NFFTY is the world’s largest, most influential film festival for emerging filmmakers 24 years old and younger. In 2022, we screened over 250 amazing short films representing 30 US states and 39 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, Asian American & Pacific Islander and Latinx directors, as well as to films created by directors with disabilities and/or featuring performers with disabilities using the following codes:
BLACKSTORIES2023
INDIGENOUSSTORIES2023
LATINSTORIES2023
AAPISTORIES2023
DISABILITYSTORIES2023
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 16th edition of the National Film Festival for Talented Youth will be held in Seattle, Washington, April 27th - 30th, 2023.
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 a $500 cash prize to 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 and $5,500 in cash.
Audience Awards - Each showcase, or screening block, is eligible for its own Audience Award, and our festival features about 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.
The JDogg Scholarship Fund - Available to rising high school seniors to attend the college-level film program of their choosing. NFFTY is the official qualifying festival for this prestigious, transferable scholarship. This is a renewable award annually to the winning scholar. One scholar is selected per festival edition. More info at: https://www.nffty.org/jdogg-film-scholarship
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 best films in the age categories of "14 and Under" and "15-18". In 2022, we gave out $8,500 in cash awards, over $10,000 in software and gear, and over $100,000 in additional scholarships.
Distribution - All NFFTY official selections are eligible for distribution deals. We work with some of the most prestigious shorts platforms in a variety of first look deals and work closely to pair with curatorial sensibilities which will best grow an audience. NFFTY involves curators and buyers from these platforms as workshop leaders, panelists, jury members, and more, so getting selected for and attending NFFTY can net you valuable industry contacts!