Youth Media Contests & Festivals
Throughout my work with youth media producers, I've thought a lot about ways to share their work beyond local events and the world of YouTube. In doing so, I've developed a growing list of youth media contests. Since most of my background is in film production, the vast majority of these contests and festivals revolve around the world of film,
Please contact me if you have any problems with or additions to this page. I'd love to hear about more opportunities for youth media producers to share their work with a broader audience.
Please contact me if you have any problems with or additions to this page. I'd love to hear about more opportunities for youth media producers to share their work with a broader audience.
National & International Contests
CineYouth (http://www.cinemachicago.org/cineyouth/): Part of the Chicago International Film Festival, CineYouth highlights work by young producers under the age of 20..
Do It Your Damn Self!! (http://www.diyds.org/): One of the longest-running youth media festivals in the United States, this Cambridge-based program is inspired by youth who want to send their own message rather than passively accept what mass media says.
Media That Matters (http://www.mediathatmattersfest.org/submit): A contest that highly encourages youth producers to submit their work focused on igniting social activism, winners are given the opportunity to work with Media that Matters™ on a production to be released to a global audience.
Reel Teens Festival (http://www.reelteens.org/festival.html): Based in the Village of Hunter, NY, this festival screens a number of films by youth from a variety of countries, and there is no application fee to submit a video.
Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards (http://www.artandwriting.org): Run by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, this award ceremony is a great option for young people interested in sharing their writing or visual art products.
Social Issue Media Festival (http://www.socialissuemediafest.org): From Columbia College in New York City, this festival encourages filmmakers to express their concerns about social issues in short (2-3 minute) films.
Tower of Youth Festival (http://www.towerofyouth.org/): From Sacramento, CA, this long-standing youth film festival is a great place to share and try to gain some recognition for your work.
Do It Your Damn Self!! (http://www.diyds.org/): One of the longest-running youth media festivals in the United States, this Cambridge-based program is inspired by youth who want to send their own message rather than passively accept what mass media says.
Media That Matters (http://www.mediathatmattersfest.org/submit): A contest that highly encourages youth producers to submit their work focused on igniting social activism, winners are given the opportunity to work with Media that Matters™ on a production to be released to a global audience.
Reel Teens Festival (http://www.reelteens.org/festival.html): Based in the Village of Hunter, NY, this festival screens a number of films by youth from a variety of countries, and there is no application fee to submit a video.
Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards (http://www.artandwriting.org): Run by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, this award ceremony is a great option for young people interested in sharing their writing or visual art products.
Social Issue Media Festival (http://www.socialissuemediafest.org): From Columbia College in New York City, this festival encourages filmmakers to express their concerns about social issues in short (2-3 minute) films.
Tower of Youth Festival (http://www.towerofyouth.org/): From Sacramento, CA, this long-standing youth film festival is a great place to share and try to gain some recognition for your work.
Specific Local Contests
Greater Philadelphia High School Film Festival (http://www.filmtechschool.com/filmfestival.html):For high school students in the Philadelphia area, this is a great opportunity to get your work shown to the community.
Who Are You? Youth Media Festival (http://www.wideanglemedia.org/mod/pages/index.php?menu=youth_media_festival): An opportunity for Baltimore-based young producers in grades 5-12, this festival supports youth who create in wide range of media.
Who Are You? Youth Media Festival (http://www.wideanglemedia.org/mod/pages/index.php?menu=youth_media_festival): An opportunity for Baltimore-based young producers in grades 5-12, this festival supports youth who create in wide range of media.