Northampton Youth Cinema Festival 2026
Celebrating the Next Generation of Visual Storytellers
Welcome to the Showcase
We will celebrate a nearly two-decade legacy of cinematic excellence in the Pioneer Valley. After a successful student-led relaunch three years ago, the Northampton Youth Cinema Festival (NYCF) continues to serve as a vital platform for filmmakers aged 21 and younger to bring their visions to the big screen.
By partnering with local students, we ensure that our city’s rich history of independent cinema remains vibrant, evolving with the diverse and fresh voices of our community’s youth.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: The Workroom, 33 Hawley Street, Northampton, MA
Call for Entries
Are you a filmmaker with a story to tell? We are looking for original works across all genres: Narrative, Documentary, Animation, and Experimental.
Submission Deadlines:
Earlybird: March 1, 2026
Regular: April 1, 2026
Final Call: April 21, 2026
Notification: April 24, 2026
How to Submit: Visit filmfreeway.com/NYCF to upload your project. Note: Principal creators must be 21 or younger. Films should be under 30 minutes (under 20 minutes preferred).
Our Partners & Sponsors
This festival is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Northampton Arts Council, Northampton Open Media, and the City of Northampton Department of Arts and Culture.
Headline Sponsor:
Lathrop Communities: Providing vibrant, intergenerational support for local arts and culture.
Organization Partners:
Mass Cultural Council: Promoting excellence, inclusion, and education in the arts across the Commonwealth.
Greenfield Savings Bank: A local community bank dedicated to investing in the people and creativity of the Pioneer Valley.
