NFFTY is the world’s largest, most influential film festival for emerging filmmakers 24 years old and younger. In 2024 we screened over 220 amazing short films representing 26 US states and 28 countries. We provide a first-class festival experience that includes four days of film screenings, parties, networking events, panels, and more!

We’re offering a 50% discount to all films submitted by Black, Indigenous, and Latin directors, as well as to films created by directors with disabilities and/or featuring performers with disabilities using the following codes:

BLACKSTORIES2025
INDIGENOUSSTORIES2025
LATINSTORIES2025
DISABILITYSTORIES2025

We also consider additional discount and waiver requests on a case-by-case basis. To make a request, please fill out this short form: bit.ly/NFFTYSubmissionAssistance

The 18th edition of the National Film Festival for Talented Youth will be held in Seattle, Washington, April 3rd - 6th, 2025.

Awards & Prizes

Awards & Prizes
Jury Awards - We are committed to awarding the best short films created by filmmakers 24 and under from around the world, and we will be awarding both student and non-student films in the Narrative Short, Documentary Short, Animated Short, Experimental Short, and Music Video categories, as well as best overall Episodic, for a total of eleven Jury Prizes.

Audience Awards - Each showcase, or screening block, is eligible for its own Audience Award, and our festival features around 25-30 official selection showcases at each edition. Showcases are programmed based on the submissions we receive to NFFTY curatorial sensibilities, organized by themes, moods, subject matter, genres, social issues, and more.

Other Festival Prizes & Awards - We announce additional Special Achievement Awards and Special Awards closer to the festival. We'll also have awards and recognition for notable films in the age categories of "14 and Under" and "15-18".

Distribution - All NFFTY official selections are eligible for distribution deals. NFFTY prioritizes involving curators and buyers from distribution platforms as workshop leaders, panelists, jury members, and more, so getting selected for and attending NFFTY can net you valuable industry contacts!

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms
- The film’s director(s) must have been 24 years of age or younger at the time of production.

- To be considered for a Jury Award in the Student category or other Middle/High School-specific Awards, films must be conceived, produced, and finished by filmmakers 24 years old or younger with teachers and other mentors acting in advisory roles only. If students across multiple grade ranges worked on film, the film may be ineligible for certain awards, but you are still encouraged to submit.

- Films must have been completed no earlier than January 2024.

- All music and other copyrighted material used in the film must be properly licensed and attributed. This includes Student and Non-Student Music Videos.

- All films must be in English or subtitled in English. All films that are selected are required to provide an .srt file or open captions for accessibility (English SDH) during public exhibition.

YOU MUST READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION BEFORE SUBMITTING:

View the Official Rules & Guidelines here: nffty.org/official-rules-guidelines

View Frequently Asked Questions here: nffty.org/frequently-asked-questions
113 Reviews
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Networking
  • Kiara Lin

    NFFTY was a BLAST! We are so honored to have received an Audience Choice Award for "Snow Day!" The staff and volunteers were quick, kind, and intelligent, and the culture cultivated by all of the bright young minds there reaffirmed my hopes for the industry.

    April 2025
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  • Joey LaFrance

    Had an unforgettable time at NFFTY screening our film "So Long"! There is such an incredible community of young filmmakers here, lead by a staff that is passionate and truly cares about their mission. Could not recommend NFFTY more to any young filmmaker, you NEED to submit your film!

    April 2025
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  • Jaelyn Ellis

    Can't ask for a better festival experience. The films and programming are truly exceptional, and the talent of the other filmmakers blows me away. The festival team is so kind and communicative throughout. I left feeling incredibly inspired and hoping I get to come back. <3

    April 2025
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  • Marcellyn Fisher

    coolest weekend ever, met a ton of chillers and saw a bunch of sick films. i'm hoping for an unprecedented raising of the maximum age to 25 so I can go back.

    April 2025
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  • Skye Schoenhoeft

    nffty is the bomb! great, caring people, and so much talent. 10/10 recommend

    April 2025
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