Sonoma County Library is having its third annual SCL Teen Film Festival! Are you an amateur filmmaker? Has TikTok or YouTube awakened your passion for cinema? All Sonoma County teens ages 12 to 19 are invited to compete. Shoot and edit your own 6-minute masterpiece! A jury will then review all submitted entries and select films screened at the festival. Prizes will be awarded for the top films.

Submissions accepted: June 1 - July 31
Judging period: August 1 – 15
Winners announced: August 22
In-person film premiere: August 30, 7:00-8:00 pm at the Rohnert Park-Cotati Library

1st place = $150 Best Buy gift card + $50 gift card to local movie theater
2nd place = $50 Best Buy gift card + $50 gift card to local movie theater
3rd place = $25 Best Buy gift card + $25 gift card to local movie theater

All short films must be written, directed, and edited by teens ages 12 to 19. The filmmaker/director must be a resident of Sonoma County. All entries must be teen-produced, and may be either a group project or individual work. Adult guidance and instruction are permissible, but the planning and production must reflect teen effort. Note, however, that adults may act in and assist with your film. Films may be on any topic, but must be G or PG rated in language and subject matter, as defined by the Motion Pictures Association, or they will be disqualified. Title pages and credits should be included in your film. Unless relevant to the plot, please do not include bloopers in your submitted film. Films may be no more than 6 minutes in length including credits.
Use of sound or video clips from other films, television shows, music videos, etc. within your submitted work is not permitted unless those clips are in the public domain or you have received written permission from the copyright holder. This includes the use of trademarked products or characters. Filmmakers can also use their own original music. Additionally, copyright-free, public domain, trade-friendly or creative commons copyright music can be used. Each filmmaker may submit up to two, and no more than, two films.

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  • Shawna Majerus

    The Sonoma County Library Teen Film Festival was a delight. I enjoyed each entry and was inspired by the teen's creativity and hard work. Our daughter participated this year and says she can't wait to submit a film again next year. As a parent, this is exactly the kind of community event I want our family to support.

    September 2022
  • Sofia Piazza

    My overall experience of the festival was positive. It was well organized and the overall communication was great. I learned a lot from the guest speaker.

    It was too bad that this took place during COVID lockdown. It would have been more enjoyable to be able to see all the videos presented at a special venue. However it was fun to see other peoples films and ideas and to share the creative process. I am grateful for the opportunity and to have learned so much, finishing in the top three was exciting and an experience i will not forget.

    February 2021