Young filmmakers – come one, come all

ENTRIES are now open for young North Coast filmmakers to enter the second annual Australia Youth Film Festival (AUYFF) 2025.

The not-for-profit initiative is dedicated to finding, celebrating, and empowering the next generation of Australian filmmakers and creators and is open to young creatives aged 15-24.

Festival Director and Founder Ryan Chow said the AUYFF provided a national platform for emerging talent to showcase their work and access invaluable learning opportunities.

“In our inaugural year, we received 733 entries from around the country,” Chow said.

“This year, we’re aiming to further diversify our pool of entrants and hoping for increased participation.”

Awards categories include Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Documentary, Best Animation, Best Acting, Best Under-18 Filmmaker, and Best Overall Film. Prizes include professional filmmaking equipment, mentorship, and educational programs.

Successful nominees will participate in an industry day designed to provide the filmmakers with access to industry insights, networking opportunities, and hands-on learning experiences.

One of the past Northern NSW entrants includes 16-year-old Quinn Ingram Arnold from Ewingsdale with his documentary film Trust the Bees.

This short and inspiring story is about a passionate young beekeeper in Byron Bay who struggles against devastating floods, fires and diseases to keep his bees alive. While searching for answers on the latest spread of varroa mite, he learns from a local bee whisperer that we must trust the bees in sticky situations.

When Arnold ordered a new queen bee to help his colony, it was lost, dying in transport via Australia Post. He was subsequently moved to advocate that no bees should be allowed to be posted in the mail.

The Animal Justice Party’s Emma Hurst MLC will soon present the film to the NSW Parliament as part of a campaign to cease the practice.

Aspiring filmmakers do not need expensive equipment to participate.

“Many successful entries have been shot on smartphones, demonstrating the power of creativity and storytelling,” Chow said.

“We accept entries up to 20 minutes long of any story, genre and type, including short films, student projects, documentaries and music videos.”

Industry professionals, public figures, and creative leaders will attend a livestreamed red-carpet awards ceremony held in Melbourne.

Submissions close at 11.59 pm, May 30. Entry is free.

For information, head to auyff.com