American Youth Film Festival

Theme: Lights. Camera. Action! For the Love of Film ________________________________________ Overview The American Youth Film Festival™ is an opportunity for the youth to showcase their movie making skills. Many young people regularly produce movies that are then posted on websites such as YouTube and Facebook. We want to capture that interest and channel it to understand the “love of film or film making” through the eyes of youth filmmakers. Who Can Participate? The American Youth Film Festival™ is open to ALL YOUTH regardless of race, creed, or national origin that are currently enrolled in elementary school, middle school, high school or college. Suggested film submissions and EARLY BIRD entry fees will be in one of four categories, elementary school ($20.00), middle school ($30.00), high school ($40.00) or college ($50.00). Film must be works directed and/or produced by elementary school, middle school, high school or college students. Adult supervision must be limited to an advisory capacity only. Also, recent trailers or self-tapes may be submitted for Best Actor/Actress, Best Young Actor/Actress and Best Supporting Actor/Actress categories. All film (national and international) may be submitted into only one category, however, film makers may submit additional entries with separate forms and entry fees. All entries have specific time limits including titles and credits unless otherwise noted. The American Youth Film Festival is a family event therefore, NO ENTRIES MAY CONTAIN NUDITY, PROFANITY or EXCESSIVE VIOLENCE. Failure to adhere to these requirements will immediately disqualify entry and NO REFUNDS WILL BE AWARDED. By submitting your entry to The American Youth Film Festival you give us full permission to download a digital copy of your video as well as playing it during the festival week via projector and online. All films must be in the following format: What format does FilmFreeway recommend for video uploads? FilmFreeway accepts all major video formats. We transcode videos for playback compatibility and performance, and recommend that you use settings close to our output settings: Maximum video bitrate: 2200 Kbps, H.264, mp4 Audio bitrate: 128 Kbps, AAC Aspect ratio preserved; maximum video width of 1280 pixels "Official Selections" or film chosen for screening will be required to mail (2) FLASH DRIVE copies of their video for viewing during the festival to: American Youth Film Festival 352 University Ave. SW #S102 Atlanta, GA 30310 Animation – any animated movie, not more than 10 minutes Comedy - any comedy film, not more than 10 minutes Commercials – any 60 second commercial of local businesses* Documentary – any documentary not more than 15 minutes Feature – any narrative film not more than 30 minutes Horror - any horror film not more than 10 minutes Music Video – any music video not more than 5 minutes Public Service Announcements – any 60 second PSA* Science Fiction – any sci-fi film not more than 10 minutes *NOTE: The American Youth Film Festival suggests that all filmmakers submitting in the Commercial & Public Service Announcement categories partner with a local business or a non-profit entity to produce their submission. In cities and towns across America there are small businesses or groups that will support student filmmakers in exchange for a 60 second commercial. Additionally, it is strongly suggested that filmmakers research people, places, monuments and special-interest causes in their local area and consider subjects with historical significance for documentary submissions. NOTE: Film trailers are eligible for consideration in the Best Actor/Actress and Best Supporting Actor/Actress category. The American Youth Film Festival Movie Poster Contest: The American Youth Film Festival Movie Poster Contest is open to all elementary school, middle school, high school and college students. Movie posters must be based on an official American Youth Film Festival entry. Photographers, graphic designers, animators, multimedia artists, etc...partner with student film maker to create a movie poster based on the film maker's AYFF submission. The poster may be based on movie stills or may be a caricature design. Each American Youth Film Festival Movie Poster entry must be: 1. Digital submission only. 2. 1275 x 1800 pixels (18 in. x 24 in.) with one half inch white border. 3. Saved as .jpg (JPEG) in RBG format not to exceed 3MB. All American Youth Film Festival Movie Poster "Official Selections" will be displayed in a slideshow on the American Youth Film Festival website. A select number of posters will be selected for exhibition and featured in a separate exhibit at the American Youth Film Festival. Remember to "Be creative, use props and let your imagination run wild, but most of all have fun!"