Cinemagic Young Filmmaker 2026

2026 REGULATIONS (YOUNG FILMMAKER)

We are looking for imaginative and original films made by young people (Aged: 25 or Under) to be screened as part of CINEMAGIC YOUNG FILMMAKER 2026.

The films can be about anything at all! Fact or fiction, comedy or drama, news programme; music video or documentary.

CINEMAGIC YOUNG FILMMAKER 2026 will take place during the CINEMAGIC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE in October 2026. The event will showcase the best short film entries of the year and we will also be producing a series of workshops and master classes with renowned members of the film and television industry. A prize will be presented to the Young Filmmaker of the Year in each award category - the winning entries will also be screened ‘IN COMPETITION’ during the CINEMAGIC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE in 2027.

RULES AND REGULATIONS:
*Young Filmmaker is organised by the Cinemagic International Film Festival for Young People based in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
*Young Filmmaker shortlisted films will be exhibited in live venues in Belfast, N. Ireland in October 2026 (Screening dates TBC).
*The competition exhibits films made by children and young people.
*The competition is open to anyone aged 25 and under from or living in the UK and Ireland.
*We welcome submissions from individuals or groups of friends, youth and community groups and schools and colleges.
*If you are submitting a youth/community or school project the majority of the people involved in the production must be aged 25 years or under. Although we understand these projects are often mentored by adults the production must be predominantly led by young people and young people must have devised the script/story. Young People must also have been involved in the technical side e.g. using camera/sound equipment and been involved in the edit.
*Film entries will be sorted into categories depending on age & genre. On occasions specific categories are added that are determined by the make-up of entries received in that particular year.
*The short films must have been made after last year's competition deadline of July 2025. Any entries made pre-July 2025 will not be accepted.
*Previous submissions will not be accepted.
*Films submitted must be no longer than 10 minutes in duration.
*All entries must be received digitally.
*Entry to the competition is FREE.
*The competition deadline is 3rd August 2026.
*Not all films entered into the competition will be shortlisted and screened.
*A panel of film professionals will judge each entry and their decision is final.
*Successful entries will be informed before the 1st September 2026. If you have not received any communication from Cinemagic by this date then your film has not been selected for participation in the event.
*A programme of short listed films will be exhibited during the 2026 Cinemagic Festival.
*It is your responsibility to obtain all permission and releases from all persons (or the parent/guardian of any young persons) appearing in the film or any associated photo/still images.
*It is your responsibility to ensure you have the right to show the film to a public audience (e.g. secured all music and image rights). If you do not have the permission to use the music/images or any other copyrighted content in your film you cannot submit the film into the competition.
*In submitting your film you agree to all the competition regulations and confirm that all the information you have provided is true and accurate.
*Please make sure the spelling of all the names of cast/crew are correct on the entry form.

Please note: For any Young Filmmaker under 18 all direct correspondence between Cinemagic and the Young Filmmaker must be made via a parent/guardian.

HOW TO ENTER - Via FilmFreeway (Preferred)

HOW TO ENTER - Standard Alternative
Please email an online screening link to your film along with an entry form to chris@cinemagic.org.uk

Entry forms are available to download from the Cinemagic website https://cinemagic.org.uk/young-filmmaker/

The competition deadline is 3rd August 2026.

PLEASE NOTE: THE COMPETITION IS ONLY OPEN TO YOUNG FILMMAKERS AGED 25 AND UNDER FROM OR LIVING IN THE UK AND IRELAND.

FILMS ARE TO BE NO LONGER THAN 10 MINUTES.

For more information contact Chris Shaw at Cinemagic. Email: chris@cinemagic.org.uk