NEXTWAVE YOUTH MEDIA SHOWCASE is a celebration of short films and videos made by high school youth at the annual Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF), taking place this year from April 11-25, 2024. Presented in partnership with the Twin Cities Youth Media Network, the showcase provides a high profile exhibition opportunity for young and emerging media makers in our community at the largest film festival in the region, and one of the longest-running film festivals in the U.S.

The NEXTWAVE YOUTH MEDIA SHOWCASE will take place at MSPIFF’s homebase venue, The Main Cinema, in Northeast Minneapolis. The free showcase on Sunday, April 14 will be followed by a reception for participating youth, friends and families, peers and mentors from youth-serving media arts organizations in the Twin Cities.

MSPIFF champions artists from all backgrounds and stages of their careers. We promote the art of film as a medium for fostering cross-cultural understanding, education, entertainment, and exploration. Whether at screenings, Q&As, panel discussions, receptions, or parties, MSPIFF offers its 45,000+ attendees exciting opportunities to experience the wealth of international cinema and to engage with 150+ visiting filmmakers and talent from around the world.

Rules & Terms

~ ELIGIBILITY & GUIDELINES FOR FILM AND MEDIA ~

I. This year, submissions must be made in Minnesota by Minnesota high school youth, ages 14-18, not in a college or university at the time of the production.
II. Submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2023.
III. Submissions must be 15 minutes or less.
IV. Submissions can be fiction, documentary, animation, experimental or VR.
V. Works in progress will not be considered unless they are far enough along to be completed by March 1st (see requirements below). If your work is not final, please list anything yet to be completed.
VI. Submissions to Nextwave must be original and not copied from others. Media that uses unlicensed music may be disqualified from participation.
VII. All minors that appear in submissions must have the consent of their parent or guardian to participate and appear. For more information about release forms: https://downloadreleaseforms.com/need-release-form-filmmaking-videos/

~ TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS ~

Upon selection, submitters must provide festival staff with a high resolution video file for movie theater exhibition (.mov preferred), a high resolution still, and a brief description of the film with any content advisory notes if needed

Beyond the showcase: MSPIFF will produce a password protected Vimeo playlist compilation of final showcase selections to be shared with participating youth media makers, staff at Twin Cities Youth Media Network organizations, and others for educational purposes only. Unless specified otherwise, submitters agree to have their work in this reel if their work is selected for the showcase.