PLEASE EMAIL INFO@STLOUISYOUTHFILMFESTIVAL.ORG IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE UPLOADING YOUR VIDEO. THANK YOU

ST. LOUIS YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL (STLYFF) was established by retired educator, filmmaker, and activist Thomasina Clarke in 2024 to highlight young storymakers from the Greater St. Louis region. The festival, which officially launches in 2025, emphasizes original content that can captivate, entertain, or inspire through creativity and innovation.

Six films featuring 3 to 10-minute narratives, documentaries, and animations will be showcased. These entrants will be chosen and designated 2026 STLYFF OFFICIAL SELECTIONS. They will be celebrated at STLYFF’s second festival at St. Louis Public Library, Central Library on Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 11am -1pm, where their short films will be presented to the public. Producers will have the opportunity to discuss their work. Honorable Mention videos will be shown on monitors in the lobby of the venue, with opportunities for our guests to meet and greet these creatives. A link to all selections will be made available on the STLYFF website. Students, adults, and professionals may assist with videography and editing. There are no submission fees and the festival is free and open to the public.

Awards & Prizes

The top six videos will be showcased at the festival on the main screen.

Three honorable mention videos will be highlighted on smaller screens in the lobby of the auditorium before and after the event.

Rules & Terms

STLYFF is available to all legal residents of St. Louis City and County, Missouri, and Metro East St. Louis, Illinois aged 13 to 25. Residents must provide proof of their address. All stories must be conceived by youth. Teachers and other adults may help film and edit. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, January 11, 2026, 11:59 PM EST (postmarked, electronic dating).

Incomplete submissions will be automatically disqualified from the selection process. Submissions featuring defamatory material, such as excessive swearing, obscenity, explicit or graphic sexual content including nudity, and violence will also be disqualified.

1. All submissions should be between 3 and 10 minutes long (not including the title card and credits).
2. Each entry must include a title card and credits that specify the roles of those involved in the film (for example, short story writer, script/screenplay writer, actors, videographers, editors, costume designers, music, etc).
3. Any music or copyrighted material used in the film must be properly licensed and credited. When submitting, please specify any material used under Creative Commons (Fair Use Doctrine) or from the public domain.
4. All submitters will assume sole responsibility for the permission of the likeness of individuals (for example, actors or interviewers) who appear in their film.
5. The film must be in English or have English subtitles. Silent films are allowed.
6. Entries may have been previously shown or featured in public, at other festivals, etc.
7. All participants must submit a signed Filmmaker/Guardian Release (see the form below), which must be cosigned by a legal guardian if the submitter is younger than 18 years old.