Datebook: Celluloid Kids

At age 17, Seattleite Jesse Harris wanted so badly to bring a film he’d written to fruition, he talked his parents into putting his entire college fund toward producing and directing it. Eventually, Living Life was shown both theatrically and on television, but perhaps more importantly, Harris’ experience inspired him to create the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (with fellow young filmmaker friends Jocelyn R.C. and Kyle Seago). The 3-year-old festival only accepts films (any genre, any length) from filmmakers ages 22 and younger. Apparently Harris hit a nerve—both for young wannabe filmmakers and marketers hoping to reach this demographic. This year, NFFTY (whose sponsors include heavy hitters Volvo and Comcast) will screen more than 100 youth-made films in three local venues, while also offering filmmaking workshops and, of course, several networking events—because in the movie biz, you’re never too young to start schmoozing. 

See the festival for yourself, April 24 through April 26