MyView Youth Film Festival 2023 Submission Deadline Coming Up May 1st

Local Youth Film Festival Offers over $2000 in prizes!

Eastern Ontario – The 2023 MyView Youth Film Festival deadline for video submissions is fast approaching on May 1st. Originally set for 2022, the film festival was extended to the spring of 2023.

MyView Youth Film Festival is back for its 8th year. Kemptville’s own McGahey Insurance and Grenville Mutual Insurance have again teamed up to provide the $1000 Grand Prize for 2023.

This creative film-making contest is open to all youth ages 10-24 that live, work or play in Eastern Ontario (see www.myviewfilmfest.ca for a list of eligible counties).

Young people are encouraged to pick up their phones or cameras and make a short video that celebrates something in their life or community; shows a solution to a problem or showcases their opinion.

Exit Realty has joined MyView this year to offer a new “My Community” prize category. Thanks to McGahey Insurance, Grenville Mutual Insurance, Exit Realty and YourTV for donating great prizes to the winners in the following categories:

• Best Overall Video – $1000
• I Love My Community – $750
• Age Category Prizes (10-13; 14-17; 18-24)

They have received some very thoughtful and creative submissions already and look forward to sharing them. There was a lot of enthusiasm around MyView and organizers listened to valuable feedback from schools and youth organizations that extending the contest to include more of the school year will give more youth a chance to participate.

The deadline for video submission is coming up on May 1st. Local youth are encouraged to get out into their communities to look for inspiration. There is no shortage of interesting topics to explore. Past winners have addressed a variety of topics from mental well-being and body image to the cost of post-secondary education and everything in between.

“This generation of young people has all kinds of new issues to tackle; like climate change, cannabis legalization and social media. Youth are extremely well informed and I look forward to seeing what they have to say! ” says Rebecca Shams, Health Promoter and MyView committee member.

Encouraging young people to express their opinions and ideas by being active creators of media instead of passive consumers is an exciting way to hear youth perspectives and improve communities.

Judging criteria heavily favours the content of the videos over the production elements, in hopes of encouraging all eligible youth, regardless of their level of experience in filmmaking and production, to participate and share their stories.

John Barclay, MyView founder and Producer with Triune Productions, shared his excitement for this year’s festival: “Every year I look forward to seeing the creativity and imagination of young filmmakers as they communicate what’s important to them,” he said.

“This year I’m especially eager to see entrants from more Eastern Ontario communities.”

Organizers would like to thank their generous sponsors who will continue to support the festival as well as all the people who have helped to promote MyView and they hope they keep spreading the word so the 2023 festival will be bursting with youth voices.

For all the contest details and answers to your questions about MyView 2023, visit them on Facebook @myviewfilmfest, visit, www.myviewfilmfest.ca or email info@myviewfilmfest.ca