The Westport Arts Center is proud to present the WESTPORT YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL, one of the country's premier venues for young filmmakers to show their work in a professional environment among both peers and film professionals.  One of the few such festivals run by youth as well as for youth, WYFF engages people of all ages interested in film both through the festival itself as well as occasional programs and screenings throughout the year.

Created and run by high school students, the Westport Youth Film Festival (WYFF) is now entering its seventh year. The festival has grown to 2 days, includes year-round programming, and attracts young filmmakers from around the globe.

WYFF seeks middle and high school students, and film professionals to help with all aspects of the festival. Please contact WYFF Coordinator Sandy Lefkowitz for more info about how to get involved.

Submission Deadline: March 5, 2010
WYFF is now receiving entries for our 2010 festival. To submit a film, please complete and send in the form below by March 5, 2010.
Winners in each genre category will receive awards donated by Simon Pearce and Tiffany & Co.

2010 WYFF Entry Form

To accompany our exhibition of photographs by legendary jazz bassist Milt Hinton, WAC will screen the Tribeca Film Festival's award-winning “Keeping Time: The Life, Music, and Photographs of Milt Hinton” -- a one-hour documentary about Hinton's life and work directed by David Berger, Kate Hirson, and Holly Maxson. The screening will be followed by a lively conversation between the audience, jazz historians and the film makers.

This film will be screened courtesy of Bass Productions, Inc. Thank you to the Milton J. Hinton Photographic Collection for providing the photographs for the exhibition.

The Westport Youth Film Festival (WYFF) and one of its student team members and Outreach Director, Fjellberg Swerdlowe, will premiere the short film, “The Complex,” on November 20th at the Westport Arts Center.

After a tour of the abandoned Gilbert & Bennett factory in Georgetown, CT, Fjellberg Swerdlowe was inspired to write a screenplay and film. “The Complex” takes place during the aftermath of the Great Depression where the main character “Josh” must cope with life after an unresolved murder and the loss his job in the factory.

This event if free and open to the public.

This premeire is SOLD OUT.
To add your name to the waiting list, please contact WYFF Coordinator, Sandy Lefkowitz at (203) 222-7070 x110.

WAC will screen the 20-minute film “Immigrant From America,” followed by a conversation with Filmmakers Bill Buckley and Tracy Sugarman. Joining us will be the team from this year’s Westport Youth Film Festival, and students from Bridge Academy who participante in WAC’s Art of Filmmaking program.

This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

About the Film
Unlike every other immigrant to America, the Black African came to a land of bondage, not freedom. This provocative film explores how the African American has used education, economic strength, and political power to overcome a legacy of racist obstacles

In 1969 Bill Buckley and Tracy Sugarman started a film documentary company, Rediscovery Productions Inc. The racially ground-breaking company was created to make films dealing with the social, political, and cultural contributions of Afro-Americans. Rediscovery films have been telecast on PBS and awarded film festival awards in Europe, Canada and the United States.

Pictured on left: Filmmaker Bill Buckley