Five years ago, Seattle teen Jesse Harris started what’s now the largest showcase of young filmmakers (22 and under) in the country, the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY). More than 200 films, from full-length features to experimental shorts, screen this weekend (Apr 28–May 1), but the good people at NFFTY pulled together a “must list” of shows and events. We picked five our our favorites:

Panels
Sharing Your Vision in the Digital Age: Hear what it takes to effectively finance and distribute your film—and contend with piracy and streaming media—from Hollywood producer Dana Brunetti (The Social Network); Valerie Van Galder, former head of marketing for Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures; and Hayden Black, creator and star of 2006 web comedy Goodnight Burbank. Moderated by Nicholas de Wolff, cofounder of the Producers Guild of America New Media Council. $10, Fri, Apr 29, 11:30am, SIFF Cinema.

Happy Hour
Short Films and Free Beer Ease into the weekend with an IPA from Fremont Brewing and seven short films—of note, animated comedy “Bait,” about worms that discover they’re in a bait bucket; and “The Spaghetto,” about a homeless man enjoying the meal of his life. $10, Fri, Apr 29, 5pm, SIFF Cinema, all ages welcome (21+ for beer).

Screenings
Through My Eyes: Some of the festival’s younger filmmakers (age 14 and up) tackle major themes in these 10 short films, including gay marriage, immigration, cancer, love, war, and the great vegetarian debate. $10, Sat, Apr 30, noon, Learning Lab at EMP | SFM.

Centerpiece Shorts: Check out seven of the weekend’s best short films, by 18- to 22-year-olds from the UK, Mexico, and California. The lineup includes a world premiere by 22-year-old Heather Morris (aka spacey Brittany on Glee ); she makes her directorial debut with “The Elevator,” about a boy who overcomes his fear of elevators to chat with the girl of his dreams (Morris, naturally). $10, Sat, Apr 30, 7pm, SIFF Cinema.

Closing Night
NW Scene: The festival wraps with 13 narrative shorts and music videos by Washington filmmakers (and one Californian), to be followed by an awards ceremony. $10, Sun, May 1, 6:30pm, SIFF Cinema.

The National Film Festival for Talented Youth runs Apr 29–May 1. For the full schedule, go to nffty.org.