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.

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 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!

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 in the Student category.

- Films must have been completed no earlier than January 2021.

- All music and other copyrighted material used in the film must be properly licensed and attributed. This includes 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
78 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
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  • Will Ammann

    The best place to be if you're a young filmmaker.

    September 2022
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  • Emilio Miguel Torres

    Alright y'all... NFFTY is not just the best film festival for young filmmakers, it may be one of the best festivals ever (and it just happens to cater to younger artists). It is such a fun experience and so so so worth it for all who qualify to enter. An amazing time with incredible films and you will meet future collaborators and make beautiful friendships.

    July 2022
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  • Justine Prince

    One of the best festival for young filmmakers. Really professional, good communication and great organisation. Thanks for offering me money for a plane ticket to attend the festival, so sorry I couldn't make it!

    July 2022
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  • Raza Tariq

    The one consistent and remaining source of support I have received in my career has always come from NFFTY. NFFTY know all of their filmmakers and care not just about curating a strong, notable programme of films every year or making headlines, but about truly nurturing talent through a bespoke and intimate approach towards everyone within the vicinity of the festival. Over the short period of time really that the festival has existed, they have cultivated such a community and surrounding culture which I and many others are going to benefit from for the rest of our lives. NFFTY is not just a fun event every year which I can forget about and come back to, but an actual traceable catalyst from which everything I do today stems, and that's not by accident but by the design of everyone who works to make the festival happen.

    June 2022
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  • Miro Alleyne-McCarthy

    A great festival, brilliantly run. Communication was awesome. Really proud to have had my film shown both physically and online. Participated in a great discussion session. Top recommend.

    May 2022
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