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Unlocking the Power of Our Community: Join ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest and Share Your Story through Film

Unlocking the Power of Our Community: Join ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest and Share Your Story through Film

Are you an emerging filmmaker? Or do you know someone who will excel in this field? Well, ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest is back – and ready to discover the genius of young talent.   

The stage is set for the third annual ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest, a festival dedicated to showcasing the talent, creative storytelling, and vision of aspiring Latino/a filmmakers. Presented by HITN, this festival has become a springboard for emerging Latino/a storytellers, creatives, and filmmakers since 2021. HITN is a leading Spanish-language media company that offers educational and cultural programming fit for anyone in your family. By streaming on HITN, you can bet that your content will get the respect it deserves.  

With submissions now open until August 2, 2023, this is the perfect opportunity for budding filmmakers to make their mark and share their stories with a wider audience. So, if you are interested in pursuing a career in film, are a high school or college student, and want to get your work in front of audiences who will value your vision, then ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest is the place for you. 

¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest Is on a Special Mission

The lack of representation of Latino/a voices in the film and entertainment industry is a glaring issue. According to the Hollywood Diversity Report 2023, people of color, including Latino/as, remain underrepresented both in front and behind the camera.  

Despite Latino/as constituting 19 percent of the total U.S. population and being avid moviegoers, their presence on the big screen remains limited. In 2022, only 2.3 percent of theatrical film leads were Latino/a, and a mere 6.1 percent of streaming films featured Latino/a leads. It’s clear that there is a need for platforms like ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest to provide visibility and recognition to these historically excluded voices. 

Luis Alejandro Molina, the director of ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest, recognizes the power of the younger generation of up-and-coming filmmakers and storytellers to impact the narrative: 

“The younger generation of up-and-coming filmmakers and storytellers have the power to impact the narrative at an unprecedented level,” Molina said in an official statement. 

¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest isn’t just about the film festival itself. Leading up to the main event, the festival’s team will host virtual film chats and “Cafecito” live social media broadcasts. These sessions will feature industry experts and professionals who will share their stories and insights, providing valuable guidance for emerging filmmakers looking to grow in the industry. Keep an eye on CineYouthFest.org and the festival’s Instagram page for announcements about these exciting events. 

How to Submit Your Work

Now, let’s talk about submissions. To be eligible for ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest, films must feature a Latino/a in a creative lead position, either in front or behind the camera. English or Spanish-language works are welcome, and films should be 30 minutes or less in length. Filmmakers can choose from four categories: Music Video, Animation, Sci-Fi, or Politics Today (Politics or Climate Change).  

The submission fees are structured as follows: 

  • Early Bird Entry: Free from May 1 to May 31, 2023 
  • Standard Entry: $20 submission fee from June 1 to July 1, 2023 
  • Late Entry: $25 submission fee from July 2 to August 2, 2023 

Special fees apply for student films: 

  • Early Bird Entry: Free from May 1 to May 31, 2023 
  • Standard Entry: $10 submission fee from June 1 to July 1, 2023 
  • Late Entry: $15 submission fee from July 2 to August 2, 2023 

The Grand Prize winner will receive $4,000, the Second Prize winner will be awarded $2,000, and the Third Prize winner will receive $1,000. The winners’ announcement will be made at the end of October on the HITN GO app and the ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest website. 

Awards await the top selection of films for ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest. An independent jury will evaluate entries based on various criteria, including awareness of the subject matter, creativity in the approach, technical aspects, and storytelling impact.  

The winners will be announced on September 11, 2023, and their films will be screened on CineYouthFest.org and the HITN GO app from October 9 to October 16, 2023.  

Lights, camera, action! Emerging Latino/a filmmakers: It’s your time to shine! Will you be submitting something? If so, now is the time to do so! Don’t let this opportunity slip by.  

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