I’m a parent with a DS now in a top university film production program. I believe one of the most important things he did for his college applications was screen his films at youth film festivals. Beyond the certification that earning a screening provides, youth filmmakers LOVE attending festivals like NFFTY and meeting like-minded young artists. My favorite festivals are:
- National Film Festival for Talented Youth (http://NFFTY.org) - Regular deadline tomorrow (1/3/2017), Final deadline at higher price on 1/30. In Seattle.
- All-American High School Film Festival (http://www.hsfilmfest.com/) - In New York City
- Young Arts/Presidential Scholar in the Arts (http://www.youngarts.org/) - Top winners get a free trip to Miami)
- Scholastic Arts & Writing (http://www.artandwriting.org/)
- many regional film festivals have a youth division and there are regional youth film festivals
Some tips:
- Shorter films (e.g. 3 to 5 minutes) have the best chance of getting in
- Because of the calendar, you need to do this as a Junior, or even better before (even middle school is good). Creating one or two festival-quality films for two, three, or four years is great.
- It’s a game of percentages – A strong film will get in, say, 60% of festivals to which it is submitted. A weak film maybe 10%.
- You don’t have to go the festival, but if you can attend NFFTY, AAHSFF or Young Arts you’ll be inspired and learn much from seeing your peer’s work and talking with them.
- Almost all film festival are listed at either https://filmfreeway.com/ or http://withoutabox.com
Yours,
A (retired) youth film parent