April 21-23, 2023 | Streaming April 24-30
CineYouth
Discover the next generation of filmmakers
CineYouth is Cinema/Chicago’s annual film festival for filmmakers 22-years-old and younger from around the world. All CineYouth events are free and open to the public.
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What is CineYouth?
CineYouth is the Cinema/Chicago’s annual film festival showcasing short films made by filmmakers 22-years-old and younger from around the world. Created in 2005, CineYouth encourages the talent of young filmmakers and supports diverse youth voices by providing opportunities to have their work showcased, to learn about filmmaking from industry experts, and to network with their peers. Held annually in Chicago, CineYouth offers both in-theatre and online film screenings, filmmaking workshops, live Q&A’s, and more!
Select award-winning CineYouth films are screened at the Chicago International Film Festival at the CineYouth “Best of the Fest” screening. All events at CineYouth are free and open to the public.
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CineYouth Festival 2023
Submissions are now open for CineYouth 2023! CineYouth 2023 will be held in Chicago from April 21-23 and will include screenings of Officially Selected films, hands-on workshops, and special events.
Full program and free tickets will be available April 5. All in-person screenings, Q&As, and events will take place at Facets, a Chicago-based is a nonprofit that connects people to independent ideas through transformative cinema.
Submission Guidelines
Deadlines
- Early Bird Deadline: January 23, 2023
- Regular Deadline: February 13, 2023
- Final Deadline: March 6, 2023
Eligibility
- Filmmakers must be 22 years old or younger at the time of the film’s completion. (Can currently be 23 if the film was finished while 22.)
- Films must be 15 minutes or less.
- All entries must be submitted through FilmFreeway.
- We accept the following genres: drama, comedy, animation, horror, thriller, music video and experimental.
Questions? Email: cineyouth@chicagofilmfestival.com
Our Commitment to Diversity
As a step towards a more inclusive and accessible festival that addresses the systemic inequity and underrepresentation in film, CineYouth is offering a 50% discount to all films submitted by BIPOC filmmakers, as well as filmmakers with disabilities and/or films featuring performers with disabilities using the following codes:
BIPOCVOICES2023
DISABILITYVOICES2023
Submit Now
For full submission details and to submit your film for consideration, please use the FilmFreeway link below:
CineYouth 2023 Supporters
Want to help support the next generation of filmmakers? Become a CineYouth Sponsor today…
Major Sponsor
Additional Support
This project is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.
This program is partially supported by a grant for the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
Venue Partner
Accessibility Partner
Official Agency
Official Publicity Agency
Lara Bogenrief PR
CineYouth is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.
212 W Van Buren St., Suite 400
