Arts news: Film festival call for entries, Music@Menlo season unveiling and more

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Christi Cooper’s film “Youth V. Gov” tells of 21 youth climate activists ages 8 to 19 who filed suit against the United States government in 2015 for violating their constitutional rights in failing to mitigate the climate crisis. The film was screened in 2021 at the United Nations Association Film Festival. Photo by Robin Loznak/courtesy Youth V. Gov.

United Nations Association Film Festival call for entries

The United Nations Association Film Festival (UNAFF) recently announced a call for entries for its 2026 edition, which will take place Oct. 15-25 at venues in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Stanford University and San Francisco.

The documentary film festival highlights films that explore human rights issues, with this year’s theme, “Passion for Change,” emphasizing the “energy, foresight, and courage required to respond wisely to the increasing pace and challenges of our times,” according to an event announcement.

The submission deadline is May 16 (the festival also offers an early deadline of May 6 and late deadline of May 26.)

In addition to its fall festival, throughout the year, UNAFF partners with area libraries and other community organizations to host programs and discussions featuring past festival films.

UNAFF accepts both short and feature-length documentaries, with no limit on runtime or on the year that the film was produced. Submission guidelines require that no film should be available to view online for free before the festival’s conclusion on Oct. 25.

For more information about the festival or how to submit a film, visit unaff.org/2026/submission.html.

Music@Menlo season announcement

Music@Menlo co-founders pianist Wu Han and cellist David Finckel will perform at a concert and reception Feb. 28 announcing what’s on tap for the 2026 Music@Menlo chamber music festival — the final event with the duo at the helm, as they plan to step down following the 2026 festival.

Incoming artistic directors cellist Dmitri Atapine and pianist Hyeyeon Park will join Wu Han and Finckel in performing a program of works that span the centuries, with selections from Bach and Mozart to Glière and Mendelssohn.

Audiences will also have a chance learn the theme and lineup for the summer music festival.

Feb. 28, 4 p.m., Spieker Center for the Arts, Menlo School, 50 Valparaiso Ave., Atherton.The event is sold out; to join the waitlist, call 650-331-0202. For more information, visit musicatmenlo.org.

Youth poetry contest

Submissions are open now through March 16 for an annual youth poetry contest presented by the Atherton Library and Atherton Youth Advisory Group. This year’s theme is “Poetry Without Borders.”

The contest, which opened in January, is open to all youth living or attending school in the Bay Area; poets must be between the ages of 2 and 18 as of the ending date of the competition, according to contest rules. Submissions can be made in one of three age categories: elementary school and below, middle school and high school.

Poems may be on any subject and of any length and style.

Winning poets will receive a cash prize — elementary school and below ($75), middle school ($120) and high school ($150) and will be invited to read their poems aloud at an awards ceremony planned for mid-April.

For more information, visit poetrywithoutborders.com/2026.html.