This information is provided by the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit.

MyView Youth Film Festival is ready to launch for 2024! Kemptville’s McGahey Insurance and Grenville Mutual Insurance have again teamed up to provide the $1,000 Grand Prize. There are 2 new categories this year; a $500 prize for best original music sponsored by Jamming Around Man Productions, and a special $500 YMCA of Eastern Ontario Award. Exit Realty Eastern Ontario is again sponsoring a $750 prize for the best “I Love My Community” film. 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 list of eligible counties). Other exciting news for 2024 is a partnership with the YMCA of Eastern Ontario and expansion west to Kingston and Napanee. The local public health units in Kingston and Eastern Ontario have also joined the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit to help promote this opportunity to area youth.

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!  Thanks to McGahey Insurance, Grenville Mutual Insurance, Exit Realty Eastern Ontario, Jamming Around Man Productions, YMCA of Eastern Ontario, and YourTV for donating great prizes to the winners in the following categories:

• Best Overall Video – $1,000
• I Love My Community – $750
• Best Original Music – $500
• YMCA Award – $500
• Age Category Prizes (10-13; 14-17; 18-24)

The deadline for video submission is May 1st and youth can submit multiple films individually or as a group. Encourage young people you know 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. Wendy Embleton from Exit Realty had this to say about last year’s I Love My Community winners, “They engaged with business owners, the fire chief, showcased their school and had fun. Parents may get to choose their home town, but it is wonderful when young people highlight how they appreciate their community. We look forward to seeing the entries for 2024!”

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 film making and production, to participate and share their stories. Emma Yakimovich, 2023 Grand Prize Winner for her film You’re Not Alone, said recently, “I loved filming, editing, being on the red carpet, and seeing the films the other kids made!”

For more information on contest rules or judging criteria, or to see past year’s submissions and winners, visit us on Facebook @myviewfilmfest, check out www.myviewfilmfest.ca or email info@myviewfilmfest.ca.