Upcoming Events

13th Y-CAM Film Festival

Join us in Washington, DC for the 13th annual Y-CAM Film Festival on March 13-15, 2026. The Festival program is now available.

Y-CAM Summer Filmmaking Course

Open to high school students (ages 14-18), this five-week intensive will guide you through the full film-production pipeline: from concept and script, to shooting and post-production. In this course, you wll form production teams, experiment with camera and sound techniques, editing methods, and finish with a public screening of your short film. Whether you’re just discovering the power of the lens or aiming to polish your storytelling chops, this course gives you the tools and community to bring your vision into focus.

Y-CAM Summer Animation Course

Get ready for an amazing summer in animation! Our five-week course invites young filmmakers aged 12-17 to explore storytelling through motion. You will learn about 2D animation, stop-motion, and clay-animation.

Y-CAM Advanced Filmmaking Course

This brand-new, advanced five-week summer program is designed for students ready to push their craft further. The Advanced Filmmaking Program includes a two-week on-location trip (destination to be announced) where you will practice documentary filmmaking in real-world settings (domestic or international). Back on campus, you’ll deepen your production and editing skills, work with seasoned mentors and tackle themes of place, story and impact. The result: a sophisticated short documentary produced by your team, equipped not only with technical know-how but a global perspective as well.

Anacostia Youth Film Festival

The Anacostia Youth Film and Media Festival will take place September 20–21, 2025, at the Anacostia Arts Center. As the first youth-led festival of its kind in the Washington, DC area, it celebrates the creativity and perspectives of young filmmakers, especially those from Wards 7 and 8.

Past Events

Y-CAM Production Grant

Applications for the first ever Y-CAM Production Grant are open.

Discord Meet-up: Y-CAM Film Festival and Film/Animation Production Grants explained

On Monday November 24th at 8PM join us live on our brand new Discord channel, to learn about the new Y-CAM website, how to submit to the 2026 Festival, and apply for the Y-CAM Production Grant! Meet other young filmmakers, share your projects, and get your questions answered.

Discord Meet-Up: Y-CAM Film Festival Submissions + Production Grant Q&A

Learn about the new Y-CAM website, how to submit to the 2026 Festival, and apply for the Y-CAM Production Grant! Meet other young filmmakers, share your projects, and get your questions answered.

The DC Film Society Cinema Lounge

The Cinema Lounge, a film discussion group, meets the third Monday of every month (unless otherwise noted) at 8:00pm online via Zoom. You do not need to be a member of the Washington DC Film Society to attend. Cinema Lounge is moderated by Adam Spector, author of the DC Film Society's Adam's Rib column.