As a filmmaker and former student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), I am deeply concerned about the recent increase in submission fees for our annual SpringFlicks event. This festival was once a free platform for aspiring filmmakers and artists to showcase their work, network with peers, and grow their skills. However, this year's fee has skyrocketed to an unprecedented $28 per film submission. This is not only unfair but also discourages participation from students who are already struggling financially.

Starting a submission fee makes sense to help cover for a lack of funding and an attempt to deter excessive submissions, while these concerns are valid, there must be other ways to address them without placing undue financial burdens on students. For instance, the university could implement a limit on submissions or adopt more selective screening processes.

The impact of this fee is already evident - fewer students are showing interest in participating in SpringFlicks. This defeats the very purpose of the event - fostering creativity and collaboration among young artists.

We urge UNLV administration to reconsider this decision and lower the submission fee back down to $15 per film or lower. By doing so, they will ensure that SpringFlicks remains accessible for all students regardless of their financial situation.

Please sign this petition if you believe in supporting student artists at UNLV and maintaining affordable access to creative platforms like SpringFlicks.