The American Youth Film Festival is proud to announce the 2017 American Youth Film Festival Award Winners. The winners were selected from submissions of over 100 entries produced on cell phones, digital cameras, or advanced recording equipment from student filmmakers representing 34 states and 12 foreign countries. The organization celebrated its 3rd Annual Festival in Atlanta, Georgia at The Conference Center at Atlanta Metropolitan State College June 8 - 10, 2017. The theme was, “Lights. Camera. Action! – It’s Your Time to Shine!” The American Youth Film Festival is an opportunity for students to showcase their creativity in cinematography by presenting original short films produced by, written by, or starring them and/or family or friends.

The ability for young people to conceptualize, plan, and create their own independent films, facilitated by such modern media as YouTube and Vimeo, allows each film maker to freely express the subjects that interest them. The American Youth Film Festival provides a platform on which these young cinematographers can develop their talents and gain valuable experience in managing projects and actualizing their vision. The American Youth Film Festival captures the interest that exists in the creation and sharing of original, independent content and channels it to understand the “love of film or filmmaking” through the eyes of young filmmakers to tell their story—all for the love of film!

For additional information or to submit a film to the 2018 American Youth Film Festival, visit us at: www.AmericanYouthFilmFest.org.

2017 American Youth Film Festival Award Winners

Elementary School Film Division

BEST COMEDY

Where Is He Kids Movie
Submitted by: Wesley Heights Elementary
Hometown: Columbus, GA

BEST IN SHOW – ELEMENTARY

Sleeptalker
Submitted by: Jillian Lebling
Hometown: Selbyville, DE

Middle School Film Division

BEST IN SHOW – MIDDLE SCHOOL

Stuck
Submitted by: Shaelyn Theule-Koops
Hometown: Cerritos, CA

BEST GEORGIA FILM

Found It!
Submitted by: Ian Ely
Hometown: Decatur, GA

BEST FOREIGN FILM

Birds
Submitted by: Maia Costea
Hometown: Vancouver, Canada

MOST INSPIRATIONAL

Luke
Submitted by: Dylan Reiss
Hometown: San Luis Obispo, CA
High School Film Division

BEST NARRATIVE

Ask Me About My Past
Submitted by: Caroline Stewart
Hometown: Atlanta, GA

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

PANIC
Submitted by: Zach Perry
Hometown: Newton, NC

BEST ANIMATION

Lyric
Submitted by: Alex DeRosa
Hometown: Short Hills, NJ

BEST IN SHOW – HIGH SCHOOL

STOP.
Submitted by: The Factory
Hometown: San Francisco, CA

BEST SHORT

Beauté
Submitted by: Mattheus Carpenter
Hometown: Wenham, MA

BEST DOCUMENTARY

Modern Day Slavery - A Human Trafficking Documentary
Submitted by: Chase Luther
Hometown: Atlanta, GA

BEST MUSIC SCORE

Two
Submitted by: Benjamin Coffey
Hometown: Harrisonburg, VA

MOST INSPIRATIONAL

Harvesting Hope
Submitted by: Emmy Beck-Aden
Hometown: Athens, OH
College Film Division

BEST IN SHOW - COLLEGE

Chains of Freedom
Submitted by: Derya Celikkol
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Movie Poster Division

BEST MOVIE POSTER – ELEMENTARY BEST MOVIE POSTER – MIDDLE

Sleeptalker Stuck
Submitted by: Jillian Lebling Submitted by: Shaelyn Theule-Koops
Hometown: Selbyville, DE Hometown: Cerritos, CA

BEST MOVIE POSTER – HIGH SCHOOL BEST MOVIE POSTER – COLLEGE

The Life of Davie The Missing Part of Me
Submitted by: Austin Coombs-Perez Submitted by: The Factory
Hometown: Culver City, CA Hometown: San Francisco, CA