The deadline for entries for the Strand Youth Film Fest (SYFF) has been extended to October 31. 

The Strand Youth Film Fest is an opportunity for young people living in Midcoast Maine and surrounding areas to create and submit their own short films.

All filmmakers must be ages 9-18 years old; the Junior division includes ages 9-13, and the Senior division includes ages 14-18.

Participants must live in Midcoast Maine and surrounding areas, including Knox, Waldo, Lincoln, Hancock, Kennebec, Penobscot, and Sagadahoc counties.

Films must be 1-5 minutes long and follow a G or PG rating and must be entered into one of the following categories: Narrative (fiction), Documentary, Music Video, or Animation. Prizes will be awarded in each film category for both divisions, plus one “Best of Fest” prize.  Films must be submitted in .mov or .mp4 format (note that most smartphone and tablet videos follow these formats).

Only one film per submitter is permitted.

Strand Education Manager Brittany Parker hopes that SYFF can inspire local young people to get creative, including in the classroom.

“Teachers, educators, parents, and homeschoolers may be looking for creative projects for their students at the start of the school year. Students can enter their creations for a chance to win prizes and have their work seen by the community,” Parker said, in a Strand news release. “There are also great filmmaking apps out there to help this process – you can find some of our suggestions on our Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as on our website.”

Parker is available to answer questions and help with curriculum tie-ins; she can be contacted at brittany@rocklandstrand.com.

Entries will be accepted until midnight on October 31, with awards and a public presentation of the films in November. Prizes will be awarded by a panel of judges consisting of local film professionals and Strand staff. The winners in each category (narrative, documentary, music, animation) will be awarded $75 each, and Best of Fest winners will take home $100. Additionally, winners will receive an official Strand Youth Film Fest Geiger Award. Winners will be selected for both Junior (ages 9-13) and Senior (ages 14-18) divisions. 

For more details and submission instructions, visit the Strand Theatre website at www.RocklandStrand.com.

The SYFF is made possible with support from the Harvey & Pam Geiger Charitable Fund.

For more information, visit www.RocklandStrand.com, email: info@rocklandstrand.com,  or call (207) 594-0070. Strand Theatre, 345 Main Street, Rockland, ME 04841.