APPLICATION SUBMISSION PERIOD:
January 1, 2025 – January 15, 2025, 11:59p
PREPARE YOUR VIDEO NOW
Eligibility
The St Louis Youth Film Festival is open to all legal St Louis City, County, and Metro East St Louis residents who are between 13 and 25 years of age. Proof of residence is required. Professional videographers and photographers are eligible to assist youth with filming and editing ONLY.
Entry Guidelines
Movies must have been made prior to January 16, 2025.
Groups under 18 must have an adult sponsor.
Story must be 100% original and student-created. The use of copy-written material of any kind (music, video, images, etc.) without the express written consent by owner is not allowed.
All persons performing in submissions must provide a release form (attached).
All participants must have a credit stating their duty in the film (i.e. writer, script/screenplay writer, actors, etc).
Films may have been previously screened or showcased in public, at other festivals, etc.
THIS FESTIVAL IS CONTENT-DRIVEN, MEANING, WE ARE LOOKING FOR ORIGINAL STORIES THAT CAN ENTERTAIN, CAPTIVATE, AND/OR MOVE US WHILE BEING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE. Adults and/or professionals may assist with filming and editing.
Contest Submissions Guidelines
• Video submissions must 3 – 10 minutes in length, excluding credits.
• Video submission files must be in one of the following formats: .mp4, .mov, .wmv, .avi.
• Short story, script and/or screenplay must be submitted.
• The use of copy-written material of any kind (music, video, images, etc.) without the express written consent of owner is not allowed.
• Entries will be judged on the criteria outlined in the rubric.
• All participants must have a credit at the end or beginning of the film, expressing their duty in the film (i.e. writer, script/screenplay writer, actors, etc).
• Complete, and submit the Appearance Release Form (on application).
• All participants involved with this film must be 13 – 25 years of age thru January 15, 2025.
The following qualities are prohibited:
• Obscene, profane, lewd, defamatory content, data or images.
• Crude, vulgar or offensive pictures, depictions, images, language gang signs and/or symbols.
• Gratuitous violence, guns or other imagery or gestures of weapons.
• Explicit, graphic or sexual activity including nudity.
• Commercial products such as clothing, toys, food and/or their trademarks, brands, logo or endorsements.
• Music of any kind should not be used in videos unless owned or licensed by the entrant.
• License plates, phone numbers, personal addresses (physical or email) or otherwise.
• Website or web page links.
• Illegal drug or alcohol use or abuse or product images.
• Derogatory characterizations of any ethnic, racial, sexual or religious groups, humiliate other people (publicly or otherwise), any assault or threatening of others.
• Trespass or the violation of other people’s rights or property.
• Illegal (discriminatory, harassing) or inappropriate activity, behavior or conduct (i.e, inflicting emotional distress).
• Conduct or activities in violation of these Official Rules.
• Any other content, display, materials and/or images that are or could be considered inappropriate, unsuitable or offensive, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.
• Any third party materials (including but not limited to music) that may otherwise violate or infringe any of the following:
◦ Copyright, trademark, logo or mark that identifies a brand or other proprietary right of any person living or deceased (including but not limited to rights of privacy or publicity or portrayal in a false light) or entity, or is otherwise objectionable, will not be considered and may disqualify the Entrant.
◦ Clothing that is worn in the video or photo or artwork should not contain any visible logos, drawings, cartoons, phrases, trademarks or other third-party materials.
◦ All Entries must be suitable for broadcast as determined in the sole discretion of Sponsor.
◦ Entrants may not copy or otherwise plagiarize the Entry from any source.
• No Entry shall contain any content or performance that has been broadcast or streamed, published or televised on television or as part of a recording of a motion picture film or television program without permission.
• Judges have the sole discretion to determine what film will qualify as a submission. Any Entry not in compliance with the Contest Submission Guidelines will be disqualified.
• Entry submissions may not be offensive, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, nor can it defame or invade publicity rights or privacy rights of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon any person’s personal or proprietary rights. In such an event, the Entry will be disqualified from the Contest.
No materials sent to us will be returned.
Private Judging –
Preliminary Judging is a private judging round. Each film will be judged using the unbiased rubric developed for this festival. Films selected for the festival will have a Q & A talkback with participants at the end of the films screening.
Day of Judging
Judges, using the unbiased rubric devised for this festival, will determine which film make it to the festival. A public vote at the festival will determine the film that earned: favourite story, favourite twist, favourite actor, favourite actress, etc.
Deadline
The deadline to submit an entry is 11:59 p.m. CT on January 15, 2025.
Festival
Everyone is invited to the showcase. It is free and open to the public. Tell your family, friends, teachers, etc.
General Rules
• Films selected for screening will be notified by phone or e-mail.
• Entrants will be notified January 20, 2025.
Finalize your film now!
APPLICATION SUBMISSION PERIOD:
January 1, 2025 – January 15, 2025, 11:59p.