Spy Hop

09/30/2026

PitchNic is back for its 24th year. 🎬

This one-night-only event showcases four original short films created by Utah’s next generation of storytellers. Join us in celebrating new voices in film.

📆 Thursday, November 5, 2026
📍 The Grand Theatre (at SLCC)
⏰ 6–9PM

🎟️ Free RSVP: https://ow.ly/BobB50ZTjVj

09/28/2026

From reflecting on meaningful friendships to eating an over-seasoned dinner, our filmmakers took on the challenge of incorporating the 2026 Backyard Film Bash signature item, SALT, into a 7-minute short film. The results? Well, you could say they were sodium good! 🧂

In the end, only four finalists were selected. Here they are:

BEST FILM — $10,000
To Taste directed by Emily Nash

SPECIAL JURY PRIZE — $2,000
African Horror Story directed by Munashe Tanjani

SPECIAL JURY PRIZE — $2,000
Dear Saleen directed by Eden Shields Strayer

AUDIENCE FAVORITE AWARD — $2,000
Presented by University of Utah Health
There You Are directed by Alfonso Belloso

To our winners and all our finalists, thank you for making our inaugural Backyard Film Bash so special! And to those wanting to submit next year... make sure you don't "blow it." 😉🎺

09/25/2026

They say it takes a village. Ours showed up big. Huge shoutout to all our partner organizations who made the night unforgettable!

09/24/2026

Our backyard got a whole lot bigger on Saturday night! 🎬

We welcomed filmmakers, musicians, artists, and families, and boy, did you show up! 🙌

Thank you for joining us in our backyard and letting us show you what Spy Hop is all about: bringing together our creative community and uplifting youth voices! 🗣️

We can't wait to do it all again next year. You in? 🎺

09/22/2026

The calm before the storm ⛈️

09/16/2026

Meet our Backyard Film Bash Jury 🎬

These 4 Utah creatives will serve as our live jury and select the Best Film + 2 Special Jury Prizes. Together they represent a cross-section of Utah's creative community, from indie filmmaking, film scholarship and documentary storytelling to music.

Find out who takes home the $10,000 September 19th at Smith’s Ballpark ⚾

Grab your free tickets now — https://spyhop.org/events/backyard-film-bash/

09/14/2026

This is NOT your typical film festival 🎬

We challenged filmmakers across the country to create an original 7-minute short film with the signature item of SALT, for a chance to win $10,000. The submissions we got were nothing short of amazing ✨🧂

Only 12 could be chosen for the final round. So without further ado, here are your 12 final films. 🎥

This is a night you don't want to miss. Join us September 19th at Smith's Ballpark to see all 12 finalists and find out who takes home $10,000.

Grab your tickets now—link in bio! 🎟️

# shortfilmfestival

09/14/2026

Spy Hop’s first annual Backyard Film Bash is happening this September. Sign up today to join us!

09/08/2026

Can you believe it?!? We’re only a couple days away from our inaugural Backyard Film Bash! 🎬

I went around the office and asked your favorite Spy Hopper who they were bringing to the BFB!

So who are you bringing? 🤔 tag them in the comments

09/02/2026

Look at our design apprentices go! 🙌

We have so many talented artists that create the wonderful pieces you see at HachiCon, and a lot of those come from the absolutely incredible Design Apprentices at Spy Hop!!! We are consistently blown away by their talent and amazing work! Thank you so much the the 2026 Design Apprentices:

Arlo
Iris
July
Jey
Toby
Erik
Claudia
Kate
Sofi
Celestina