Flint Youth Film Festival marks 10 years of uplifting young local filmmakers

FLINT, Michigan — The Flint Youth Film Festival (FYFF) is marking its 10th anniversary with a blockbuster lineup of celebrity guests and a record-breaking showcase of emerging talent.

Presented by iMichigan Productions, this year’s festival will feature 75 youth filmmakers selected from more than 500 submissions nationwide, with over 20% of the finalists hailing from Michigan.

The festival kicks off with an opening reception on Thursday, July 17, at the Flint Institute of Arts. Film screenings and talk-back panels will take place on Friday and Saturday, July 18–19, at Mott Community College and Cinemark Flint West 14. The celebration will conclude with a red-carpet awards ceremony on Sunday, July 20.

“We are proud to celebrate a decade of elevating young voices in the film industry,” said Rodney W. Brown, co-founder of iMichigan Productions. “This festival is not just a showcase — it’s a movement to invest in the power of youth storytelling.”

The anniversary event will feature honorary hosts Jessica Mikayla, an actress and youth mentor known for voicing Alanna in Disney Junior’s Ariel, and Dusable Lewis Jr., an emerging filmmaker and brother of Flint boxing champion Claressa Shields.

WMEM-TV journalist Colette Boyd will emcee, and acclaimed Hollywood makeup artist Myke Michaels (Stranger Things) will make a special guest appearance.

Since its launch, FYFF has provided an inclusive platform for short films across fiction, nonfiction, animation, and experimental categories, judged by a panel of industry professionals. Age divisions include 13–15, 16–18, 19–21, and 22–25.

“The 10th anniversary is about creating space for creative freedom, visibility, and impact,” said Justin R. Brown, festival director and Emmy-winning filmmaker. “We’re ready to support more bold, independent short films that reflect the stories, challenges, and dreams of youth under 25.”

The festival is supported by iMichigan Productions, the Flint Institute of Arts, Share Art Genesee, A.G. Bishop Charitable Trust, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

For the full schedule, list of filmmakers, and ticket info, visit: flintyouthfilmfestival.com