Of course you can compete in any festival, but some are more open to fresh ideas, less hidebound than others.
Many of the ones we list here welcome active participation too. We list them by closing dates for entries. We recommend sending films on DVD because many other countries use the PAL television system rather than America's NTSC system. European DVD players can handle both types but tape players may not. Click on the festival names for more details.

Aimed at people hoping to go into the industry, the main prize is the kit and materials to make a 16mm or HD video production.

This has three categories of entry: up to 15 years old / 15 to 19 years old / 19 to 25 years old. There is no limit on subject matter. Maximum length 25 minutes. There is also a one-minute movie contest.

This festival has sections for under-12s, under-18s and adults. There is no apparent length limit. Entry fee around 15 Euros=$19.

This is for under-18s and films up to 10 minutes - the catch is that any dialogue or text must be in Russian.

They are keen that you attend and even if your film is not selected for screening you can discuss it privately with the judges. That is why they offer accommodation and half-board for film makers who attend the festival.

This has specially reduced entry fees for students on official courses.

They mean a contest for people in high schools!

No special arrangements for student film makers but they are one of the few festivals with a category for videoart and experimental works. The festival only operates in odd-numbered years: 2009, 2011, 2013 and so on.

This has a special section for under-18s. Films up to 20 minutes long.

Includes a section for Productions made by film-school students during their studies.

start of October - AIFVF (American International Film & Video Festival)

Forgive us plugging our own festival, but we do have a special student
section and special awards.