CHICAGO — Emerging filmmakers from across the United States will take centre stage during National Youth Day on 27 June as the Lincoln Presidential Foundation hosts the 2026 Latest Generation Film Contest Premiere, an event designed to celebrate youth creativity, civic leadership and storytelling ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.
The red-carpet premiere is part of Youth250, a nationwide initiative led by Made By Us that encourages young people to play an active role in shaping how the country’s history is understood while contributing ideas for its future. The event also forms part of Civic Season, an annual nationwide civic engagement movement held from Juneteenth through to 4 July.
Organisers say the Chicago event will showcase award-winning short documentaries produced by filmmakers aged between 14 and 22. The films explore this year’s theme, “Think Anew, Act Anew,” highlighting stories of civic courage, cultural leadership and community impact through the experiences of individuals and groups that have helped shape American society.
The selected documentaries cover a broad range of subjects, including civil rights advocates, Afro-Puerto Rican artists, champions of free expression and Deaf community leaders who fought to preserve American Sign Language. By focusing on these stories, the competition aims to encourage young people to examine history through fresh perspectives while demonstrating how civic engagement continues to influence communities today.
The Latest Generation Film Contest has become an important platform for emerging filmmakers to develop documentary storytelling skills while presenting projects that explore historical and contemporary issues. The initiative provides participants with an opportunity to share original work before educators, historians, community leaders and members of the public.
“National Youth Day is about recognizing that young people are already helping shape the American story,” said Caroline Klibanoff, Executive Director of Made By Us. “These films demonstrate the creativity, curiosity, and civic imagination that young people are bringing to conversations about our history, our democracy, and our future.”
The competition recognises outstanding young creators from across the country, with participants contributing films that reflect diverse experiences and perspectives. Organisers say the contest demonstrates how documentary filmmaking can be used to encourage civic participation while preserving important cultural narratives.
Among this year’s honourees is 18-year-old Cameron Kirkegaard of Grand Junction, Colorado, who received a Special Recognition award for his contribution to the programme.
“Being selected for the Latest Generation Film Contest is an incredible honor,” said 18-year-old Cameron Kirkegaard, one of this year’s Special Recognition winners from Grand Junction, Colorado. “History, and more importantly progress, is made and by people who take risks and think anew.“
The Latest Generation Film Contest is presented through a partnership between the Lincoln Presidential Foundation and The Better Angels Society. The programme is supported by the Amy Margerum Berg Education Fund, which helps promote educational initiatives focused on history, civic learning and documentary filmmaking.
The 2026 premiere will take place on Saturday, 27 June, at 164 N. State Street, Chicago, with a reception scheduled to begin at 4:00 pm, followed by the official film premiere programme at 5:00 pm.
In addition to screening the award-winning documentaries, the event will feature red carpet arrivals by participating filmmakers, awards presentations recognising emerging creators and interview opportunities with filmmakers, educators and community leaders. Activities linked to National Youth Day and Civic Season will also form part of the programme, highlighting the role of young people in strengthening civic participation through storytelling and creative expression.
As preparations continue for America’s 250th anniversary, organisers say initiatives such as Youth250 are intended to ensure younger generations remain actively involved in exploring the nation’s history while contributing ideas that will help shape its future. Through film, education and community engagement, the programme aims to provide young storytellers with a platform to share perspectives that inspire wider public discussion and participation.
