The San Diego Young Filmmakers Festival celebrates young filmmakers who love storytelling and bringing their ideas to life.

Open to students in grades 3–12, this one-day event welcomes films created both in and outside of school. Whether a project started in a classroom or at home, this is a place for young filmmakers to share their work, be recognized, and connect with others who enjoy filmmaking.

From stop motion and animation to documentary and live action, all styles and voices are encouraged. Selected films will be screened in a theatrical setting.

Our goal is simple. To bring young filmmakers in San Diego together and create a space where they feel inspired, supported, and celebrated.

We are excited to see your films!

Awards & Prizes

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Awards are presented by age group — Elementary, Middle, and High School — in the following categories:

🎬 Best Short Film – Live Action
🎬 Best Short Film – Animation (including Stop Motion)

🌟 Special Recognition (All Age Groups)
Best Story
Best Cinematography
Festival Favorite (chosen by judges for overall excellence)
Audience Favorite (chosen by audience votes)

🎖️ Additional Recognition
Selected films may be featured on our website, social media, or included in public screenings.

All official selections will receive digital laurels to celebrate their achievement.

Rules & Terms

📜 Rules & Terms

By submitting to the San Diego Young Filmmakers Festival, you agree to the following:

🎓 Eligibility
Open to youth filmmakers in Grades 3–12

Eligibility is based on age at the start of production. Filmmakers must have been 17 or younger at that time. Participants who are now 18 are eligible if they are currently enrolled in high school.

🎬 Film Requirements

Films must be made primarily by the youth filmmaker (at least 60% of the creative work).

Submissions must be short films under the following time limits:
Grades 3–5: 15 minutes
Grades 6–8: 20 minutes
Grades 9–12: 20 minutes

Films must fall into one of the accepted categories: Narrative, Animation, Stop Motion, or Documentary

Original or royalty-free music only

No copyrighted material (music, video, or images) unless the filmmaker holds the rights

All content must be age-appropriate for a general youth audience

🧠 AI Use
Films must be created through human storytelling, creativity, and editing.

AI-generated content (including storylines, characters, dialogue, visuals, or voiceovers) may not be used as a primary tool in the film’s creation.

Visual enhancements using AI (e.g., minor color correction or clean-up) are acceptable, but AI should not be used to generate scenes, animate characters, or create major visual elements.

Any film found to rely primarily on AI will be disqualified.

📅 Submission Info
Films must be submitted through FilmFreeway
Submissions must be received by the May 9th, 2026
Selected films will be notified by email
All entries must include English subtitles if the film is not in English

🎥 Theatrical Screening
If selected for theatrical screening, filmmakers may be asked to provide a higher-resolution version (ProRes or 4K)

⚖️ Legal & Rights
By submitting, you grant permission for your film to be screened at the festival and, if selected, to be showcased online or used in promotional materials
The filmmaker retains full copyright to their work
Entry does not guarantee selection or screening
The festival reserves the right to disqualify any film that does not comply with the rules
1 Review
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
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Networking
  • Seth Baella

    Amazing communication and such a kind festival host, as well as a great mission.

    June 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much, Seth! We truly appreciated having your film as part of the inaugural San Diego Young Filmmakers Festival. Your support and kind words mean a lot to us, and we’re excited to see what you create in the future!