As a side competition to the annual Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, the Sine Kabataan Short Film Competition is conducted by the FDCP as a platform for aspiring young filmmakers to expose their talents and skills and to encourage the youth to develop their creativity and originality in storytelling. Touching on important issues, the Sine Kabataan short films are screened along with PPP featured films.

Now in its 4th year and for the first time, the Sine Kabataan conducted an open call for story concepts, garnering over 200 submissions from young filmmakers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Ten (10) story concepts were selected and were granted production funding as well as lab support with mentors to develop their story concepts, film their projects, and finally produce their short films.