The Talented Youth / NFFTY Programs
NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth) is the world’s largest youth film festival, showcasing work by U.S. and international filmmakers 22 and under. Over 4 days, NFFTY (pronounced nifty) includes up to 225 films, filmmaking workshops and panels, and opportunities for young filmmakers to network with industry professionals, film fans, and each other. NFFTY 2013, held at Seattle Center and Seattle Cinerama, was our 6th annual festival with 12,000 in attendance, with 40 US States and 20 countries represented.
Youth Filmmaking Excellence brings professional level film training to middle school and high school students. Workshops targeting low-income youth are currently held in Seattle for Puget Sound area students. Workshops are structured and filmed so that they can be made available for all filmmakers nationally and internationally via NFFTY.org. We have a partnership with Denmark’s Station Next Film School, bringing Danish film professionals to Seattle to teach and lecture.
NFFTY 365 is a range of year-round events in the Seattle area and beyond. We partner with youth and arts organizations to have “Best of NFFTY” films part of programs such as Seattle Center Movies at the Mural and EMP|SFM Teen After Hours. Filmmaking contests are held in conjunction with youth sporting and community events.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
Success: NFFTY
NFFTY continues to grow, bringing young filmmakers to Seattle each year to establish life changing contacts with peers and industry leaders.
Need: Succession Planning
We are currently struggling with how best to allow our founder and key board members to move on to other pursuits.