NORTHAMPTON — Calling all young filmmakers aged 21 and younger, the Northampton Youth Cinema Festival is returning this April and is now accepting submissions for the upcoming 2026 showcase.
Now in its third year since a successful student-led relaunch, the festival continues a nearly two-decade legacy of spotlighting young cinematic talent in the Pioneer Valley.
“The festival was started to provide a platform for the incredible young creative talent in our region. While there are many outlets for youth sports and traditional arts, film is a unique medium that combines technology, storytelling and performance,” explained Northampton Director of Arts and Culture Brian Foote. “Creating a festival specifically for youth ensures that their unique perspectives are centered and celebrated, fostering a sense of community among young creators who might otherwise be working in isolation.”
Established as a 17-year tradition before a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was revitalized by student filmmakers from Northampton High School. The event is produced in collaboration with the Northampton Arts Council and Northampton Open Media, with generous sponsorship from Lathrop Communities.
“The festival is more than just a screening; it’s a platform for the next generation of visual storytellers to see their work on the big screen,” said Foote. “By partnering with local students, we are ensuring that the city’s rich history of independent cinema continues to evolve with new, diverse voices.”
The 2026 festival will be on Sunday, April 26 at 6 p.m. in the Flex Room at 33 Hawley St. Filmmakers are encouraged to submit original works across all genres, including narrative, documentary, animation and experimental film. Submissions are managed via FilmFreeway at filmfreeway.com/NYCF.
Foote added the annual festival serves as a great opportunity for young filmmakers to get their work on an actual big screen.
“There is a transformative ‘magic’ in seeing your work projected on a big screen in a dark venue with a live audience. It validates the hard work these filmmakers put in and elevates their projects from ‘something I made on my computer,’ to a cinematic experience,” added Foote. “That level of professional exposure often gives them the confidence to pursue film more seriously, whether in higher education or as a career.”
To qualify, the principal creator — director, cinematographer or editor — must be 21 years of age or younger. Films must be under 30 minutes in length, though works under 20 minutes are highly encouraged due to programming constraints. Projects created for educational assignments are fully eligible for submission.
The early bird deadline for submissions is March 1, and the regular deadline is April 1. The festival’s final deadline is on April 21, and the notification date is April 24. To learn more about this year’s Youth Cinema Festival or to submit an entry, visit filmfreeway.com/NYCF.
“The event has become a staple because it’s genuinely inspiring to see the world through the eyes of the next generation,” said Foote. “My pitch to anyone on the fence: don’t worry about having the most expensive gear. We look for vision and voice. If you have a story to tell, get it on screen and share it with your community — there’s nothing quite like that feeling.”
