Since 1976, the Northwest Film Center’s annual Young People’s Film Festival has celebrated the next generation of local filmmakers—children and teens in grades K-12 from throughout the Northwest—by showcasing their work and circulating it around the region and beyond. It is one of the oldest and largest youth film festivals in the nation.
The purpose of the Festival is to provide recognition for individual talent, to showcase model examples of how media arts can be taught in K-12 schools, and to engage youth, parents, educators, and our community partners in building the Northwest regional youth media community. The Festival works in partnership with a range of youth-focused community partners to solicit entries, generate audiences, and circulate the winning selections.
Submissions are judged by a jury panel of professional filmmakers and educators. Entries are divided into two categories: the Kids Division, which includes films created by youth in grades K-8, and the Teen Division, which includes films created by teens in grades 9-12. Individual and group submissions are accepted. The annual deadline is June 30. There is no entry fee.
There are three award categories:
 |
Creative Self Expression Awards for outstanding achievement in cinematic storytelling |
 |
Heart Awards for authenticity and humane treatment of a subject |
 |
Integrative Learning Awards for innovation in integrating mediamaking with K-12 academic content |
LIVE COMPONENTS
Winner's Screening
Saturday, November 19, 1 p.m.
Whitsell Auditorium, 1219 SW Park Avenue
Presented as part of the Northwest Filmmakers' Festival (November 11-20, 2011), 20 award winners from the Teen Division will screen their films in this family friendly program of documentaries, live action, and animation. Many of the teen filmmakers will be in the audience.
FREE ADMISSION
FOLLOWED BY
Panel Discussion: So You Want To Be A Filmmaker?
Saturday, November 19, 2:30 p.m.
School of Film, 934 SW Salmon
Aimed at aspiring teen filmmakers and their families, this informal conversation with a panel of filmmakers referencing their personal experiences shows the variety of approaches to becoming a successful independent media artist.
FREE ADMISSION
ONLINE COMPONENTS - NEW!
This year, in order to reach a larger and broader audience, to increase the number of entries that can be recognized, and to allow the Northwest youth media community to engage more deeply, the Film Center is now showcasing both the Kids Division and Teen Division online. Watch, comment, and share with others from around the region and the world.
Kids Division
Teen Division
DVD COMPONENTS
Screen the Festival to your youth group, school, or community organization. The Winners Program (Teen Division) is available free of charge on DVD.
Click here to request a DVD.
If you would like to be added to the Festival contact list, click here.
