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2025 MONTGOMERY COUNTY YOUTH MEDIA FESTIVAL

The annual Montgomery County Youth Media Festival celebrates youth voices in the media arts industry in the Greater Washington, D.C. area. The annual Festival promotes the creativity and impact of young filmmakers and artists as it showcases youth talent, highlights social issues, and inspires positive action. Through screenings and dialogue, the festival fosters connections in our community.

We want to see what inspires you—your unique perspective, your creativity, and your voice. Selected works will be featured in our special event on May 10th, 2025, where we will celebrate the talent of young creators across the county. Plus, top submissions will have the chance to win awards and prizes in various categories! We can’t wait to see what you create!

Competition Guidelines

Submission Deadline:

Festival Date:

Submission Requirements:

April 6, 2025

May 10, 2025

11:00am - 1:00pm

  • Middle School or High School​ students and Young Adults

  • ages 18-25, living in Maryland, Virginia or the District of Columbia.

GRAND PRIZE: $500

Submission Mediums:
•Fine Art
•Photography
•Graphic Design
•Short Film (no greater than 10 minutes in length)
•Global Film (no greater than 10 minutes in length)

***At this time Global Submissions are closed. We are only accepting submissions from youth from Maryland, DC and Virginia. All other submissions will be disqualified.***


We encourage filmmakers to explore issues that are most important to them and their community. Subjects explored in past festival include: mental health, climate change, immigrant experiences, justice reform, digital equity and more.

FAQ’s

  • The 2025 Montgomery County Youth Media Festival will take place at the AFI Silver Theater.

    ​

    Saturday, May 10, 2025

    11am to 1pm

    8633 Colesville Road

    Silver Spring, MD

  • Media Artists from across the DC/MD/VA region are invited to participate in the competition. Those who do not live in the region will be disqualified.


    Submissions are grouped by age:
    - Middle School Students
    - High School Students
    - Young Adults (18-25)

    ​***This year we are offering a special exhibition of global films. Filmmakers aged 12-25 may submit films for consideration. There will be no cash award for the winners in the global category.***

  • March 30, 2025 at 11:59pm

  • To submit your film via FilmFreeway:
    •Please ensure your submission is exported at the highest quality possible.
    •If a password is required to view your submission, make sure the password is included in your description.

    To submit your photographs, graphic design or fine art:
    •Email your submission to festivalmanager@youthmediamd.org
    •Ensure that the images are in high resolution and in either jpg or png format.

  • You can submit the following types of work:
    •Short films (documentary, narrative, animated or experimental)
    •Photography
    •Fine art
    •Graphic design

    We encourage filmmakers to explore issues that are most important to them and their community. Subjects explored in past festival include: mental health, climate change, immigrant experiences, justice reform, digital equity and more.

    All submissions must have been produced after July 1, 2024. Media created before July 2024 will not be accepted. 

  • Action Youth Media provides free workshops, classes, and assistance to youth artists at our Studio in downtown Silver Spring.

    Sign up to use the Studio or ask our staff for help.

  • Individuals are limited to submitting only one piece for one category and age group.

  • Individuals are limited to submitting only one piece for one category and age group.

  • Minimum length for films is 1 minute.

    The maximum length for films is 10 minutes.

  • Participants will be notified of acceptance no later than Friday, April 25th. If you are concerned that you haven’t heard from us, please contact our staff

    info@youthmediamd.org

  • Yes! There will be Winner in each category, determined by our panel of judges, as well as a Grand Prize winner.

    Middle School Winner - $150 per category

    High School Winner - $200 per category

    Young Adult Winner - $250 per category

    Grand Prize winner - $500

  • Finalists in each category will have their entries screened/exhibited during the festival.

2024 MONTGOMERY COUNTY YOUTH MEDIA FESTIVAL

Check out last year’s Youth Media Festival below!