The Magic City 205 Youth Film Festival
The Magic City 205 Youth Film Festival will take place from June 28-29, 2025, showcasing diverse young filmmakers. The event kicks off with a reception at the Alcove,1713 4th Ave N on June 28, 2025, from 4:00pm-5:00pm, followed by an adult VIP reception and panel discussion from 5:30pm-7:00pm. On June 29, the festival runs from 10am-2pm in Birmingham's historic business district along 4th Avenue North. Youth from grades 4-12 are encouraged to submit short films, with the awards show held at the Carver Theater (1631 4th Ave N.) from 5:00pm-7:00pm. The day includes activities in the Kid Zone and a variety of food trucks.
How To Submit Your Video
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1
Read the rules below and create a film!
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2
Click the "Submit Your Film". This takes you to the Magic City Competition Portal!
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3
Follow the instructions on Film Freeway at the link below, submit your film, and submit your payment.
Competition Rules & Terms
Film Criteria:
- Must be no more than 6 minutes in length
- Must be submitted in MP4 format
- Must be well written
- Must demonstrate good filmmaking techniques
- Must use an original script
- The film categories must be produced by youth from grades 4th – 12th.
These projects include adult supervision.
- There will be a screening process for 4th – 8th grades.
- There will be a screening process for 9th – 12th grades.
- All submissions must be from the Birmingham, Jefferson County, Shelby County and greater Alabama area.
Any film containing the following elements will be disqualified:
- Absolutely NO adult film content*
- NO intimate scenes*
- NO profanity*
- NO nudity*
- NO gangster imagery or characterizations*
- NO weapons*
- NO excessive violence*
Awards & Prizes
The NGJF and Cinematic Creations are offering to the winning overall project a cash prize of $1000 and free attendance to the 2026 Dundrill Heights Spring Break Film Camp. We will also offer all quarter finalists a 50% discount on registration fees for the 2026 Dundrill Heights Spring Break Film Camp.
Prizes will be awarded to the following categories:
- Best Social Justice Short
- Best Suspense/Thriller
- Best Horror
- Best Action
-Best Drama
- Best Comedy
- Best Mystery/Crime
- Best Fantasy/Science Fiction
- Best Animation