Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Seven Issues Film Festival, a global platform dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the creative voices of young filmmakers addressing the most important global issues. With a focus on impactful storytelling, the festival features animated, fiction, documentary, and experimental short films from talented creators aged 18 to 30.
The Seven Issues Film Festival highlights seven pivotal global topics of the International Youth Media Summit: Discrimination, Environment, Health, Poverty, Violence, Women’s Rights, and Youth Empowerment.
Our mission is to raise awareness, inspire action, and provide a platform for young filmmakers to present their perspectives on these pressing issues. Over two screening nights, the festival will showcase 28 short films—four outstanding works for each category—selected by a committee of seven acclaimed young filmmakers and storytellers. This curated selection ensures diverse and thought-provoking content that resonates with audiences worldwide.
Why Submit?
- Be part of a global movement for change under the umbrella of the International Youth Media Summit.
- Have your film screened in front of an engaged and socially-conscious audience.
- Gain recognition with official selection laurels and certificates.
Eligibility
- Open to filmmakers aged 18 to 30.
- Films must address one of the seven issues and not exceed 15 minutes.
- Animated, fiction, documentary, and experimental films are welcome.
- Non-English films must include English subtitles.
Key Dates
- Submission Deadline: June 1, 2025
- Official Selection Announcement: June 20, 2025
- Festival Screening Nights: July 27 - 28, 2025
Submissions are free of charge and open worldwide. For more details on the submission process and festival guidelines, please visit our official website, www.iyms.org.
Join us in using the power of film to spark conversations, challenge perspectives, and inspire action. We look forward to seeing your stories on the big screen!
This festival is co-funded by the European Union (European Solidarity Corps, Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes). This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
• Grand Prix
• Audience Award
• Best Film (Discrimination)
• Best Film (Environment)
• Best Film (Health)
• Best Film (Poverty)
• Best Film (Violence)
• Best Film (Women's Rights)
• Best Film (Youth Empowerment)