Sundance Film Festival
Park City, United States
100
Tier AOscarScreenings
Festival dossier
Youth Free Expression Film Contest (NCAC)
United States · Est. 2004 · Multiple structural red flags — exercise caution before submitting
WarningWatchlist
United States
26
Legitimacy ScoreOverview
The Youth Free Expression Film Contest is an annual U.S. competition presented by the National Coalition Against Censorship, with support from the New York Film Academy, that invites teenagers to make short films about free speech, censorship, and other contemporary First Amendment issues. It is notable for being free to enter, open to young filmmakers in the United States and its territories, and for using themed prompts to encourage civic-minded storytelling across genres, including documentary, narrative, animation, and music video. Its significance comes from providing a long-running national platform for youth voices and from pairing recognition with scholarships, cash prizes, and public screening opportunities.
Last updated Aug 27, 2026
Legitimacy Analysis
Positive Indicators (+12 pts)
- 22 years of verifiable history
- 1 verified pro signal
Red Flags (-36 pts)
- Listed as 'competition' not 'festival' - likely online-only awards
- No physical screenings
- 1 documented risk signal
- On watchlist — negative reputation signals detected
Trust Signals
Risk Flags
- COMPETITION_NOT_FESTIVAL
Positive Signals
- Documented history with archived programs
Festival Details
Founded
2004
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Research
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At a glance
Legitimacy Score26/100
TierWarning
Reviews0
Community Reports0
How scoring works
Scores are calculated from structural indicators: accreditations, physical screenings, award category count, submission frequency, and acceptance rate. Higher scores reflect more verifiable legitimacy signals.
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