Comstock Film Festival Young Filmmaker Workshop | SPARKS HERITAGE MUSEUM

Learn the fundamentals of filmmaking with a local filmmaker and leave with a film that can be entered into the Comstock Film Festival!
About this Event

Calling all young filmmakers! The Historic Fourth Ward School Museum launching our 2026 Comstock Film Festival, offering young Northern Nevadan filmmakers and aspiring filmmakers alike ages 10-25 the chance to express their creativity and share their talent by creating shorts that celebrate Nevada! 

Are you new to filmmaking and don’t know where to start? Come to a workshop and leave with a film! Attend one of two informational sessions at either the Fourth Ward School Museum or the Sparks Heritage Museum, where you will learn the fundamentals of filmmaking and collaboration as you are paired into a small group with other young filmmakers and mentored by a local filmmaker who will help you make a short film in a single day that can then be entered into the festival! 

Session 1: Saturday October 3rd, 10AM-5PM at the Sparks Heritage Museum  - 814 Victorian Ave. Sparks, NV  | Admission $10 - Includes lunch and waives festival entrance fee

Session 2: Sunday, October 4th, 10AM - 5PM at the Fourth Ward School Museum - 537 S C. St. Virginia City, NV | Admission $10 - Includes lunch and waives festival entrance fee

ITINERARY

10AM - The Fundamentals of Filmmaking

11AM - The History of Northern Nevada & Exploring the Museum! 

12 PM - Pre-Production: Writing, Storyboarding, & Planning your Film!

1-1:30PM - LUNCH

1:30PM - Production: Putting the Pieces Together

3:30PM -  An Introduction to Post-Production

5:00PM - End of Workshop

The competition kicks off Wednesday, October 7th. Films of any genre are welcome to compete! Films must be under 10 minutes in length (including credits), and must feature an element of Nevada history in its plotline. All films are due by midnight on Saturday, November 7th. 

The event concludes on Saturday, November 14th at the Fourth Ward School Museum at 537 S. C Street, where festival participants and attendees can participate in masterclasses from local filmmakers beginning at 10am, followed by a screening and awards event starting at 3pm. The evening will not only celebrate the talents of our participating filmmakers, but will also feature a raffle with fabulous prizes from our community partners. 

Key Submission Details: 

• Open to filmmakers aged 10-25 residing in Washoe County, Storey County, Lyon County, Douglas County, Pershing County, Incline Village and Carson City. 
• Short films must be 10 minutes or under, including end credits. Projects under 2 minutes are welcome.
• Films must be PG-rated (no profanity, nudity or illicit sexual content)
• Must include some aspect of Nevada history. Examples include plots involving mining, the railroad, the Pony Express, pioneers, prehistoric fossils, historic figures, or a story heavily featuring the natural landscape or Historic Places of Nevada.
• Must be 10-25 years of age. Adjudication will be organized by age groups, 10-15, 16-20 and 21-25 years-old 
• Filmmakers cannot Generative AI to create their film, either whole or in part (ex. using AI to create writing, scripts, music, images, special effects, footage, etc.).
• Must print, sign and submit the consent found. Can be submitted via email or mail, but must be signed

Perks for Participating Filmmakers

• Official on-stage introduction prior to your film’s screening
• Filmmaker panel Q&A moderated by the Festival Director
• The opportunity to meet and learn from local industry professionals
• Photo opportunities
• A chance to win fabulous raffle prizes from local community partners

Resources for more information on Comstock and Nevada history, Nevada environment and landscapes (includes but is in no way limited to):

• Fourth Ward School Museum YouTube and Archives
• Nevada Historical Society 
• Nevada State Register of Historic Places
• Visit Virginia City history 
• Visit Carson City history