Ipswich Film Festival for Youth

(This is for the 2024 festival) I love the fact that there is a theme each year, but that and the fact that there were free drinks and popcorn at the event are the only upsides to it. After I submitted mine, a weeks later, I got an email telling me that my film was selected to be a part of the festival and requesting me to attend. Of course I jumped at the chance to see my work on the big screen, as it was my first time entering such a festival. To paint how excited I was, I attended even though I had plans for the day, as it was on my 13th birthday. So, I turned up on the day, about 10 mins before my age group's screenings were meant to start. Once I arrived, I asked about my age group as it was announced that the next screening would be the 18 - 25 years screening. I was informed that they had only screened the winners in each category, and that it had been completed half an hour ago. I was told that mine would be shown in a online version of the event. They had not communicated this, nor had they provided an easy way to access it. I was so disappointed that I nearly cried... I doubt that this will change in coming years. They have no respect for eager young filmmakers who simply wanted to see their work on the big screen.

The Ipswich Film festival for youth is a fantastic festival for young film makers, the organisers were very warm, friendly and professional.
It was a absolute pleasure to be apart of this year's event.

DO NOT ENTER THIS FESTIVAL. This is possibly one of the worst film festivals I have ever been involved in, and has managed to mislead and scam a large number of young, first time filmmakers. After being sent an email stating that both my films were to be included in the festival AND TO ATTEND THE AWARDS CEREMONY TO SEE THEM, I drove a significantly far distance to see my films on the big screen. Arriving at the specified time, I was informed they had played my section are ! Not only this, but I was then informed that neither of my films were being shown, that they would be in the "online" version of this festival, which I can neither find nor was told would be the case. I among others was then asked to simply stay and continue watching the section. TELLING US OUR FILMS WERE SELECTED WAS SIMPLY TO GET US THROUGH THE DOOR. This behaviour is absolutely disgusting from a festival that is dealing with young filmmakers, I may have been able to handle the mistreatment but the two 12 year old girls who were told the same were absolutely devestated. I highly recommend not entering this festival if you wished not to be taken advantage of.

I was so thankful to have my film win the general submission category for ‘A Better Life’. This is such a great festival and an incredible opportunity for young filmmakers starting out in the industry! Highly recommend!

Good festival worth it to submit!