Calling all high school filmmakers! Y-CAM is the DC Independent Film Festival's annual two-day festival for young screen artists, now in its 13th year. It screens around 30 films in competition from across the US and abroad, and most selected filmmakers travel to Washington DC to attend.

Y-CAM accepts fiction, documentary, animation, music videos, art and experimental films up to 20 minutes long. Submissions are free. Industry judges award cash prizes for fiction, documentary and animation: $500 for first place, $425 for second and $350 for third.

Beyond the screenings, the festival offers workshops and seminars, a "Meet the University and College Reps" panel, a Media Careers Workshop, and a conversation with a working actor, director, writer or cinematographer. Past guests include JB Blanc (Arcane), Ava Acres and Cynthia Addai-Robinson (The Rings of Power). Y-CAM is coordinated by three high school students with DCIFF staff.

Festival: March 6–7, 2027
Where: Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market, 550 Penn Street NE, Washington DC
Submissions open: October 1, 2026
Regular deadline: December 17, 2026
Late deadline: January 6, 2027
Notifications: January 20, 2027

Eligibility: you must still be in high school (or have completed the film before leaving in 2026), and the film must be finished within the last 3 years. A school ID is required with your submission.

Submit your film on FilmFreeway · More at y-cam.org

Submitting or planning to go? RSVP here and connect with other young filmmakers in the network.