ABOUT OUR FESTIVAL

The ANACOSTIA YOUTH FILM AND MEDIA FESTIVAL unfolds over two vibrant days, set to take place on September 21 and 22, 2024 at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum marks a significant milestone as the first youth-directed festival within the Washington, DC area, pulsating with energy within the Anacostia Neighborhood. A diverse tapestry of activities awaits attendees, ranging from riveting DC Youth Media competition screenings to immersive community workshops.

Acknowledging the pivotal role of youth voices in shaping their developmental journey, the festival emerges as a crucial platform for their expression and visibility. Tailored to the vibrant young residents of wards 7 and 8, it presents a unique opportunity for them to showcase their creative endeavors within the familiar embrace of their own community. Moreover, the festival casts a spotlight on the Anacostia area, beckoning attendees from across the expansive DC Metropolitan area.

At the heart of the festival lies its thematic focus, inviting students from all corners of DC to submit video works encapsulating their lived experiences and community dynamics in the post-COVID world. The submission guidelines, accommodating diverse formats and durations ranging from 3 to 7 minutes, underscore a commitment to inclusivity and broad participation among youth.

A testament to collaborative spirit, the festival emerges from the joint efforts of American University students and the vibrant youth populace of wards 7 and 8. Set against the backdrop of the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, the event promises an eclectic lineup of screenings showcasing the creative prowess of DC's youth. Complementing these screenings are an array of interactive workshops, meticulously designed to nurture youths' passion for video creation and adept usage of social media platforms.

In essence, the ANACOSTIA YOUTH FILM AND MEDIA FESTIVAL serves as a beacon of artistic expression and community empowerment. Through its engaging programmatic offerings, it amplifies the voices and aspirations of DC's youth, weaving enduring connections within the rich tapestry of Washington, DC's culture and history.