By Lookout Staff 

June 4, 2012 -- They range in length from one to 20 minutes and span genres from live action and animation to experimental and documentary, but the films to be showcased the 7th Annual Santa Monica Teen Film Festival this month have one thing in common.

They provide a unique glimpse into the creativity of young people from across the globe, with entries from as far away as Hong Kong, Sydney, Jerusalem and London and as near as Santa Monica itself.

The festival -- which culminates with three free screenings -- will showcase 55 selected films from a total of more than 300 entries, according to festival organizers. At the end of each screening session, the audience will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite for our “Audience Choice” award.

The festival's purpose is to "showcase and provide an outlet for the creative talents of teen filmmakers, as well as encourage youth to use the art of filmmaking as a form of creative expression and commentary on the world in which they live," organizers said.

Screening 1 will take place at the Miles Memorial Playhouse, 1130 Lincoln Boulevard, Saturday, June 9 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will feature family oriented films appropriate for kids 6 and older. It will include 60 minutes of mostly animated films.

Screening 2 will take place that day at Miles Playhouse from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and will be comprised of films appropriate for those 10 and older, although parental guidance is suggested since there are "some mature themes and brief moments of violence and gore," according to festival organizers.

Screening 3 will take place at the Main Library Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard, Sunday, June 10 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. and feature films appropriate for those 7 and older.  The award ceremony will follow the screening.

There will be an Audience Award as well as awards given by a panel of industry professionals and teenagers that will present the overall film achievement awards. Categories include “Best of the Fest”, “Best Documentary,” “Best Animation,” “Best Music Video,” and the “Green Choice Award,” a new category that recognizes the film that best displays the spirit of Environmentalism.

A Santa Monica Budding Filmmaker award will go to a local teen who "displays the talent and passion for a future filmmaking career," organizers said.

Prizes include, gift certificates, trophies and networking with Mike Upton, a veteran independent producer of more than 25 Hollywood films, including “The Road,” “Akeelah and the Bee” and “Madea’s Family Reunion.

“It is a thrill to watch young filmmakers take advantage of the tools that are so readily available today and create stories that are unique to them and this moment in time,” Upton said.

The Santa Monica Teen Film Festival is an interdepartmental initiative between the Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division, the Santa Monica Public Library, and the Virginia Avenue Park Teen Center.

For more information about the festival visit www.santamonicateenfilmfestival.com.