The Just Be You Performing Arts Youth Film Festival (Just Be You Festival for short) returns in the summer of 2020; with double the awesome! We've extended the festival to a two day event, in Rahway, New Jersey, the birthplace of Just Be You Performing Arts in 2013. Additionally, we are taking the festival on a two city tour! First stop, Philadelphia! Second stop, Detroit!
Due to COVID-19, it is possible, that we will adjust the tour dates, and locations, in accordance with abiding by any state and government mandates. At this point in time, we are still planning on hosting the festival, especially in the city of Rahway, New Jersey, the birthplace of Just Be You Performing Arts. As the corona virus situation is updated in the news and via local officials, we will update this information, and inform all filmmakers accepted into the festival accordingly.
Taking the festival on a tour is a major milestone for the festival. We are very grateful to extend our reach, and help more youth, showcase their gifts and talents. The festival will again be FREE for kids and teens to attend, in all THREE locations in 2020.
We will bring filmmakers, playwrights, artists, and industry professionals together, to celebrate works that are relevant to today's youth. We are making a bold statement, that children deserve to be heard, and uninterrupted! The Just Be You Festival has proven to be what we call, "champions for children".
Our festival is groundbreaking and there is nothing like it in New Jersey. This has lead us to be featured several times in the news, both print and broadcast media. We are honored and feel grateful for the wonderful exposure the festival continues to receive.
There is no submission fee for youth filmmakers (age 5 to 17 year's-old) to submit a body of work to our festival! Since the debut of our festival in 2018, we consistently receive hundreds of submissions from all over the world!
We accept submissions from filmmakers as young as 5 year's old, because even a kindergartner deserves a voice, and has something profound to say.
Our submission process is nation wide and world wide, but with a special encouragement for filmmakers in New Jersey.
Female filmmakers, African-American, and Filmmakers of color, are especially encouraged to submit.
Audience members don't just sit and watch, they engage and participate. Our festival gives the audience members opportunities to get involved during the event with a variety of fun activities. The festival will take place completely on location to make things easy for parents! And, so our audience won't have to miss any of the action.
For 2020, we are excited to announce that we will have double fun! We are EXTENDING THE FESTIVAL TO A 2 DAY EVENT!!! This gives more families the opportunity to enjoy this marvelous festival, THAT IS FREE FOR KIDS AND TEENS!!!
Plus, we are bringing the festival to Detroit and Philadelphia this summer!
We also have amazing teens participating as co-hosts and performers!
By attending our festival; you'll benefit from a diverse event, great networking, entertainment, vendors, and talented artistry. The 3rd Annual Just Be You Performing Arts Youth Film Festival will be a family-friendly event that creates a mutually supportive community and a voice for all artists.
The festival is created and directed by award-winning triple-threat actress; Mahogany Reynolds (also known as Mahogany Reynolds-Clarke); who hails from Detroit, Michigan, where she began her versatile career as a performing artist. She is the founder/executive director of Just Be You Performing Arts and has successfully developed and produced over 25 productions in the state of New Jersey, all within just 3 years! She is also a seasoned coach and provides one-on-one customized; online and in-person, training for aspiring artist. Find more about her by visiting her website: www.mahoganyreynolds.com
Learn more about this dynamic youth driven festival by visiting: www.justbeyoufestival.com
We are also extending the submission deadline for a limited amount of time, until April 14, 2020, for youth who wish to submit a short-film project. This is a special addition to this season of the JBY Youth Film Festival. Mahogany Reynolds announced this opportunity live on her new online kid's talk show, The Take with Mahogany Reynolds, on March 26, 2020. Youth from all over the world are encouraged to submit a creative short-film project to us by April 14, 2020.
This special addition to our film festival is created to help the youth, all over the world, harness their creativity, during the health crisis. We want the youth to know that their experiences during this challenging time is important to us. Youth are invited to submit a short film of 5 minutes or less for this special addition to the film festival.
For complete details, and to obtain the special Waiver Code, that you need in order to submit your film; for this aspect of the Just Be You Performing Arts Youth Film Festival by watching the special premiere episode of The Take with Mahogany Reynolds - https://justbeyoufestival.com/the-take-talk-show
*Best Short-Film Youth Division
*Best Short-Film Adult Division
*Best Short-Documentary Youth Division
*Best Short-Documentary Adult Division
*Best Short-Animation Youth Made
*Best Short-Live Action Youth Made
*Best Music Video Youth Made
*Best Photography Youth Made
*Best Short-Film Faith Based Youth Made
*Best International Filmmaker Adult Division
*Best International Filmmaker Youth Division
*Best New Jersey Filmmaker Adult Division
*Best New Jersey Filmmaker Youth Division
*Best New Jersey Dance Video Youth Made
*Best New Jersey Dance Video Adult Made
*Best Actress
*Best Actor