The 2026 Montgomery County Youth Media Festival will take place at the AFI Silver Theater.

Saturday, May 16, 2026

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 or attend school in the region will be disqualified.

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

February 28, 2026 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 via FilmFreeway:
• Please ensure your submission is exported at the highest quality possible.
• Ensure that the images jpg, tiff or png format.

You can submit the following types of work:
• Narrative Short films (including animated or experimental) that are less than 8 minutes in length, including credits.
• Documentary Short films (including animated or experimental) that are less than 8 minutes in length, including credits.

• Photography

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, 2025. Media created before July 2025 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. Multiple submissions will be disqualified.

Individuals are limited to submitting only one piece for one category and age group. Multiple photos presented as one inclusive series are permitted.

Minimum length for films is 1 minute.

The maximum length for films is 8 minutes, including credits.

Participants will be notified of acceptance no later than Friday, April 26th. 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 at AFI Silver Theatre and afterwards at the AYM Studio.