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Rules & Submit

2026 STLYFF SCREENING DETAILS
St. Louis Public Library, Central Location
1301 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103
Saturday, April 25, 2026
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The festival is free and open to the public.
Online submission form
For more information: info@stlouisyouthfilmfestival.org

FESTIVAL OVERVIEW
The 2026 STLYFF presents films made by young people aged 8 to 24, with the total running time from 3 to 10 minutes. The films are divided into three categories: narratives, documentaries, and animations. Judging is conducted in three age-based groups:

BEGINNERS: Ages 8–13
MIDDLERS: Ages 14–18
ENDERS: Ages 19–24

A total of six films (two films from each category) will be chosen and 2 honorable mentions. An impartial panel of judges will select the films, which will then be publicly screened and followed by a brief presentation from each of the filmmakers at the 2026 STLYFF. There are no submission fees.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE
The submission deadline is April 15, 2026, by 11:59 PM CST (electronically dated). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Please read all guidelines carefully. Incomplete submissions will be automatically disqualified. Films containing defamatory material—including excessive swearing, obscenity, explicit or graphic sexual content (including nudity), violence, or gang signs and symbols—will also be disqualified. Questions or requests for clarification may be directed to: info@stlouisyouthfilmfestival.org.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Ages 8–24.
  • Open to legal residents of St. Louis City and County, Missouri, and Metro East St. Louis, Illinois.
  • All stories must be conceived, produced, and completed by youth. Parents, teachers and mentors may serve in advisory roles, assisting with filming and editing.

FILM CATEGORIES
2026 STLYFF is accepting submissions in the following categories:

Narrative: A fictional story or storyline that focuses on characters, conflict, and resolution. Narratives may be entirely imaginative or inspired by real-life events.

Documentary: A nonfiction story that presents a truthful account of reality, often featuring real individuals, interviews, and events to communicate a clear message or perspective.

Animated: A film that tells a story through animation, using drawings, paintings, or illustrations photographed frame by frame to create the illusion of movement.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

  • All submissions must be filmed and completed from January 1, 2025 to April 15, 2026.
  • Entries must be 3 to 10 minutes long (excluding title card and credits).
  • Each submission must include a title card and credits listing all contributors and roles (e.g., script/screenplay writer, actors, videographers, editors, costume designers, music, etc.).
  • It is preferred that all music be original. Any music or copyrighted material used in the film must be properly licensed and credited. When submitting, please specify any material used under Creative Commons (Fair Use Doctrine) or from the public domain.
  • All submitters will assume sole responsibility for the permission of the likeness of individuals (for example, actors or interviewers) who appear in their film.
  • The film must be in English or have English subtitles. Silent films are allowed.
  • Submissions might have been displayed publicly before or at a different festival, but they must not have been commercially distributed or shown online in any way.
  • If the submitter is younger than 18 years old, application must be signed by a guardian.

JUDGING CRITERIA
Submissions will be evaluated by an unbiased jury panel using an impartial rubric created specifically for 2026 STLYFF. Films will be judged on:

  • Storytelling and structure
  • Originality and creativity
  • Acting and direction
  • Technical quality (sound, lighting, editing)

STLYFF retains the authority to unilaterally address any situations not covered in these guidelines and to grant exceptions to the rules. Additionally, STLYFF reserves the absolute right to reject submissions at their sole discretion, without needing to provide an explanation, based on factors such as misalignment with STLYFF’s vision, rule breaches (including copyright issues, length, or genre), as well as considerations of artistic merit or suitability.

When a film is selected to showcase during STLYFF, the filmmaker must use the St. Louis Youth Film Festival (STLYFF) annualized wreath on all its promotional material (posters, press kits, teasers, film prints) during and after the festival.

HOW TO SUBMIT
Fill out and sign the online application form. Please provide the category and a YouTube Unlisted link in the application; do not forget to sign it. All selected files will be viewed at 2026 STLYFF via YouTube.

SELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT
Official selections will be announced on Monday, April 20, 2026 via email and posted on the STLYFF website.