The Magic City 205 Youth Film Festival

The Magic City 205 Youth Film Festival will take place on June 21st, 2026, showcasing diverse young filmmakers. The festival runs from 10am-3pm at The Danon Project, located at

2324 Fifth Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 .

Film Criteria:

  • Must be no more than 6 minutes in length

  • Must be Submitted in a MP4 format

  • Must demonstrate good filmmaking techniques

  • Must use an original script

  • Must be produced by youth from grades 4th - 12th

  • Must be submitted by the deadline

These projects MUST 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 Alabama

Any film containing the following elements will be disqualified:

  • No Intimate scenes*

  • NO Profanity

  • NO Nudity

  • No Gangster imagery or characterizations

  • NO Weapons

  • NO excessive violence

  • NO A.I

*We understand that A.I can be in editing tools, if a submission created mostly by AI, it will be disqualified.

All submissions are due by June 7th

Submit Your Film

How To Submit Your Video

  • 1

    Read the rules below and create a film!

  • 2

    Click the "Submit Your Film". This takes you to the Magic City Competition Portal!

  • 3

    Follow the instructions on Film Freeway at the link below, submit your film, and submit your payment.

Submit Your Film

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

2025 Event Location