The OYFF is the culminating competition for high school filmmakers throughout Ontario. Students qualify through the regional festivals below.
4 short-film categories. 2 tiers of competition. $2000 in prizes.
November 13, 2025 – 7:00 pm
Narrative
A narrative film tells a fictional story. In this style of filmmaking, believable narratives and characters help convince the audience that the unfolding fiction is real.
Less than 5 minute short films accepted.
The Narrative Category winner receives a $300 cash prize. The runner-up receives a $200 cash prize.
The Last Supper, directed by Trudy Flashford, won the Narrative category at the 2024 OYFF.
Documentary
A documentary film is a factual motion picture intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of education or maintaining a historical record.
Less than 5 minute short films accepted.
The Documentary Category winner receives a $300 cash prize. The runner-up receives a $200 cash prize.
Coffee House, directed by Gwyneth Tomorad, won the Documentary category at the 2024 OYFF.
Animation
Animation is a series of images produced frame-by-frame and then played in quick succession to create the illusion of movement.
Less than 5 minute short films accepted.
The Animation Category winner receives a $300 cash prize. The runner-up receives a $200 cash prize.
Crime Never Gets Old, directed by William Manning, won the Animation category at the 2024 OYFF.
Experimental
This category includes explorations of visual images and audio to evoke emotions and see the world through a new, creative lens. Entries may be abstract and/or artistic.
Less than 5 minute short films accepted.
The Experimental Category winner receives a $300 cash prize. The runner-up receives a $200 cash prize.
Ocular, directed by Lucas Bellsmith, won the Experimental category at the 2024 OYFF.
How you enter the OYFF depends on where you go to high school. Check out the maps below to landmark your region. Once you know your home festival, click the button to jump to the appropriate Tier 1 submission page on FilmFreeway. You’ll find all the rules, regulations and deadlines there.
Best of luck!
Southwestern Ontario
The Forest City Youth Film Festival (FCYFF) is the OYFF’s regional partnering festival for Southwestern Ontario. Students registered in high schools in this region must first compete in the FCYFF for an opportunity to advance to the OYFF.
Central Ontario
The Central Ontario Youth Short Film Festival (COYSFF) is the OYFF’s regional partnering festival for Central Ontario. Students registered in high schools in this region must first compete in the COYSFF for an opportunity to advance to the OYFF.
Northern Ontario
Cinéfest Sudbury’s CTV Best in Shorts Competition is the OYFF’s regional partnering festival for Northern Ontario. Students registered in high schools in this region must first compete in the CTV Best in Shorts Competition for an opportunity to advance to the OYFF.
Eastern Ontario
MyView Youth Film Festival is the OYFF’s regional partnering festival for Eastern Ontario. Students registered in high schools in this region must first compete in MyView for an opportunity to advance to the OYFF.
We get it! Putting yourself out there can be a scary thing, but the personal rewards can be huge!
Don’t take our word for it. Hear what other student filmmakers are saying about the OYFF!
“What was it like seeing your name/film up on the big screen?”
“What does having a youth festival mean to you?”
“What would you say to someone who’s unsure about submitting to a festival?”
Ethan won the Most Enterprising Filmmaker award at the 2019 Forest City Youth Film Festival. He has since gone on to direct his first feature film, Burden, which premiered at the 2022 Forest City Film Festival.
Check out the video to learn more about Ethan’s amazing journey, which started with his decision to put his work – and himself – out there.