The submission to the 23rd edition of youth and children's film festival Just Film is now open. For the first time, young people worldwide are welcome to submit their films to the #youngfilmmaker international competition programme.

The biggest subfestival of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival - the youth and children’s film festival Just Film - opens international submission for young filmmakers. For the first time ever, young people worldwide are welcome to submit their films to the #youngfilmmaker international competition programme. This is a unique opportunity to participate in the biggest A-category film festival in Northern Europe.

The #youngfilmmaker programme was introduced in 2021 with the aim to bring short films made by Estonian young people to the big screen. In parallel, a scholarship competition was launched to financially support creative ideas and their execution. Last year was a massive success with 13 of such films shown to sold out screenings. Additionally, the winners of local youth film festivals will be competing for the #youngfilmmaker grand prize.

This year Just Film opens the door to all the young film enthusiasts around the world aged 7-19 years, who wish to attend the biggest film festival in Northern Europe. The submissions for the youth short films are open from the 1st March 2023. “Just Film is a global meeting place for young filmmakers and a world-class youth film festival,” says the Just Film programme director Mikk Granström. He adds: “You always have to dream and think big. Thus, we are entering the #youngfilmmaker programme to the big, international arena, so all school children all over the world could apply to an A-category youth festival.” There are no restrictions to the choice of genre. However, the minimum requirement for the submitted films is their international premiere. All the films will be carefully evaluated by the Just Film programme team, selecting the best, who will go up against the scholarship recipients and the best of the local festival winners. Last year the #youngfilmmaker grand prize was presented during the official BNFF award ceremony.

In addition to the extraordinary opportunity to premiere their films at an international film festival, the youth selected to the programme will gain access to the biggest film industry gathering in the region Industry@Tallinn. Starting from this year, Just Film’s own Industry programme will commence, a special networking and workshop event for film professionals, offering young filmmakers an opportunity to broaden their professional connections and receive world-class film education.

Films can be submitted via FilmFreeway. For detailed regulations, click here.

Just Film takes place from the 3rd to the 19th November 2023.

For more information and questions contact:
Mirel Mesila
Youth and Children’s Film Festival Just Film project coordinator
mirel.mesila@poff.ee