Young Hearts Film Festival is an international film festival dedicated to young filmmakers and emerging creative voices. The festival focuses on film as a tool for expression, personal development and dialogue, giving space to authentic stories told by young people.

The 3rd edition of Young Hearts Film Festival will take place July 3–5, 2026, and will include film screenings, intensive film workshops, meetings with creators, as well as accompanying events such as improvised theatre performances, concerts and exhibitions showcasing young talents.

An important part of the festival is the creative process itself. The programme includes pre-festival film workshops held in several cities, as well as five-day main film workshops during the festival, where participants work on their ideas, films and creative skills in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Young Hearts Film Festival is a space for learning, creativity and courage to tell your own story. We welcome films created by young authors who want to share their perspective and take part in a meaningful artistic experience.

Awards & Prizes

Awards & Prizes

Young Hearts Film Festival awards outstanding short films and music videos created by young filmmakers.

Award Categories

Best International Short Film
• Festival award
• Festival diploma

Best Polish Short Film
• Festival award
• Festival diploma

Audience Award
• Festival award
• Festival diploma

Jury Distinction
• Festival award
• Festival diploma

Best Music Video
• Festival award
• Festival diploma

Best Workshop Film
(multiple categories)
• Festival awards
• Festival diplomas

Best ECO Short Film
• Festival award
• Festival diploma

Young Hearts Award – Young Filmmakers’ Choice
• Festival award
• Festival diploma

Prize Pool & Payment Conditions

The total prize pool of the Young Hearts Film Festival is 30,000 PLN (approximately $7,500 USD).

Prizes are awarded based on the results of the competition and the decisions of the Festival Jury and organizers.

Any financial prizes are paid exclusively by bank transfer to the bank account indicated by the award recipient.
Payments via PayPal, cryptocurrencies or any other payment methods are not available.

Prizes will be paid after the official announcement of the competition results, no later than September 30, 2026.

The Festival Organizer reserves the right to determine the final distribution of the prize pool as well as the number and structure of awards.

Rules & Terms

**YOUNG HEARTS FILM FESTIVAL 2026

SUBMISSION REGULATIONS**

1. Submission conditions

The competition accepts films produced in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

The person submitting the film declares that they hold full copyrights to the submitted work and to all elements used in the film, including music and any other materials protected by copyright law.

The Organizer shall not be held liable for any potential infringement of copyrights or third party rights.

2. Participants

The main creators of the film must be no older than 19 years old at the time of the film’s production.

The participation of one adult over the age of 18 is permitted in the role of an artistic supervisor or mentor, provided that this person is not the main creator of the film.

3. Technical requirements

Submitted films must include subtitles or a dialogue text file in Polish or English.

4. Submissions and deadlines

Film submissions for the competition are open until April 15, 2026.

Films must be submitted via the FilmFreeway platform or provided as a private link using the submission form available at
https://youngheartsfilmfestival.com
.

The Organizer will contact the creators of selected films by June 15, 2026, informing them of the selection results and further stages of participation in the festival.

5. Consent for the use of the film and image

Submission of a film constitutes consent to its free public screening as part of the Young Hearts Film Festival 2026.

The submitting party grants permission for the use of the film or excerpts thereof for promotional, informational and documentary purposes related to the festival, including use on websites, social media and in press materials.

The submitting party grants permission for the free use of the image of the film’s creators for promotional and informational purposes related to the festival.

The consents referred to above are granted without territorial or time limitations and do not entitle the submitting party to any remuneration.

6. Final provisions

The Organizer reserves the right to interpret these regulations.

These regulations enter into force on the date of their publication.
3 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • Arden Oakes

    Thanks a mill for the honourable Mention! It was a bright spot in our year and so encouraging for student work. Hopefully we can come in person one year. Keep on being brilliant!

    January 2026
    Helpful
  • Santiago Brizzolara

    Thank you very much!

    We hope to participate again next year!

    Greetings from Argentina

    July 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much! :) We are looking forward to more movies from Young Hearts in Argentina! Greetings from Poland.

  • Jay Kay

    We did not get much correspondence back after we were selected.

    July 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hi. Unfortunately, we were only able to notify everyone who qualified and then contact the winners to notify them of their prizes. We are very sorry. We will work to resolve this issue in the future.
    Best regards.

    YHFF team.