Filmmakers of all ages and experience levels will have 24 hours to create an original short film before a public screening and finals at the Angelika Film Center Dallas — The clock is ticking again.
The Video Association of Dallas and Dallas VideoFest bring back the 24-Hour Video Race, the longtime Dallas filmmaking challenge that gives teams just one day to conceive, shoot, edit and deliver an original short film.
The race begins at 11:59 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at the Angelika Film Center at Mockingbird Station, 5321 E. Mockingbird Lane in Dallas, where the required elements will be revealed. This year, entries can also be submitted online, so there’s no need to drive to the Angelika at midnight. Official registration for this year’s 24-Hour VideoRace.
Completed films must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, to be eligible for judging.
The finalists will return to the Angelika for a public screening on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
First launched in Dallas in 2002, the 24-Hour Video Race has challenged generations of filmmakers to see what they can create under an unforgiving deadline. Past competitors have ranged from elementary school students making their first films to college teams, independent filmmakers and seasoned professionals.
For more information, go to VideoFest.org.
To register for the VideoRace online, go to Official registration for this year’s 24-Hour VideoRace.
One day, one film
Just before the race begins Sept. 4, teams will receive a set of required creative elements to incorporate into their films: a theme, prop, location and line of dialogue. The elements are kept secret until the start, so every team begins with the same amount of time to write, shoot and edit its entry.
Then the countdown begins.
Teams have 24 hours to turn those ingredients into a completed film. Entries that arrive after the 11:59 p.m. deadline on Sept. 5 will not be eligible for judging.
The format rewards ingenuity as much as technical skill. A polished camera package is not required. Anyone with a camera (even a phone), an idea and the willingness to spend a very busy 24 hours making a movie can participate.
Divisions for students and adults
Student filmmakers compete against others in their age group, while the adult team and AI division compete in their own division.
The 2026 divisions are:
Super 8 Division: 10th grade and younger
16 MM Division: 11th and 12th grades
Animal House Division: College students
Old Enough to Know Better: Adult teams
HAL 9000: For any team using AI in the creation of their video.
The competition has long served as an entry point for young filmmakers while giving experienced creators a chance to test themselves against the clock.
Teams can register until 11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4 at Official registration for this year’s 24-Hour VideoRace. The fee per team is $25.
See what Dallas can make in 24 hours
The films created during the race will be screened for audiences and judges, culminating in a screening and awards presentation on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Angelika Film Center. Members of the public are invited to attend and see what teams were able to produce in a single day.
The first-place winning team in each category will be awarded a $500 gift card from B&H Photo.
Admission to the screening is free.
For race information, participation details and updates, visit VideoFest.org or email info@videofest.org.
Sponsor
The 2026 24-Hour Video Race is sponsored by the Office of Cultural Affairs Dallas. Thank you!