Desert Waves Film Festival

04/08/2026

☀️🌵 APRIL = GAME ON 🌵☀️

The hunt is ON for our Summer Shorts Contest…and we’re not making it easy...okay maaaaybe a lil easy...okay, let's agree on medium difficulty.

What we have happening this month:

🗿 Immunity Idols dropping
🎬 Film Team Mixers
🧭 Clues, challenges, and a little chaos along the way

Think you’ve got what it takes to outwit, outplay, and outsearch??

Grab your team (or find one), stay sharp, and don’t miss a drop… because every move counts.

📍 Las Vegas
🔗 Link in bio for mixer details

Let the games begin!

04/01/2026

☀️🌵 COMING SOON☀️🌵

The first Immunity Idol drops on 8 April.
Turn on your notifications and get ready to hunt!

Whichever team finds the Immunity Idol gets ONE extra day.

🚨Must be registered to collect the idol🚨

So, if you haven't signed up yet do it now.

Let's make this the best film contest yet!

03/28/2026

03/28/2026

☀️🌵🎬 SUMMER SHORTS CONTEST HAS A QUESTION FOR YOU 🎬☀️🌵

Did you know you could win CASH making a short film?

~Your mission, should you choose to accept it~

🎞️ Make a short film in 30 days
💸 Win $300 cash
🎬 Get your film on the big screen & into Desert Waves

No experience needed. Just bring the creativity 🔥

You’ve been briefed!

👉 Register before May 1st

03/23/2026

🗺 Desert Waves Scavenger Hunt 🗺️

Location videos for hidden idols drop on:
April 8th, 15th, 22nd, & 29th.

Survivor themed kick off is May 1st.

Bring your immunity idol to kick off!
We want all teams to know who has the advantage 😏

Summer Shorts Contest is a month long short film challenge
• ANY genre
• TWO required props (announced kick off night)
• WORLD WIDE contest
• 5-10 minutes, including credits
• Winner is screened TWICE! (At contest screening in June and again at the festival in October)

If you want help building a team, reach out!
We will be happy to make a post for you on our page AND we have two mixers planned in April.

🙏Thank you Irvin, for the 3D prints!

03/20/2026

☕🎬 FILMMAKERS — THIS BREW IS FOR YOU 🎬☕

Start your Friday with coffee + connections 🤝

Join us for a Morning Filmmaker Mixer with Nevada Women's Film Festival. Hosted by Desert Waves' founder and president Alicia Borja.

Meet creatives, talk projects, and build your network before the day even starts.

📍 Starbucks (Student Union)
⏰ 9:45AM – 10:45AM

No pressure. Just good vibes, great people, and maybe your next collaborator 👀🎥

Pull up, grab a cup, and say hi 👋 😄

03/18/2026

🎬🌵🌊 LIGHTS. CAMERA. RULES.🌵🌊🎬

Alright filmmakers, you’ve signed up (or you’re about to 😉)… now let’s talk about how to win this thing 👇

THE BASICS:
🎞️ Film must be 5–10 minutes (yes, credits included!)
📅 You’ve got May 1 – May 30 to create EVERYTHING
🚫 Nothing pre-made — all work done during contest

THE MUST KNOWS:
🎬 Include both props (find out @ kick-off)
⏰ Submit on time to be eligible for judging
🙋‍♀️ Have a team member at premiere night to qualify for awards

PRO TIP:
This isn’t about having the biggest budget. It’s about creativity, storytelling, and ex*****on. Some of the best films come from simple ideas done REALLY well

What’s on the line?
💵 $300 cash prize
🎥 Your film on the big screen
👏 Festival recognition + serious bragging rights

This is your excuse to finally make that film you’ve been talking about 😉

Tag your team 👬👭👫
Start brainstorming 💡
And get ready to create something unforgettable ✨

Questions? DM us anytime!