Film festivals for young filmmakers

Discover which film festivals focus on shorts made by young filmmakers.

The following festivals either specialise in films made by young filmmakers, or have a strand dedicated to new works by young directors. Visit their websites for information on how to submit your film.

UK film festivals

UK film festivals for young filmmakers
Festival datesFestivalLocationWho can apply?
20 to 29 January 2023
London
 
16 to 20 February 2023
London
 
3 to 5 March 2023
Berwick upon Tweed
Open to all
2 to 5 March 2023
Cambridge
Open to young people
22 to 25 March 2023
Accrington
Open to all
22 to 26 March 2023
Glasgow
Open to all
16 to 21 June 2023
London
Open to young people
4 to 8 October 2023
Bolton, UK
Open to all
2 to 16 November 2023
Leeds
Open to all
(2023) Date not announced
Leeds
Open to all
(2023) Date not announced
Norwich
Open to all
(2023) Date not announced
Belfast
Open to young people
(2023) Date not announced
Cambridge
Open to young people
(2023) Date not announced
UK wide
Open to all
(2023) Date not announced
Cornwall
Open to all
(2023) Date not announced
Manchester
Open to all
(2023) Date not announced
Middlesbrough
Open to all
(2023) Date not announced
London
Open to all
(2023) Date not announced
Bristol
Open to all
(2023) Date not announced
London
Open to all

 

International film festivals

International film festivals for young filmmakers
Festival datesFestivalLocationWho can apply?
March 24 to 2 April 2023
Florida, USA
Open to all
27 to 30 April 2023
Seattle, USA
Open to young people
April 27 to 7 May 2023
Lisbon, Portugal
Open to all
14 to 22 September 2023
Toronto, Canada
Open to all
16 to 29 October 2023
València, Spain
Open to all
(2023) Date not announced
Bologna, Italy
Open to all
(2023) Date not announced
Varaždin, Croatia
Open to young people
(2023) Date not announced
Gijón, Spain
Open to all
(2023) Date not announced
Athens, Greece
Open to all
(2023) Date not announced
Limerick, Ireland
Open to young people
(2023) Date not announced
Tromsø, Norway
Open to young people