April 25–27, 2025
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.
Submissions for CineYouth 2025 are now open!
Submit Now
See below for full details.
CineYouth Festival 2025 Submissions
Submissions for CineYouth 2025 are now open!
Submission Deadlines
- Early Bird Deadline: January 17, 2025
- Regular Deadline: January 31, 2025
- Final Deadline: February 14, 2025
- Notification by March 24, 2025
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, documentary, horror, thriller, music video and experimental.
Questions? Email: cineyouth@chicagofilmfestival.com
Learn More
For full submission details, check out the CineYouth submission page on FilmFreeway using the link below:
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:
BIPOCVOICES2025
DISABILITYVOICES2025
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CineYouth 2024 Information
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.
CineYouth 2024 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
Official Agency
Accessibility Partner
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
