What is Be Reel?
Be Reel Child & Youth Film Festival celebrates young voices through film. Over three days on Memorial Day Weekend 2026, our Maui community will gather to watch youth-created films, hear
authentic stories and explore
the issues that matter most
to young people.
Stories about sustainability, fairness, friendship, identity,
mental health and belonging. Through a perspective that
adults often miss.
Be Reel Child & Youth Film Festival
Maui’s first film festival for kids, about kids and by kids.
When: Memorial Day Weekend, May 22-25, 2026
Where: Maui – More details to come
What you can expect:
Screenings of competition films made by Maui Youth
Curated international cause-based children’s films
Awards ceremony celebrating young filmmakers
Be Reel Film Competition
Young filmmakers ages 6 – 20 get to create original short
films about causes they care about – social issues,
community topics or environmental concerns.
The competition categories can also cover a range of formats,
like, but are not limited to Docu-Style, Music Video, How-To Short, Animation, Story Form. Choose a format that resonates with you and your preference of Story Telling. Make it, submit it, screen it at the festival.
The best films in each category will win awards and prizes.
The competition opens January 15, 2026. Films must be
submitted by April 1, 2026.
Make MY Day Better
Not every young person wants to make a full film. Some might not be ready. Some might be too shy. But they still want to be heard.
Make My Day Better gives everyone a voice.
Just answer one question on video:
“What would make your day better?”
15-60 seconds. No competition. No judging.
Everyone who takes part gets the chance to appear in our
Make My Day Better film that will premiere at the festival.
Open to ages 6-20.
Parent permission
For parents
Young filmmakers under 18 will need parent or guardian permission to enter the competition.
Simple consent forms will be part of the entry process when registration opens in January.
About Real Action for Kids
Be Reel is presented by Real Action for Kids (RAK),
an initiative launched by Imua Family Services.
RAK works to raise awareness for the needs of Maui’s keiki
and drive real action in our community. We unite individuals, businesses, nonprofits and community partners who believe Maui’s youth deserve every opportunity to succeed.
By championing youth storytelling through Be Reel, we recognize children and youth not just as future leaders, but as today’s changemakers.
Follow RAK:
About Imua
Founded in 1947, Imua Family Services provides compre-
hensive care and support for children facing various chal-
lenges across Maui, Molokai and Lanai.
Imua’s programs include clinical therapies and play-based
activities that help children reach their full potential.
Follow IMUA:
Our partners
Get involved
Want to support Be Reel? Interested in
sponsorship or partnership opportunities?
Contact
Have any questions about the festival,
competition or how to participate?
Contact: Phone: 808-244-7467
Email: film@discoverimua.com
What is Be Reel?
Be Reel Child & Youth Film Festival celebrates young voices through film. Over three days on Memorial Day Weekend 2026, our Maui community will gather to watch youth-created films, hear authentic stories and explore the issues that matter most to young people.
Stories about sustainability, fairness, friendship, identity, mental health and belonging. Through a perspective that adults often miss.
Be Reel Child &
Youth Film Festival
Maui’s first film festival for kids, about kids and by kids.
When: Memorial Day Weekend, May 22-25, 2026
Where: Maui – More details to come
What you can expect:
Screenings of competition films made by Maui Youth Curated international cause-based children’s films Awards ceremony celebrating young filmmakers
Be Reel Film Competition
Young filmmakers ages 6 – 20 get to create original short films about causes they care about – social issues, community topics or environmental concerns.
The competition categories can also cover a range of formats,
like, but are not limited to Docu-Style, Music Video, How-To Short, Animation, Story Form. Choose a format that resonates with you and your preference of Story Telling. Make it, submit it, screen it at the festival.
The best films in each category will win awards and prizes. The competition opens January 15, 2026. Films must be
submitted by April 1, 2026.
Make My Day Better
Not every young person wants to make a full film. Some might not be ready. Some might be too shy. But they still want to be heard.
Make My Day Better gives everyone a voice. Just answer one question on video:
15–60 seconds. No competition. No judging.
Everyone who takes part gets the chance to appear in our Make My Day Better film that will premiere at the festival. Open to ages 6-20.
Parent Permission
Young filmmakers under 18 need parent or guardian permission to participate. Simple consent forms are part of the registration process for both the Film Competition and Make My Day Better.
We’re committed to keeping this safe, supportive and age-appropriate.
About Real Action for Kids
Be Reel is presented by Real Action for Kids (RAK), an initiative launched by Imua Family Services.
RAK works to raise awareness for the needs of Maui’s keiki and drive real action in our community. We unite individuals, businesses, nonprofits and community partners who believe Maui’s youth deserve every opportunity to succeed.
Follow RAK:
Our Sponsors
About Imua
Founded in 1947, Imua Family Services provides comprehensive care and support for children facing various challenges across Maui, Molokai and Lanai.
Imua’s programs include clinical therapies and play-based activities that help children reach their full potential.
Follow IMUA:
Get involved
Want to support Be Reel?
Interested in sponsorship or
partnership opportunities?
Contact
Have any questions about the festival, competition or how to participate?
Contact: Phone: (808) 244-7467
Email: film@discoverimua.com
