This year we received more than 70 film contest submissions from youth all over the country in response to this year’s theme: “I’m All For Free Speech, BUT…” After viewing all the entries, we chose the top ten films — some personal, some provocative, some profound, some just plain fun! We congratulate the semifinalists and all our applicants for their hard work and excellent ideas! This year’s semifinalists are:

Blanca Barrera & April Dash
Lizzie Boone, Kya Gibson, & Christian Serra
Aaron Dunbar
Evangeline Fachon & Lindsay Tomasetti
Aidee Guzman
Moriah Love, Lauren Wirth, Jacob Waddle & Lauren Brunn
Sarah Phan & Lyndi Low
Tate Phillip
Zach Redpath & Daniel Nan
Allison Reed

Watch their films here!

The top three winners will be flown to New York City for the Youth Voices Uncensored event in the spring!  They will also be awarded cash prizes of $1000, $500, $250, and the first place winner will receive a $5000 partial scholarship to the New York Film Academy or a one week digital filmmaking workshop.

Films are judged on content, artistic and technical merit, and creativity. Our renowned panel of judges include:

Jordan Allen, 2009 YFEP Film Contest 1st Place Winner
Tom Shadyac, filmmaker/screenwriter (including Ace Ventura, Liar Liar, and Evan Almighty)
Cecily von Ziegesar, author of young adult books Gossip Girl
Debra Zimmerman, Executive Director of Women Make Movies, a non-profit NY based film organization which supports women filmmakers
New York Film Academy

Stay tuned for more information about our Youth Voices Uncensored event in the spring, where we will award our winners and announce next year’s contest!

Visit YFEP’s website to learn more about our film contest.