WXXI Public Media and The Little Theatre are proud to sponsor the Rochester Teen Film Festival, a collaborative, juried media competition open to youth (13-18 years old). The event honors the work of urban, suburban, and rural teen filmmakers and provides young people an authentic opportunity to participate in a real film festival.

Awards & Prizes

All submissions are judged by a jury and finalists will have their films shown at The Little Theatre (240 East Avenue, Rochester, NY) on Thursday August 6, 2026. Filmmakers selected as part of this year’s festival will also have a chance to earn one of the following four awards, each of which comes with a cash prize:

Awards:
The Philip Seymour Hoffman Award
This Award honors the life and legacy of the late Academy Award-winning actor and Fairport, New York native. The annual award is given to the teen whose film is chosen by the judges as “Best of Fest.”

Alex Ketchek Award for Best Animated Film
This Award is presented in memory of Alex Ketchek, a 2010 Rochester Teen Film Festival finalist who tragically passed away in 2013.

The Jack Garner Award for Best Director
This Award is presented in memory of long time RTFF jury member and much beloved and spirited national film critic, Jack Garner.

The Marilyn O’Connor Award
Marilyn O’Connor has been fighting for equity and justice throughout her life and this award goes to the film that best addresses a social issue through the lend of compassion.

Rules & Terms

- Applicants must be between 13 and 18 years old.
- Films should not exceed 10 minutes. 
- All films should feature original content.
- Films should be appropriate for all audiences
- Adults may perform as talent for films but may not take on any duties in the writing, directing, filming, editing, or production of the films.