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Lights, camera, action! It’s time to get in the filmmaking game, and we are inviting young filmmakers to show us their talent, enthusiasm and creative spirit.

If you are between the ages of 11 and 18, send us your short film in any of the categories below to be entered into the Teens of LA Film Fest. Submissions are free and must be received between May 18 and July 6.

We’re accepting films in the following categories:

• Book Trailer (30-90 seconds)
• Public Service Announcement (30-90 seconds)
• Experimental (1-5 minutes)
• Short Film (3-8 minutes)
• Documentary (3-8 minutes)
• Oral History (2-5 minutes)

The top three films in each category will be posted on LAPL's YouTube channel. Help us choose the winner of the Audience Award by voting for your favorite! Winners in each category will be announced in late July.

Submitting Your Film

• Make sure you have read and understand the submission guidelines.
• If you are under 18, please have a parent or guardian with you before clicking the button to submit.
• All submissions must be received by July 6 at 11:59PM.

We are no longer accepting submissions for 2020.

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Filmmaking During COVID-19

Making a film is a collaborative process. However, in this unprecedented time, we ask that you respect local orders for physical distancing in order to keep yourself, and all Angelenos, safe and healthy.

We also believe that creativity is essential in difficult times. We encourage you to use library resources to explore and make your art–please see below for some recommended books, videos, and online classes related to filmmaking, storytelling, and animation.

We know you’ll create work that reflects our times. Please contact us if we can help in any way.

Tutorials and Videos

Submitting your Film with Film Freeway

Ask a Librarian Live: Teens of LA Film Fest

Learn about the film festival and hear from two educators who give advice and recommend tools for student filmmakers.

Filmmaking Resources

Apps and Software

• OpenShot - Free video editor (macOS, Windows, Linux)
• Blender - Free editing, animation, and 3D compositing tool (macOS, Windows, Linux)
• WeVideo - Free web-based video editor

E-books

• The Documentary Filmmaking Master Class by Betsy Chasse
• The DSLR Filmmaker's Handbook by Barry Andersson
• The Lego Animation Book by David Pagano & David Pickett
• Videojournalism by Kenneth Kobre 2012
• An Introduction to Storytelling by Cristine Willison
• The Oral History Workshop: Collect and Celebrate the Life Stories of Your Family and Friends by Cynthis Hart
• Filming Stop-Motion Animation by Zoe Saldana
• Classic Origami for Beginners by Michael G. LaFosse
• So You Want to... Write a Screenplay by Talor Gaines
• The Director’s Six Senses by Simone Bartesaghi
• ORAL HISTORY: An Introduction for Students by James Hoopes
• Filmmaking for Change: Make Films That Transform the World by Jon Fitzgerald

Online Classes

• Filmmaking Instruction (playlist on kanopy.com)
• Film Studies (playlist on kanopy.com)
• Learning Stop Motion Animation (lynda.com)
• Creating Online Video with Android Phones (lynda.com)
• Creating Online Video with the iPhone (lynda.com)
• DIY Filmmaking Tips Weekly (lynda.com)
• Video Lighting and Grip Basics (lynda.com)
• Learning Video Lighting (lynda.com)
• Making a Short Film: Start to Finish (lynda.com)
• Video Interview Techniques (lynda.com)
• Video Lighting Outdoor Techniques (lynda.com)
• Learning Cinematography: 1 Narrative Fundamentals (lynda.com)
• Learning Lighting: Natural Light (lynda.com)
• Documentary Video: 1 Planning and Pre-Production (lynda.com)
• 21 Foundations of Animation (lynda.com)
• Animation Foundations: Drawing Cartoon Characters (lynda.com)

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View the finalists and winners of the 2019 festival here.