International Children's Friendship Festival

Join Youth Voices 2026!

Want to share your voice, shape the future of this Festival, and build cross-cultural youth power in the Greater Seattle community? Click on the link below to join our 2026 Youth Voices project!Reach out to Zeynep Ertugay  Zeynep Ertugay (zeynepertugay@gmail.com), with any questions.

2026 YOUTH VOICES PROJECT

For its 2026 project, Youth Voices (YV) is creating a 10-minute short film that will premiere at the International Children’s Friendship Festival (ICFF) and online! The film will spotlight ICFF’s performing groups and tell the story of how local communities keep their cultures alive through youth leadership and collaboration. The short film will have 2 parts: a 5-minute music video, and a 5-minute “behind-the-scenes” feature

You can get involved in two different ways.

[A] Sign up as a PERFORMING GROUP by Friday, December 12th

  • Have your group featured in the short film! By March 1st, your group will prepare and send a short (15-20 second) music or dance segment to contribute to the music video. The YV Creative Team will also visit one of your practices to capture “behind-the-scenes” moments and footage.
  • What you get out of it: free, fun, and high-quality promotion for your group with little preparation needed, contribution to Seattle’s multicultural archives, plus the chance to educate others about your culture!
  • Available to all ICFF performing groups. More info in the application link. 

[B] Apply as an INDIVIDUAL YOUTH LEADER (ages 13-18) by Monday, December 1st 

  • Join the YV Creative Team as a screenwriter, videographer, choreographer, or outreach manager to develop the short film! Help shape the creative process, all while gaining experience, mentorship, and a chance to see your work featured in front of thousands. 
  • What you get out of it: a modest participation reward, free access to arts mentorship opportunities, volunteer hours, creative experience and resume development, plus an opportunity to showcase your work at the Festival and beyond!
  • Available to any youth between ages 13-18, but spots are limited / selective. More info in the application link.