The Scottish Youth Film Festival is an annual event held by the Scottish Youth Film Foundation, celebrating the film-making talents of Scotland's young people. It also provides them an opportunity to come together as a community and over the course of the festival explore pathways into the film industry and creative arts.

Throughout the year, groups of young people from across Scotland are invited to make short films of up to 7 minutes in length and submit them to the festival. Festival submissions are free and all films are assessed as part of the awards process.

Note that films from countries other than Scotland are not eligible and due to high demand we will be unable to watch those films.

Awards & Prizes

The 2024 festival venue and date will be announced in early 2024. The main screenings, workshops, panels, talks and award ceremonies will take place on this date, with other events happening throughout the year. The festival will strive to give those attending a professional festival experience with awards and career networking opportunities.

Rules & Terms

By entering the SYFF competition you confirm that you agree to the following Terms & Conditions:

A competition for young people living in Scotland aged up to 26 years old. All films must be 7 minutes or shorter in duration. We unfortunately cannot accept trailers into the competition.

1. To enter a competition you must be the relevant age for the category entered on the day of submission. The entry shall be made in the name of the specified Director. Note that only residents of Scotland are eligible for the festival.

2. No purchase necessary.

3. Only one entry per person.

4. No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are lost or delayed, or which are not received for any reason.

5. The winner will be contacted via email. The judges’ decision will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

6. By entering the competition the winner agrees to participate in such promotional activity and material as SYFF may require.

7. The prize will not be transferable to another person.

8. No part of a prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize.

9. Incorrectly completed entries will be disqualified.

10. It is the responsibility of the film maker to ensure that all relevant rights and permissions are secured. The film maker indemnifies the festival against any and all claims regarding copyright, etc.

4 Reviews
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  • Tim Flood

    Professional, heartwarming and planting seeds for the future in so many ways. Great to be a part of it and I thought the online format worked very well. I look forward to next year and hope to see a great many more young people enjoy the rewards of this superb opportunity.

    March 2021
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  • Lee Vann-Wakelin

    This is a great film festival for young people, it does not try to be grand or inclusive. It encourages all the young people it can reach, to take part and learn something or take something positive away.

    November 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks there. Although we're sure you mean we are inclusive! We certainly aim to be.

  • Kevin Cameron

    All the young people I've worked with, whose films have featured in the festival, really get a lot out of taking part. This year was no exception and was cheered to see well and professionally the online presentation was this year. Well done to everyone involved in making this a highlight of the year in film education in Scotland.

    November 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks kevin and we look forward to seeing you in 2021.

  • Graham Kitchener

    First class film festival! And not just a film festival. Two days crammed full of lots of young film students taking advantage of high quality workshops prior to the awards. Brilliant idea.

    November 2016
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