SUBMISSION IS NOW CLOSED - Thank you for submitting your work!
The selection notification will be released by June 10th.

Hosted by Time & Space Limited (TSL) in Hudson, New York, TRIFEST International Youth Film Festival 2026 showcases and celebrates films made by young filmmakers from around the world, aged 25 years and younger. We welcome work across all genres, including narrative, documentary, experimental, and animation, with programs highlighting both international voices and stories rooted in the local region.

*We believe money shouldn’t be a barrier - If you are a student or are in financial need, please email us at (info@trifest.org) and we will be happy to waive our fee.*

TRIFEST will take place Friday, July 24 through Sunday, July 26, 2026.
The festival opens with an opening night feature on Friday night, followed by a weekend of selected film programs, industry talks, networking events, and of course, a dance party with exciting musical guests.

This festival is for you.
Every filmmaker in our Official Selection will receive an all-access pass and is encouraged to take part in the full weekend of events. On Saturday and Sunday, we host dedicated breakfast gatherings where emerging filmmakers can connect before the day’s screenings. Saturday’s breakfast is reserved exclusively for young filmmakers, while Sunday’s welcomes emerging industry professionals for informal conversation.
Throughout the weekend, filmmakers can also gather in the Filmmakers’ Lounge in the TSL lobby. You never know who you might meet!

They might notice you.
Imagine your work being screened and seriously considered by animators from DreamWorks Animation, or your first short film catching the attention of Peter Becker, who then requests a private screening for his internal team. That’s exactly what happened last year.

In 2025, TRIFEST was joined by a wonderfully diverse lineup of guests — Diane Pearlman (Director of Berkshire Film & Media Collaborative), David Tochterman (Canvas Media Studios), Peter Becker (President of Criterion Collection), Hamish Linklater (Writer/Director/Actor), Tony Gerber (Documentary Filmmaker), Matt Penn (Producer/Director), Margie Cohn (President of DreamWorks Animation, made a special video appearance), and acclaimed emerging filmmakers Zia Anger (“My First Film”), Carson Lund (“Eephus”), and Haley Elizabeth Anderson (“Tendaberry”).

While this year’s guests are still being finalized, TRIFEST is committed to keep creating meaningful encounters between emerging filmmakers and industry leaders.

TRIFEST WEEKEND 2026
• Festival Opening Feature
• Filmmakers’ Breakfast
• TRIFEST Official Selections - Selected films for TRIFEST 2026 will screen throughout the weekend, each followed by a 15-minute moderated Q&A with the filmmakers. Several programs will be presented in partnership with local community organizations.
• Main Slate Showcase
• TRIFEST dance party
• Emerging Filmmaker Awards

Awards & Prizes

Last year, top award-winners in categories including best narrative film, best animation, best documentary, best experimental film, and best local film, received cash prizes. The details of prizes for this year will be announced closer to the time of the festival.

TRIFEST 2025 judges included: Karen Allen (Actress, “Raiders of the Lost Ark”), Margie Cohn (President of DreamWorks Animation), Molly Cooper (Executive Producer, “Grand Budapest Hotel”), Tony Gerber (Documentary Filmmaker, “War Game”).

Rules & Terms

OUR GUIDELINES

-At the time the work was completed, the filmmaker must have been 25 years of age or younger.
-Filmmakers must own or have cleared all rights to the submitted materials, including any music, story rights, or other copyrighted material.
-Films must be in English or include English subtitles, as needed.
-Film submissions must be made through FilmFreeway, and only digital submissions will be accepted.
-If your film is selected for the festival, you must be able to provide a DCP or an MP4 for screening and a film still in .JPEG format that is a minimum of 300dpi.
-TRIFEST does not accept PSAs, commercials, trailers or teasers, and any project falling into one of these categories will be automatically disqualified.

OUR SUBMISSION AGREEMENT

I affirm that I am authorized to submit this film (the FILM) to the TRIFEST International Youth Film Festival (TRIFEST), and to grant permissions related to its use. Submitting the FILM to TRIFEST constitutes my agreement with TRIFEST International Youth Film Festival LLC, the organizer of TRIFEST, that I accept all of the rules, terms and conditions set forth in this Submission Agreement and otherwise described on the TRIFEST and FilmFreeway websites.

If I am not yet 18 years old, then I affirm that I am submitting the FILM with the knowledge of my parent or legal guardian, and that my parent or legal guardian has agreed to accept the same rules, terms and conditions. I understand that if the FILM is accepted, my parent or legal guardian may be asked to confirm this agreement in writing.

I represent and warrant that the FILM is an original work. All of the people who participated in the creation of the FILM have agreed to the use of their work in the FILM. If the FILM contains any music, image, text or other intellectual property which was not created specifically for the FILM, all required licenses and permissions needed to use that music, image, text or other intellectual property have been obtained and can be provided to TRIFEST on request.

If the FILM is accepted by TRIFEST, I grant TRIFEST International Youth Film Festival LLC, the non-exclusive right to show the FILM, or clips or stills from the film, as TRIFEST sees fit, in any language or medium, including but not limited to packaging and inclusion in sponsorship deals and other business-related activities related to TRIFEST.

I grant TRIFEST, and any third parties who may be working with TRIFEST, the right to record, photograph, film or videotape my appearance and voice and to use any biographical information submitted by me (not including personal information) for marketing and promotion of TRIFEST and to publish, release, exhibit or reproduce my likeness, voice, name and statements for any purpose reasonably related to TRIFEST and its activities, such as (among other things) use on websites, in social media, news and advertising.

I acknowledge and agree that the short synopsis I have submitted when filling out the online application may be used in the TRIFEST festival guide, on the TRIFEST website, and for other promotional purposes. If needed, I agree that TRIFEST may edit the synopsis for length and grammar.

I understand and agree that the FILM is being submitted to TRIFEST voluntarily and that I will not receive any compensation for selection or exhibition of the film at TRIFEST or for any other use of the film in connection with TRIFEST. I acknowledge that no submission fee refunds are given once this application has been submitted. I also understand that the submission of the film does not impose nor create any obligation or responsibility on the part of TRIFEST to accept the film for inclusion in TRIFEST, to exhibit the film in TRIFEST, or to return the materials of my submission to me.
Any dispute arising out of or relating to the FILM’s submission to TRIFEST will be resolved through arbitration in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.