Filmmaking is a powerful medium for self-expression. Competitions in this field are great for encouraging youngsters to exercise their creativity and artistry. A list of student competitions previously posted here on KudosWall covered subjects like songwriting and photography. This time, let's look at the best ones for filmmaking.

Cineyouth Film Challenge - The Chicago Film Festival throws students from 13-18 years old into the fray in this contest. Participants join a film camp and are grouped into teams then they will produce a short film in just one day! The completed films will all be screened at the CineYouth Festival in Chicago's landmark Music Box Theater.

Heartland High School Film Competition - Heartland's focus is to create films that inspire and emotionally touch audiences and other filmmakers. Competitors can only submit short films that were made while they were in high school and they're only eligible until a year after graduation. Running time for each piece must be 12 minutes. Student directors have the option to create a narrative or a documentary, and present it as an animated or live-action film. The grand prize is $2,000 and two all-access passes to the Festival. Finalists will receive $500.



Boulder International Film Festival Teen Short Film Festival - The BIFF Teen Short Film Festival allows students ages 13-18 to submit YouTube or Vimeo links to their videos, along with hard copies saved in a thumb drive or DVD. Maximum film length is fifteen minutes and should be suitable for a PG13 audience. Students can use adult actors in their films but should have no role in production. Only the films of the winners will be screened during the ceremony of Teen Opening Night.