Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival

Young people from all over the world are once again invited to participate in the "Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival" (DBGYFF), the Salesian international youth film festival. The Social Communication Sector of the Salesian Congregation has in fact joyfully announced the third edition of the competition, the final of which is scheduled for 17-18 October 2024 - as usual in a multitude of realities and locations in over 100 countries around the world. With reference to the bicentenary year of the dream of Don Bosco at the age of nine, and in tune with the global concern for the care of Creation, the theme of this year's festival is: "I have a Dream - Youth and Climate Change - Making Mother Earth Cleaner and Greener".

For this new edition, "DBGYFF 2024" opens its doors to all the world's young men and women, between the age of 14 to 25, regardless of their nationality, religion, creed and culture  to participate in the festival.

Enthusiastic about the initiative is the General Councillor for Social Communication, Fr Gildasio Mendes, who said: "A significant novelty of this third edition will be the collaboration and organizational involvement also of the Youth Pastoral Sector. Thanks to their contribution and great support, together with the collaboration of our Delegates for Social Communication and many collaborators of the Salesian Family around the world, we count on reaching thousands and thousands of young people, to involve them once again in this initiative, which aims to give them an opportunity for artistic expression on themes that are central to today's boys and girls: the ability to dream, the reality of our Common Home".

Compared to the past, the categories have also increased, rising from three to five. Thus, short films can now be submitted in the following sections: 2-minute shorts, 5-minute shorts, 5-minute animated films, 5-minute music videos and documentaries up to 10 minutes.

The rich portfolio of Awards in the DBGYFF's editions have subsequently increased, to a record of 120,000 euros, to be distributed as follows: 15 prizes for the best shorts on the global level, 70 for the best shorts on the regional level, 9 for category prizes, 7 for the best young people awards and 5 for jury choice awards.

The two editions held in the past (2021 and 2023) - both supported by the 'DON BOSCO NEL MONDO' Foundation, which confirms its support for this new competition as well - have already achieved great success: in terms of the number of young people involved, the quality works realized, the messages launched to the world on the themes of hope, Salesians, members of the Salesian Family and young people from all over the world.

That’s the reason DBGYFF’s Festival Director, Fr Harris Pakkam, remarks: "Thanks to the great support and cooperation of so many, we were able to organize two editions of the festival, with good success.  Through this festival we have been able to reach many hundreds of thousands of young people all over the world, celebrate their creativity, reward their efforts and make the name of Don Bosco and the Salesian mission resound throughout the world. The festival is bound to move towards greater heights, and we are developing on what has already been built, and pushing our gaze, our objectives and our perspectives even further: our dream, in fact, is to stimulate the protagonism of young people, so that they may be the primary creators of a better world'.

To submit shorts to DBGYFF 2024, it is necessary to follow the simple rules and guidelines in order to be selected and participate in the festival. Entries will open from 24 April and close on 31 July 2024.

All information regarding the festival can be found on the web portal: www.dbgyff.com.