CineYouth is the Chicago International Film Festival’s yearly film festival that showcases short films made by filmmakers 22 years old and younger from around the world. CineYouth strives to encourage the talent of young artists and provide them with opportunities to tell their stories, network with their peers and be recognized for their creativity. CineYouth is free and open to the public of all ages.

CineYouth’s 16th year will be held Fall 2020 in Chicago, IL and will include screenings of Officially Selected films, hands-on workshops and special events. Approximately 70 films are accepted to CineYouth.

Select award-winning CineYouth films will be screened at the 56th Chicago International Film Festival at the CineYouth "Best of the Fest" screening (October 2020).

Awards & Prizes

One winning film in each category, which include Drama, Women Filmmakers, LGBTQ+, Chicago made films, Horror and more! Select award winners will be screened as part of the "Best Of the Fest" at the 56th Chicago International Film Festival.

Rules & Terms

CineYouth is the Chicago International Film Festival's yearly film festival that showcases short films made by filmmakers 22 years old and younger from around the world. CineYouth strives to encourage the talent of young artists and to provide them with opportunities to tell their stories, network with their peers and be recognized for their creativity.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Entries accepted December 4th, 2019 through March 6th, 2020

Eligibility
- The film's director(s) must have been 22 years old or younger at time of film's completion
- All films must be in English or subtitled in English
- All music and other copyrighted material used must be properly licensed
- The length of all submissions must be 15 minutes or less, including
credits
- Past submissions to CineYouth may not be resubmitted
- You must provide your age at the time of film completion in the synopsis.

Submission Process

- Please include your age at time of film completion in the Synopsis.
- You may submit as many films as you like, but a completed entry
form/FilmFreeway submission must accompany EACH entry.
- Programming decisions are sent via email by March, 2020.
- Because of the high volume of submissions, we are unable to provide feedback on why your film was/was not selected.
- If your film is accepted, you will be asked to provide an electronic film still (not poster image) that is a minimum 300dpi, 4×6 and high quality.

8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Samuel Johnson

    Worth submitting, been lucky to have been accepted two years in a row and it is a nice community

    September 2019
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  • Max Shoham

    Thanks, CineYouth Film Festival, for selecting my film, wavy head, in the screenings this year! Really lucky any time a film festival shows young filmmakers films on a big screen before a live audience. It's a privilege and an honour to be allowed to spend my time telling stories!

    June 2019
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  • Jess O'Brien

    Such an amazing festival to be a part of. We were honoured to be selected and thank the organisers for exhibiting our work. We can't thank you enough!!

    May 2019
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  • Connor O'Keefe

    Fantastic and incredibly accommodating staff who truly believe in the mission of their Festival, Cineyouth is a great venue for young filmmakers to hone their voices have have their work seen. It certainly doesn't hurt that it's hosted at the Music Box as well! Very communicative, and responsive team. The weekend is filled with good opportunities for filmmakers in attendance. I definitely recommend taking a look at the pitching session.

    May 2019
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  • Anastasia Comelli

    Such an amazing festival to be part of that celebrates young talent. Unfortunately could not attend the festival but the there was a great energy of communication. Will continue to submit to this festival and I’m so proud my film ‘Nostos’ could be part of it.

    May 2019
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