Young filmmakers from across Scotland will descend on Ayrshire next month as the Scottish Youth Film Festival brings its 2026 event to Prestwick.
The Scottish Youth Film Festival (SYFF) will take place at Prestwick Academy on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 October, offering two days of screenings, workshops, industry insights, networking and awards.
The free annual festival celebrates young filmmakers and creatives aged between 12 and 26 and moves to a different part of Scotland each year, helping make opportunities within film and television more accessible to young people regardless of where they live.
New Talent Showcase opens festival
The Ayrshire festival will begin on Friday 2 October with the New Talent Showcase, running from 6pm until 9pm and aimed specifically at filmmakers aged 19 to 26.
The evening will feature short films created by emerging Scottish filmmakers alongside opportunities for young creatives to meet industry professionals and others working towards careers in film and television.
Television producer Sarah Purser will also take part in an “In Conversation” Q&A, discussing her work on the upcoming Scottish drama Wax Fruit.
Full day of film and television opportunities
The main festival takes place on Saturday 3 October between 10am and 4.30pm and will be open to young people aged 12 to 26.
Organisers say the programme has been designed both for those considering filmmaking for the first time and young people already taking their first steps into Scotland’s screen industries.
The day will include practical workshops, talks and panel discussions, one-to-one sessions with industry professionals, screenings and networking opportunities.
Awards will also be presented, while visitors will have access to exhibitor areas and a complimentary lunch.
David Barras, Co-Founder of SYFF, said:
“We can’t wait to welcome young filmmakers from across Scotland to Ayrshire this October. The Scottish Youth Film Festival is all about celebrating creativity, building connections and helping young people discover opportunities within the screen industries.
“Keeping the festival free to attend is incredibly important to us, ensuring as many young people as possible can take part. We are hugely grateful to Screen Scotland for their continued funding and support, which helps us create these opportunities and nurture the next generation of Scottish filmmaking talent.”
Fi Milligan-Rennie, Head of Education at Screen Scotland, said:
“It’s fantastic to be able to continue our support for the Scottish Youth Film Festival. SYFF strongly compliments our Film and Screen Curriculum work, breaking down the many and varied roles in the screen industry and highlighting possible career paths for young people in Scotland. This is incredibly important in widening access to and diversity of the screen workforce in Scotland in the years to come.”
More announcements to come
Further programme announcements and ticket information are expected to be released in the coming weeks, with organisers working alongside a number of Ayrshire partners to deliver this year’s event.
The Scottish Youth Film Festival is produced by the Scottish Youth Film Foundation, a charity established in 2014 which uses film and creative media to help young people across Scotland develop skills in filmmaking, journalism and digital storytelling.
Its work includes creative projects, training, festivals and outreach programmes designed to give young people opportunities to tell their own stories, build confidence and explore potential careers within the creative industries.
The festival is supported by Screen Scotland, with the Scottish Youth Film Foundation also receiving support from The Sean Connery Foundation.
Scottish Youth Film Festival 2026
📍 Prestwick Academy, Ayrshire
📅 Friday 2 October – Saturday 3 October 2026
🎬 New Talent Showcase: Friday, 6pm–9pm, ages 19–26
🎥 Main Festival: Saturday, 10am–4.30pm, ages 12–26
🎟️ Free to attend
Further programme and ticket details will be announced shortly.