The iGen Film Festival will take place November 6th - 9th, 2025 in Historic Overtown. The mission of the iGen Film Festival is to educate the youth about magic in front of and behind the lens through our annual 3-day cinematic event filled with empowering and educational activities! Our goal is to reach the broadest possible audience and to generate international dialogue through cinema. The festival not only looks to celebrate and inspire the youth to develop their technical and creative skills, but to also sine a spotlight on people of color in film, arts, and culture.

We are delighted that every year, we draw a packed house. Our community shows its support for essential films and aids us in maintaining our success as a promoter of arts, culture, and education.

The iGen Film Festival looks to promote a new generation of emerging youth filmmakers who are enriching social justice and human rights. This year’s festival will include engaging and thought-provoking films, expert speakers, and audience interaction.

The festival will provide a platform for film creatives to find their voice in to reimagine the future through the art of storytelling. Dream beyond the ordinary, create with fearless originality, and transform the way the world sees tomorrow.

The creative force behind the festival is Elijah Wells; Writer, Actor, Producer, and President/CEO of Elijah Wells Films. Elijah Wells has become a staple brand in the film industry, specializing in documentaries, filmmaking, and music videos.

Elijah produced the short film “The Gift,” which was the American Black Film Festival’s 2012 Community Short Film Showcase winner. Key industry leaders and mainstream stars, which include; Jeff Friday, Founder of the American Black Film Festival, Robert Townsend, Spike Lee, Omari Hardwick, Jo Marie Payton, and Romeo Miller, have supported Elijah throughout his journey behind the lens. The Miami Times classified Elijah Wells as “one of our very own indie filmmakers”.

Therefore, we welcome and appreciate your contributions to this event, which will not only help build awareness around emerging filmmakers but also shine a spotlight on film, arts, and culture.

Awards & Prizes

Short Film $250.00
Short Web $250.00
Documentary $250.00
Video $250.00

Rules & Terms

The iGen Youth Film Festival will take place November 7th - 9th, 2025 in Miami. This event is for students ages 13-25.

This year, we invite young filmmakers to reimagine the future through the art of storytelling. Dream beyond the ordinary, create with fearless originality, and transform the way the world sees tomorrow. The categories are Short Films, Short Webs, Documentaries, and Music Videos. Each should be no longer than 20 minutes, music videos no longer than 7 minutes.

Please provide the CORRECT direct mailing address, phone number(s), and email(s) to be alerted of any awards or information about the film festival.

File Formats: MP4, AVI, or QuickTime.

HD Resolution: 1280x720 (720p, 16:9 aspect ratio),
or 1920x1080 (1080p, 16x9 aspect ratio).

TERMS & CONDITIONS
The deadline for receiving entries is October 1st, 2025 at 11:59 pm.
By submitting your entry, the applicant

(a) Certifies that the exhibition of the submitted entry will in no way violate any copyright laws or any other rights of any person, film, or corporation and

(b) Accepts all responsibility relating to – and indemnifies and holds harmless Elijah Wells Films, and all other sponsors and their representatives from – any and all disputes and liabilities arising from any such claims by a third party.

In addition to agreeing that the material is clear of all copyright concerns, you are granting iGEN FILM FESTIVAL the rights to show your video or images from your video, in part or in their entirety, during the iGEN FILM FESTIVAL and for use in promotional materials related to the contest in print, electronic, or digital form at any time, before, during and after the contest.

Unless you specifically direct Elijah Wells Films not to do so, by entering your work in the contest you are granting permission for your video to be included as part of a compilation video showcasing contest entries.. If you do not wish your entry to be included in the compilation video, you must provide a written affidavit with your video entry upon submission.

Applicants who do not follow these rules and regulations will have their entry returned and be disqualified from the competition.

The laws, rules, regulations, award amounts, number of awardees, eligibility criteria, funding per program, etc., are subject to change at any point prior to, during, or after application through the iGEN Film Festival Short Film Competition.

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  • Roman Korzhuk

    We wish you prosperity. Thanks to the film festival for the opportunity to show their films. Be young and developing. Stay safe.

    November 2021
    Helpful
  • Jefferson Elliott

    I really appreciate the attention the IGen pays to documentary films. This segment is often slept on and IGenFF selected some truly great pieces.

    November 2019
    Helpful