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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.

STLYFF is launching with STL SHORTY SHORTS, featuring 3 to 10-minute narratives, documentaries, and animations. Six entrants will be chosen and designated 2025 STLYFF OFFICIAL SELECTIONS. They will be celebrated at STLYFF’s first festival at St. Louis Public Library, Central Library on Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 11AM-1:00PM where their short film will be presented to the public and they will discuss their work. Honorable Mention videos will be shown on monitors in a designated area at the venue, with opportunities for our guests to 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 accepted entrants will be designated a 2025 STLYFF OFFICIAL SELECTION.

Honorable mentions will be given to the runner-up in each category.

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 entries must be conceived, produced, and finished by filmmakers with teachers and other mentors acting in advisory roles only. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 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, violence, and gang signs and symbols 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, and actors).
3. The original storyline or script must be submitted.
4. 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.
5. All submitters will assume sole responsibility for the permission of the likeness of individuals (for example, actors or interviewers) who appear in their film.
6. The film must be in English or have English subtitles. Silent films are allowed.
7. Entries may have been previously shown or featured in public, at other festivals, etc.
8. 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 less than 18 years old.