NFFTY is the world’s largest, most influential film festival for emerging filmmakers 24 years old and younger. In 2023, we screened over 200 amazing short films representing 32 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 Latinx directors, as well as to films created by directors with disabilities and/or featuring performers with disabilities using the following codes:

BLACKSTORIES2024
INDIGENOUSSTORIES2024
LATINSTORIES2024
DISABILITYSTORIES2024

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 17th edition of the NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth) will be held in Seattle, Washington, April 25th - 28th, 2024.

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 about 25 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 best films in the age categories of "14 and Under" and "15-18". In 2023, we gave out $8,000 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 2022.

- 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

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Honored to have screened at NFFTY 2023. I grew up attending the festival in high school, and to see my film on one of my favorite hometown theaters was a dream come true. NFFTY has an incredible sense of community, with plenty of events for filmmakers so that my team and I could meet all the wonderful people they bring together. The best youth film festival.

    December 2023
  • I compare every festival I attend to NFFTY. You can tell every person involved, filmmaker and organizers, really care about the festival and growth of the people there. The programming is always wonderful & it fosters such an open and friendly environment for the attendees. I'd feel comfortable chatting with anyone hanging around SIFF. I've screened here for 3 years & gone on to work with a number of NFFTY alumni. This past spring I was so honored to win Best Directing during my last year eligible for the festival-- I'll always look back on that weekend fondly. All the love to the NFFTY community!

    December 2023
  • Daniele Sestito

    I kind you not, NFFTY 2023 was one of the best experiences of my life. Being in the company of some of the most talented young filmmakers in the nation and watching their work was electric.

    The whole weekend was one wave of fun and inspiration after another, and I made many genuine connections there. The curation, the workshops, and the mixers were thoughtful and impressive. Though it was my first time in Seattle, I felt so at home.

    And the cherry on top is that they covered accommodations for myself and many other filmmakers. Oh, and it didn't hurt that we lucked out and got beautiful 70+ degree weather most of the weekend! (Very unusual during that time of year, as made clear to us by the locals.)

    August 2023
  • Giovanna Trujillo

    Loved going to NFFTY! It was such a great film festival and space for young filmmakers to meet and watch each other's works. NFFTY is best film festival for up and coming filmmakers.

    May 2023
  • Ethan Hawthorne

    NFFTY has my entire heart, and continues to be the premiere destination for young filmmakers. It is the most welcoming, wonderful, incredibly festival. They go way above and beyond to accommodate and facilitate networking and an experience focused on filmmakers first. It is always a pleasure to visit Seattle and experience NFFTY. If you’re under 24, submit. It’s so worth it.

    May 2023