Teen 5-Minute Film Festival
Lights, camera, action!
Young filmmakers debut films on the big screen.
Lights, camera, action! Each year, the 5-Minute Teen Movie Festival invites young filmmakers to write, direct, and edit original short films—and see them debut on the big screen.
Teens submit their best short films (3–7 minutes), then join fellow creators, friends, and family for a premiere event where the audience selects the winning entries. It’s a celebration of storytelling, creativity, and teen voices from across the library district.
Participating in the Teen Festival
Learn how you can submit your films for the 5-minute Teen Film Festival below. Submissions for the 2025 festival were accepted between June 15-August 15, 2025. A film premiere was hosted September 27, 2025 at Battle Ground Cinema.
Who can participate?
All films must be written, directed, and edited by persons in or entering grades 6–12 AND 19 years of age or younger. All films must be teen-produced, and may be either a group project or individual work.
Adult guidance and instruction are allowed, except in the roles of writing, directing, and editing. However, adults are permitted to act in films.
What are the film requirements?
After submitting your film
FVRLibraries is under no obligation to use or exhibit the submitted film(s) in any manner. The District also retains the right to accept or decline any entry, for whatever reason, without notice or explanation.
Library staff and the teen council will preview the films for content before their debut at the festival. However, final judging and awards will be up to the audience.
Watch Previous Years’ Film Festivals
See the creativity and storytelling from past 5-Minute Teen Movie Competition finalists. Check out the winning films and audience favorites from 2024 and 2023!