Entries are now being accepted for NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth), the largest youth film festival in the US. NFFTY 2010 will be held April 29-May 2 in Seattle and will feature 100+ films, filmmaking panels, a gala opening night, and opportunities for filmmakers to network with industry professionals, film fans, and each other. The early submissions deadline is October 31, 2009, with a final deadline of January 15, 2010.

NFFTY accepts films from anyone 22 and younger, with the youngest NFFTY filmmaker to date being 7 years old. Submission categories include: feature, short, documentary, animation, music video, and experimental. Filmmakers, educators, and industry professionals increasingly recognize NFFTY as an inspiring, innovative, and not-to-be-missed event. NFFTY’s goal is to become THE festival where the film and television industry seeks out new talent. Last year, over 75 NFFTY filmmakers attended the festival, being available for Q&A after the screening of their film, and sharing their passion with over 4,000 festivalgoers. Festival attendance for NFFTY 2010 is projected at 6,000, plus introduction of website streaming of films and the festival.

What’s So Nifty About NFFTY?

A “Grown-Up” Film Festival for Young Filmmakers.

Films are screened in state-of-the-art theaters with 150-800 seat capacity. Opening Night is a red carpet event with press wall and catered After Party. Industry professionals attend and are accessible for networking. NFFTY presents Jury and Audience awards. Distribution opportunities are available through festival partners, with scholarships and prizes for 2010 to be announced early next year. A video recap of last year’s festival can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQXKgd9T_Ng

Press Wall – NFFTY Opening Night                            Seattle Cinerama – NFFTY Opening Night

After Party  Experience Music                                     Project  Panel Moderated by John Maatta, COO CW Network

Socially Responsible.

NFFTY EARTH is the festival’s campaign to promote the power of filmmaking to make positive impacts on the environment, support social justice, and encourage international peace. NFFTY is operated as a certified carbon neutral event with paperless submission, recycled paper and soy ink for all publications, and carbon credits purchased to offset greenhouse gases resulting from travel to the festival. A special NFFTY EARTH Award is presented to the filmmaker having the best film with an environmental, social justice, or international peace theme.

NFFTY Earth Award Winners Cody Cayou,         NFFTY 2009 Awards Ceremony
Nick Clark, & Travis Tom

Created by Young Filmmakers for Young Filmmakers.

Three young filmmakers from Washington State founded NFFTY: Jesse Harris, Jocelyn Chang, and Kyle Seago. At 17, Jesse wrote and directed the feature film "Living Life", obtaining theatrical and television distribution shortly after his graduation from high school. His success resulted in young filmmakers around the globe seeking his advice including Chang and Seago, who teamed up to produce NFFTY in 2007. Jesse continues to be involved in NFFTY as its Executive Director and creative force. Jocelyn, a film student at Chapman University, heads the NFFTY EARTH team. Kyle is busy working in the film industry. NFFTY is the flagship program of The Talented Youth, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is governed by a Board of Directors that is a mix of young filmmakers and business professionals.

Co-Founders Jocelyn Chang & Jesse Harris

Groundbreaking Submissions Process.

For 2010, NFFTY has built an innovative submission system with San Francisco based Indee.TV. The system allows the entire film submission process to be paperless, including completion of online entry forms and most importantly, a secure Internet upload of films for festival review. Jesse, who brought the on-line submission idea to Indee.TV, is elated about the new system. “You wouldn’t believe how much waste and expense happens with the whole film submission process – hundreds of DVDs, mailing envelopes, and paper usually have to be sorted through and distributed out to our screening judges, and then eventually thrown away. What this new system lets us do is have judges, from anywhere in the world, log in and watch the films that have been submitted, and then immediately submit their recommendations. Plus, it saves the filmmakers the hassle of making a DVD, shipping it off to us, and then wondering if we got it OK.”

How to Submit a Film

Eligibility

· The film’s director(s) must have been 22 years old or younger at completion of filming.

· Films may be entered into only one judging category.

· All music and other copyrighted material used in films must be original or filmmakers must have obtained permission from the owner.

· All films must be in English or subtitled in English.

Visit http://www.nffty.orgto submit a film and for complete submission instructions and festival rules.

Any questions that are not addressed on the NFFTY website can be directed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . To get an 8.5” x 11” Call for Entry poster and a copy of last year’s Festival Guide, you may also contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .