About Us
The International Youth Film Festival was founded in 2020 by Jack Wagreich, and aspires to create an inclusive platform for young filmmakers and screenwriters to showcase their work, reflecting a diversity of international identities presented in an annual, virtual festival. We are also deeply invested in expanding the reach of age-appropriate quality film to students in low-income schools as teaching tools.
Our Objectives
- We put on an annual film festival at no cost to students that principally features films by youth for youth (ages 14-21).
- We mobilize international ambassadors who help discover and promote youth-centered films and documentaries.
- We encourage film criticism by creating a platform where young people critique new and established films.
- We connect young people with resources in filmmaking, directing, acting, screenwriting, and film criticism.
- We provide a platform for young people to submit their film for review and presentation on an ongoing basis.
Our Founder
Hello. My name is Jack Wagreich. I am the founder of the International Youth Film Festival. I am a sophomore at Pace Academy in Atlanta, Georgia.
For as long as I can remember, stories have been my escape - allowing my imagination and ideas to evolve. While novels have enriched me, film has enabled me to become fully immersed within fictional worlds and celluloid legends coming to life on the silver screen.
Growing up, my parents did not allow video games in the house; however, they gave me more latitude by allowing me to watch mature films at a younger age. This further broadened my perspective on film, which in turn, has provided me with the inspiration to establish the International Youth Film Festival.
Though I am fortunate to have supportive parents who enable this kind of learning, I wanted to expand opportunities to students in families or schools without the access I have. As a result www.internationalyouthfilmfestival.com is a virtual platform that will feature films at no cost to students and provide a forum for youth, not only to be audience members, but also to share their own films as producers, directors, and actors.
For as long as I can remember, stories have been my escape - allowing my imagination and ideas to evolve. While novels have enriched me, film has enabled me to become fully immersed within fictional worlds and celluloid legends coming to life on the silver screen.
Growing up, my parents did not allow video games in the house; however, they gave me more latitude by allowing me to watch mature films at a younger age. This further broadened my perspective on film, which in turn, has provided me with the inspiration to establish the International Youth Film Festival.
Though I am fortunate to have supportive parents who enable this kind of learning, I wanted to expand opportunities to students in families or schools without the access I have. As a result www.internationalyouthfilmfestival.com is a virtual platform that will feature films at no cost to students and provide a forum for youth, not only to be audience members, but also to share their own films as producers, directors, and actors.