The online film festival, presented by HITN, is opening submissions April 1 for this year’s celebration of the Latino experience through film and storytelling
The ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest, established with the mission of elevating Latino storytelling and providing opportunities for young Latino filmmakers, is excited to announce that submissions for the 2025 film festival will open on April 1.
Now in its fifth year, the festival continues to gain momentum, championing Latino writers, actors, filmmakers, and creatives across the industry. Filmmakers can submit their entries through CineYouthFest.org until August 3, 2025, with an early bird discount available for those who register by June 1, 2025.
"We are thrilled to see how the ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest has grown year after year, creating a vibrant platform for young creatives to express themselves through filmmaking. This festival not only showcases their talents but also fosters awareness and understanding of the diverse Latino experience,” said Cynthia Rivera, ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest Co-Director. “It's incredibly rewarding to witness the profound impact this event has on the lives of these young emerging filmmakers, empowering them to share their unique stories with the world."
Research consistently shows that Latinos are underrepresented in television, streaming platforms, and films. Although Latinos make up 24 percent of movie ticket sales, Latino actors hold only 2 percent of lead roles, according to the Latino Donor Collaborative’s 2024 Latinos in Media report. Young Latinos are also more likely to leave traditional media for social media platforms where they find more authentic representation.
The fifth annual edition of the festival will introduce new award categories to recognize young talent across a variety of genres. This year’s judging categories include best overall short film, best animated/experimental short film and best documentary short film. The Spotlight Award will also recognize outstanding films that fall outside these categories.
Award winners will be recognized during the official film festival Oct. 9 – 16, 2025 as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. Winners will receive cash prizes for their winning submissions, including:
- Best Overall Short Film: $3,000
- Best Animated/Experimental Short: $1,500
- Best Documentary Short: $1,500
- Spotlight Award (for outstanding films in other categories): $1,250
Alongside the film festival, the annual social media "Cafecito" chats have become a valuable resource for creators. These sessions bring in seasoned industry experts who share their experience and guidance around creative pursuits, storytelling, social media and more.
Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming events, which will be posted on CineYouthFest.org and the festival’s Instagram page.
Submission Guidelines
English or Spanish-language works of fiction or nonfiction are welcome. Filmmakers are asked to submit their work under one of five categories including:
- Animation and Experimental - Animated shorts or experimental films that tell stories in new ways and are inspired by the colorful traditions of Latino culture.
- Documentary Short: "Real Stories, Real Impact" - Real-life stories, cultural narratives and social issues affecting Latino communities, with a focus on immigration and social justice.
- Identity and Cultural Heritage in the Digital Age – Shorts that address the challenges young Latinos face as they balancing centuries-old traditions with life in the digital world.
- Mental Health and Wellness - This category addresses mental health issues which remains crucial in Latino communities.
- Voices for Change: PSAs with a Purpose - This category focuses on PSAs that address critical social issues affecting Latino communities. Topics may include (but are not limited to): mental health, environmental justice, digital equity, cultural preservation, immigration, and youth empowerment. Submissions must be 60 seconds or less.
Submission Fees
Submission fees are structured as follows:
- Early Bird Entry: Free from April 1 to June 1, 2025
- Standard Entry: $20 submission fee from June 2 to July 2, 2025
- Late Entry: $25 submission fee from July 3 to August 3, 2025
Special fees apply for student films:
- Early Bird Entry: Free from April 1 to June 1, 2025
- Standard Entry: $10 submission fee from June 2 to July 2, 2025
- Late Entry: $15 submission fee from July 3 to August 3, 2025
Eligibility Criteria
- Submissions must feature a Latino/a in a creative lead position in front or behind the camera.
- Films must be 20 minutes or less in length.
- All film genres, including documentary, drama, animation, comedy, and narrative, are eligible.
- Only films completed after January 1, 2023, are eligible for this festival.
- Entries from the United States and Puerto Rico are eligible.
- Visit CineYouthFest.org for a complete list of rules and eligibility criteria.
Awards
The selection of films for the ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest will be announced on August 5, 2025 and will be screened on CineYouthFest.org and the HITN GO app from October 9 to October 16, 2025.
An independent jury will evaluate entries based on a variety of factors, including awareness of the subject matter; creativity in the approach of the subject matter; technical aspects such as directing, acting, cinematography, and editing; and inspirational and storytelling impact of the piece. Judges will select winners from a pool of finalists and awards will include Best Overall Short Film: $3,000; Best Animated/Experimental Short: $1,500; Best Documentary Short: $1,500; and Spotlight Award (for outstanding films in other categories): $1,250.
Winners will be announced at the end of October on the HITN GO app and the ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest website.
A partial listing of the ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest 2025 educational and nonprofit sponsors includes International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival, FilmFreeway, National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, Reel Works, Esperanza College, St. Francis College, Municipio Autónomo de Comercio, Fundación Cortes and Loíza Florece, Northeastern Illinois University, Roberto Clemente Community Academy, Philadelphia Latino Film Festival, Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College, Manhattan Neighborhood Network, and the University of Houston.
For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Cynthia Rivera via email at crivera@hitn.org.
About HITN
HITN-TV is a leading Spanish-language media company that offers educational and cultural programming for the whole family. It reaches more than 35 million homes in the United States and Puerto Rico through DIRECTV, AT&T U-verse, AT&T TV, DISH Network, Verizon FiOS TV, Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, Mediacom, CenturyLink, Prism and Altice, Liberty Cable & Claro (Puerto Rico). Download the HITN GO app available on Apple, Android, Apple TV, and Roku® with a subscription. For more information, visit: www.hitn.org and follow @HITNtv on social platforms.
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"We are thrilled to see how the ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest has grown year after year, creating a vibrant platform for young creatives to express themselves through filmmaking,” said Cynthia Rivera, ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest Co-Director.
Contacts
Cynthia Rivera 646-731-3802 / crivera@hitn.org