Austin Film Festival was the first organization of its kind to focus on the writer’s creative contribution to film. Now entering its 27th year, AFF still hinges on its original mission: to further the art and craft of storytelling. We love being able to do that with the next generation, which is why we have a FREE film competition for young filmmakers ages 13-18. At the Young Filmmakers Showcase, selected animated, documentary, and narrative show films from all around the world will play on the big screen in front of a supportive audience of festival-goers.
RULES & GUIDELINES
RULES & GUIDELINES
POSTMARK DEADLINE: SEPT 1, 2020
Shorts can be submitted in the following categories: Narrative, Documentary or Animation.
Films must be submitted either on DVD – NTSC or PAL (please test before sending) or digitally via the online submission form. Exhibition files must be encoded as h.264 in .mp4 or .mov container.
Films must have been completed after April 1, 2019. Films must be available for screening during the Austin Film Festival, October 22 – October 29, 2020
Selected films will play at the Young Filmmakers Showcase as part of the 27th Annual Austin Film Festival. Selection for screening will be determined no later than one month prior to the festival.
Films should be 12 minutes or less.
This competition is open to all filmmakers ages 13 – 18. Filmmakers must also be in middle school or high school during time of production to be eligible. Proof of enrollment required. Graduating high school before the start of Austin Film Festival does not disqualify any filmmaker.
Films will be judged based on narrative strength, strong characters, and filmmaking skill.
Selected films will receive two (2) Weekend Badges to the 2020 Austin Film Festival. These badges are intended for an accredited writer of the film and his/her legal guardian*.
AFF’s appointed jury will award one film the Young Filmmakers Program Jury Award. Only one (1) award will be given. The winner will be notified prior to the festival. In addition to receiving two (2) Weekend badges to the 2020 AFF (for the filmmaker and a legal guardian*), the winning film will receive two (2) tickets to the AFF Awards Luncheon (Oct. 24, 2020) and a reimbursement (up to $500) of one round-trip airfare to Austin to attend the festival. AFF will also put the winner up in one room for two nights’ stay at an AFF host hotel during the festival.
*No one under 21 will be allowed into AFF parties.
Questions about the competition? Please call 1.800.310.3378 or email yfpdirector@austinfilmfestival.com
ONLINE SUBMISSION FORM
For more information, contact yfpdirector@austinfilmfestival.com or give us a call at 1-800-310-3378.