CineYouth Film Festival

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 encourages the talent of young filmmakers and supports diverse youth voices by providing opportunities to have their work showcased, to learn about filmmaking from industry experts, and network with their peers. CineYouth 2026 will offer free film screenings, filmmaking workshops, live Q&A’s, and more!

Select award-winning CineYouth films will be screened at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival at the CineYouth "Best of the Fest" screening (October 2026).

As a step towards a more inclusive and accessible festival that addresses the systemic inequity and underrepresentation in film, CineYouth is offering a 50% discount to all films submitted by BIPOC filmmakers, as well as filmmakers with disabilities and/or films featuring performers with disabilities using the following codes:

BIPOCVOICES2026
DISABILITYVOICES2026

One winning film in each category, which include Animation, Chicago, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental, International, and Rising Star! Select award winners will be screened as part of the "Best of the Fest" at the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival.

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 encourages the talent of young filmmakers and supports diverse youth voices by providing opportunities to have their work showcased, to learn about filmmaking from industry experts, and network with peers.

*Please only submit to one category*

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Entries accepted November 1, 2025 through February 16, 2026.

Eligibility

- The film's director(s) must have been 22 years old or younger at the time of the film's completion. (Can currently be 23 if the film was finished while 22.)
- All films must be in English or subtitled in English.
- All music and other copyrighted material used must be properly licensed.
- The film’s total running time must be 15 minutes or less, including credits.
- Past submissions to CineYouth may not be resubmitted.
- The filmmaker’s age at the time of the film’s completion must be provided in the synopsis.

Submission Process

- Please include your age at time of film completion in the Synopsis.
- Multiple films by an individual filmmaker or group may be submitted, but a completed FilmFreeway submission must accompany EACH entry.
- Notifications of programming decisions are sent via email in March 2026.
- If your film is selected, you will be asked to provide an electronic film still (not poster image) that is a minimum 300dpi, 4×6 and high quality.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Jonas Serpa Souza

Thank you so much to CineYouth for being the Chicago Premiere for my film, SOLDIERS. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience!

Screening our film for a sold-out audience at FACETS was a literal dream come true.

Thank you again to the CineYouth team for creating such a welcoming space for filmmakers and film fans alike!

May 2026

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Sophie Hampson

So proud to have our film Washed Up selected for CineYouth this year. The festival had brilliant programming, easy-to-access virtual screenings and excellent communication all round.

Loved the online meet & greet that allowed filmmakers to connect from across the world, especially great for those of us who couldn't be there in person. Thanks to everyone who made it happen!

May 2026

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Zachary O'Connor

So honored to have been selected for CineYouth 2026! Such a fantastic festival, and screening at Facets was so cool!

April 2026

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Dahlia Kressler

I could not have been more thrilled by the CineYouth Festival and their team. A warm and welcoming crew of programmers who recognized me and my film immediately. I loved the photo opportunities (the Polaroid moment was so CUTE!) and getting to invite my friends in town to share in the moment with me was very special. My film block was incredibly well curated; I was impressed by my fellow filmmakers during our Q&A and the curator who asked us questions was incredibly thoughtful and well spoken. This was an incredible experience overall and while I can't submit again, I would highly recommend it to other young filmmakers!!

April 2026

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L-J ShenFilerman

A fantastic festival with wonderful people and beautiful films. Would highly recommend. Very grateful to have had my film "A Story of Nanjing" selected, and to have met the other filmmakers and programmers.

April 2026

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