Silver State Storytellers is deeply committed to nurturing creativity and providing a platform for storytellers of all kinds to showcase their talents. Our mission is to create opportunities for artists and writers to share their unique voices, fostering a vibrant community where diverse perspectives can flourish.
In 2023, we proudly became the custodians of the beloved Wired Wednesdays Short Film Competitions, originally founded in 2014. These annual competitions, which brought together filmmakers from all walks of life to create short films, have become a cherished tradition in Carson City. When the original organizers moved on, they entrusted Silver State Storytellers with their legacy, and we rebranded the competitions as “Carson City Shorts.”
Our Carson City Shorts program now carries the torch, hosting three annual short film competitions each year, alongside a variety of other creative contests in literature, photography, and visual art. These competitions are open to all, welcoming submissions from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just beginning your journey, we invite you to participate and share your story with the world.
Each of our competitions is judged by experienced professionals in their respective fields, ensuring that entries are evaluated with care and expertise. Winners receive not only fabulous prizes but also invaluable recognition and exposure for their work, helping to elevate emerging talents and give them the spotlight they deserve.
At Silver State Storytellers, we believe that every artist has a story to tell, and we’re here to help you share yours. Join us in celebrating the art of storytelling and become a part of our creative community. We can’t wait to see—and hear—what you create!
Past Competitions
In summer 2024, we launched our first-ever all-Sci-Fi film competition, Moon Rocks, challenging filmmakers to channel their inner Spielberg or Kubrick. With just two weeks, they created 5-to-9-minute sci-fi shorts, incorporating these cosmic prompts:
- Prop: A bread basket
- Sound Effect: Squeaky shoes
- Line of Dialogue: ‘I don’t know… It’s six to one, half dozen the other.’
Extra credit was awarded to teams who went Alien with a dozen eggs or more. Beam yourself over to our Carson City Shorts YouTube channel to watch these stellar films!
Our annual Love Notes short film competition in February 2024 was a celebration of love in all its forms, leaving us utterly enchanted by the films. Filmmakers had just two weeks to create a 5-to-9-minute romance, guided by these tender prompts:
- Prop: A lemon
- Sound Effect: A yodel
- Line of Dialogue: ‘Quick! Catch it! Before it gets away!’
Like love letters passed in secret, bonus points were given to those who featured Valentine’s Day cards in their stories. Visit our Carson City Shorts YouTube channel and let your heart be swept away by these captivating films!
The annual Carson Creepy Short Horror Film Competition took place in the eerie moonlight of October 2023, when shadows lengthened and fear crept in every corner. Filmmakers were dared to craft a spine-chilling 5-to-9-minute horror film, incorporating these bone-chilling prompts:
- Prop: A thermometer
- Sound Effect: A car horn
- Line of Dialogue: ‘You’re the only one who can do this!’
Bonus points were awarded to those who unnervingly featured four or more peace signs in their films, twisting symbols of calm into something unsettling. Dare to visit our Carson City Shorts YouTube page, if you’re brave enough, and uncover the terrifying tales that await!
Our inaugural Carson City Shorts competition kicked off in the summer of 2023 with the City Wide Short Film Competition, inviting filmmakers to craft a 5-to-9-minute film in any genre. The challenge? To seamlessly weave in these intriguing prompts:
- Prop: A trophy
- Sound Effect: A dripping faucet
- Line of Dialogue: ‘Oh, goodness! I thought we were over that!’
Extra credit was given to those who featured a recognizable Carson City landmark, adding a local touch to their cinematic creations. Explore the creativity and hometown pride by watching the films on our Carson City Shorts YouTube channel!
In the summer of 2023, we hosted our first-ever literary competition in celebration of Carson City’s inaugural Mark Twain Days. Writers were invited to craft short stories inspired by the wit and wisdom of Mark Twain and his unforgettable characters. Dive into the winning tale here!