Festival

Celebrating Young Filmmakers since 1969

The Michigan Student Film Festival is recognized by the American Film Institute as the longest running student film festival in the United States.

Over 350 K-12 entries are received annually and are judged by media professionals and educators. Each student entry receives at least 4 detailed responses from our judges and the magnificent Best of Show screening and awards are held in the DIA's Detroit Film Theatre.

Past winners credit the recognition of their work by DAFT and in the theatre as pivotal in their varied career paths in motion pictures, advertising, documentary work and screenwriting. For Michigan's educators the festival continues to be an important annual event for their students and curricula--particularly with the detailed judging feedback and the recognition that such a revered venue provides.

• Date/Times: April 25, 2026 (10 AM - 2:45 PM)
  • 10 AM: K-8 Awards & Screening of Best-of-Show selections
  • 12:30 PM: High School Awards & Screening of Best-of-Show selections
• Cost: Free admission
• Location: The Detroit Film Theatre at the DIA
  • 5200 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48202
  • Theatre entrance on the John R. side of the building (east-side)
  • Parking in the DIA lot across John R. or on the neighboring street using the Park Detroit app
• Host: TBD
• Streaming: Watch live streams of both ceremonies on DAFT's home page--www.daftonline.org

Important note on copyright.  To be considered for Best of Show award-level, entries that have material whose rights are not owned by the producers should include clear permission from the owners of the music, images, video.  DAFT offers many links to royalty-free music on our tab or at this link.  While educational-use of material can provide useful training for students, DAFT fully supports the ethical use of all creative material and encourages its students and teachers to adhere to these principles.  Any questions, please contact us at info@daftonline.org.

STUDENT-PRODUCED: While DAFT recognizes the important role of teachers/mentors in the production of entries--especially at the K-8 level, DAFT reserves the right to not award a Best of Show selection if it is determined that the project was not primarily student produced. The selection committee may reach out to the producers for more information, however the responsibility of full disclosure of adult involvement lies with the submitter (teacher or student).

Categories Include...

• Partnership Production: Industry/Education teamwork (e.g. work-based learning, media pro mentorship, etc.)

• Animation

  • 100% Student-Originated Animation (e.g. single-frame claymation, hand-drawn, etc.)

  • Template-Generated Animation (e.g. software designs to assist production etc.)

• Documentary

• Music Video/Montage

• Narrative Film

• News/Sports

  • News/Sports Package (ENG--reporter stand-up etc.)
  • News/Sports Studio Show

• Experimental

• Public Service Announcement

To see/download the 2023 Festival Program, click here.

Encouragement & Support

The main goal of the Michigan Student Film Festival is to provide encouragement and support to young people who are already creating media by acknowledging their efforts, rewarding their finest accomplishments and offering opportunities for study and advancement.

Each entry is reviewed by educational and media professionals and their feedback is sent to student filmmakers to prompt growth and reflection on their filmmaking skills and approach.

Michigan-focused, National Reach

In recognition of its work, DAFT was awarded the 2006 Governor’s Award for Arts & Culture. DAFT’s mission is to promote media literacy through the creative use of film and video.

The American Film Institute says that DAFT’s Michigan Student Film & Video Festival is the oldest festival in the nation providing public recognition for the work of students in grades K-12. In fact, many young people who got their first public exposure through this Festival have gone on to professional careers. And a few of them have even gotten awards at that really huge film festival known as the Oscars.

Venuee: Annually at the Detroit Institute of Arts' Detroit Film Theatre