gain experience in storytelling, camera work, editing, and collaboration, and selected films receive public exposure via cable broadcast and community events—helpful for building a portfolio for college applications or future media opportunities. Because Movies Askew is a local, community-media project, it may not run every year in the same format, and details such as deadlines and eligibility are periodically updated on Open Signal’s site and related calls for youth media.