THE GIRL IMPROVED (short) FILM & TELEVISION FESTIVAL

At GIFT Fest, a youth film festival, we believe that young artists who are challenged to create art that is deliberately gender inclusive will learn that creating entertaining content that is a more accurate representation of our society will benefit their overall development AND make incredible art! By ensuring that girls or people who are nonbinary are at least 50% of the equation, we believe that the projects are improved. Thus, they’re “girl improved.”

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

  • You are, if you made your project at age 22 or younger.

WHEN DO SUBMISSIONS OPEN?

  • Submissions open April 1st (no fooling!).

IS THERE A FEE TO SUBMIT?

  • Early-bird submissions until May 1st have the fee waived.
  • Regular submissions pay a $5 submission fee until June 1st.
  • Late submissions pay a $10 submission fee until July 1st.
    Note: Your submission fee goes to a good cause. Direct into the coffers for award money for this youth film festival.

HOW DO I SUBMIT?

  • GIFT Fest proudly accepts entries on FilmFreeway, the world’s #1 way to enter film festivals and creative contests. Simply click the “FilmFreeway” button on our home page or the Submit page.

ARE THERE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS?

  • Yes! The creators of early submissions are eligible for publicity spots.

I’M A CREATOR, BUT NOT OF FILM OR THEATRE. CAN I PARTICIPATE?

  • This is great! We totally want to include artists of many mediums. There is an opportunity for an online art show or for girl-driven bands/musicians to play during the festival. But let us know sooner, rather than later. We can’t plan if we don’t know you exist.

WHAT KIND OF AWARDS ARE OFFERED AT THIS YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL?

  • We love this part! Separated by age, each GIFT Fest award winner will receive feedback from five different professionals in specific fields in the industry. This means that the award winners will each receive five individualized responses from a professional Writer, Producer, Director, Cinematographer and Editor. They are going to give advice/suggestions on how to raise your work to the next level.
    • Four award winners in the 19-22 year old category;
    • Four award winners in the 16-18 year old category;
    • Two award winners in the 14-15 year old category;
    • Two award winners in the 13 and younger category;
    • Plus, CASH prizes!

DO SELECTED PIECES GET A PASS TO GIFT FEST?

  • Yes! Selected pieces will receive one festival pass. Additional team members can purchase a discounted admission.

I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL? WHAT HAPPENED TO 2019?

  • Funny you should ask. Since this is such a new festival, we kinda have only one Festival Director. Andee Kinzy was out of the country during 2019, working on a Global Hamlet project. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the bandwidth to organize GIFT Fest from afar.

THIS IS AWESOME. HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED?

  • That’s great! We’d love your help. Check out our Volunteer page.

I WANT TO SUPPORT YOU, BUT I CAN’T BE THERE. CAN I DONATE?

  • Of course! We welcome any and all donations. We’re offering cash awards to the festival winners and your donation will help support a budding creator at this youth film festival. Please visit our Donation page.

 

GIFT FEST SPONSORS