Youth Filmmaker Show – 12th annual filmmaker showcase! Only filmmakers 17 or younger could apply. We are honored that these filmmakers did not shy away from serious issues which may impress, surprise and/or inspire you.

Films and film line-up are subject to change without notice.

FROG HUNTING ON WEMOTACI STREET (La chasse aux grenouilles de la rue Wemotaci) – Thirteen-year-old Sami loves animals of all types and sizes. In this intimate short, she shares her frog hunting technique and favorite place to get away to find these small amphibians. (2023 / 4 min / Canada / dir. Samélia Newashish Dubé (age 13) / in French w/Eng subs / All ages)

STREET DRUMMER – A street drummer attracted to a passerby tries multiple ways to gain her attention. Some actions are imagined… or are they? (2024 / 4.5 min / USA / dir. Adler Tuck (age 16) / non-verbal / Ages 13+, scene of violence)

48:00:00 – A crime lord hires two inexperienced men to steal, clean, and launder money for him. It doesn’t end the way anybody planned. (2024 / 10 min / USA / dir. Madelyn Morrissey (age 16) / in English / Ages 13+, scene of violence)

THE CURSE OF THE HENDERSON TWINS – Samantha and her family move into an old house haunted by the ghosts of the Henderson twins, who died there 30 years ago. To free their souls, she must brew a potion before it’s too late. (2024 / 3 min / USA / dir. Matt Brown (age 12) / in English / All ages)

AILEEN – A young woman uses artificial intelligence to write scripts for her television show but soon finds herself in danger when her A.I writing assistant begins demanding credit. (2024 / 9.5 mins / USA / dir. Colette Germain-Norton (age 17) / in English / Ages 10+ for inferred violence)

THE ALIEN – Sometimes the ones that appear to be not fitting in… are not fitting in! The reason could be out of this world! (2024 / 2 mins / USA / dir. Eva Weitzman-Stangel (age 15) / non-verbal / All ages)

BLIND DATE – This is a story that takes place in a world where everyone presents themselves in a digitally colored mask to reflect their “unique” personality. Wyatt and Emily are set up on a Blind Date, however in an attempt to impress one another, they arrive to their date wearing each others colors! Awkward! (2024 / 4 mins / USA / dir. Nathan Danese (age 17) / in English / All ages)

CONFÍA EN MI – This is a story about a troubled kid, Miguel, who is filled with frustration and irritation when being told by his mother that they have to leave home. When reaching the border by himself, the sight of another youth being treated poorly by border patrol changes Miguel for the better. (2024 / 7.5 mins / USA / dir. Elias Godoy (age 17) / in English / Ages 10+)

JUNEBUG AND THE SUN – A close high school friendship is tested by distance and jealousy. (2024 / 5.5 mins / USA / dirs. Spencer Boggs (age 17), Ginger Craghead-Way (age 16) / in English / Ages 10+)

LES AMOUREUX – Oh relationships! When you’re in one sometimes you need to remind yourself how you got there. (2024 / 4.5 mins / USA / dirs. Alex Eramo (16), Elena Paulson (16), Bean Crosby (17), Izzy Goodbar (16), Bailey Wilberger (16), Tucker Winter (16) / in English / Ages 13+)

LILLY GOES TO THE HOSPITAL – Lilly, a 12′ tall orange Monster takes her friend Fluffle to visit patients in a hospital. What could go wrong? (2024 / 6.5 mins / Canada / dirs. Medina, Zaiyah, Ocean, Sol. / in English / All Ages)

PINECONES – Eli and Ian are best friends. But something threatens their friendship: Ian wants to be friends with the “cool” kid, Hank. Will Ian let Hank get in the way of his friendship with Eli, or will he leave and become a full-time friend of Hanks? (2024 / 3.5 mins / USA / dir. Levi Cobb (age 14) / in English / All ages)

THE MISTLETOE DART – The tale of a jealous trickster god, a seemingly harmless plant, and a mother’s tireless efforts to save her son. A mischievous retelling of a Norse myth done with cut-paper stop-motion animation by the 4th and 5th graders at Crestwood Elementary school in Madison, WI. (2024 / 10.5 mins / USA / in English / All Ages)

YOUR NECKLACE – A personal narrative of my own “Red Helicopter” moment, in which receiving kindness as a young, shy girl transformed my life story. (2024 / 4.5 mins / USA / dir. Kayla Ling (16) / in English / All ages)

THE LIGHT IN THE DARK – This film is about a 18 year old married women whose mom told her to follow her dreams of becoming a lawyer. So she tries to go to law school but they don’t let her in so she’s forced to make herself into a male. (2024 / 8 mins / USA / dir. Ashley Sanchez / in English / All Ages)

KEEP ON LOVIN’ – Are you ever too young to think about being in love in your life? For Jonah the answer is no. However, recognizing your ability to fall in love comes with the risk of unrequited love. Does he do it anyway? (2023 / 11 mins / USA / dir James Wert / Ages 10+)