Young creatives and aspiring filmmakers are being invited to submit their films into the 2025 Australia Youth Film Festival (AUYFF), with entries open until the end of May.
The AUYFF is a free-to-enter competition dedicated to finding, celebrating, and empowering the next generation of Australian filmmakers and creators.
Festival Director Ryan Chow says the AUYFF provides a national platform for emerging talent to showcase their work, gain industry exposure and access invaluable learning opportunities.
The social entrepreneur is the founder and director of both the AUYFF and the New Zealand Youth Film Festival (NZYFF), both not-for-profit organisations supported by industry leaders, such as Canon, Adobe and Blackmagic Design.
“In our inaugural year, we received 733 entries from around the country,” Chow says.
“This year we’re aiming to further diversify our pool of entrants, and hoping for increased participation in particular from Victoria, along with the two film-centric destinations of Perth and the Gold Coast.”
The AUYFF is dedicated to finding, celebrating, and empowering the next generation of Australian filmmakers and creators. Open to young creatives aged 15-24, the festival provides a national platform for emerging talent to showcase their work, gain industry exposure, and access invaluable learning opportunities.
AUYFF’s awards span multiple categories, including Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Documentary, Best Animation, Best Acting, Best Under-18 Filmmaker and Best Overall Film. Prizes include a mix of professional filmmaking equipment, mentorship opportunities and educational programs.
“The competition culminates in a live-streamed red-carpet awards ceremony – to be held in Melbourne this year – celebrating the achievements of young filmmakers in a high-profile setting attended by industry professionals, public figures and creative leaders,” says Chow.
Chow says AUYFF is committed to accessibility and affordability, emphasising that aspiring filmmakers do not need expensive equipment to participate.
“Many successful entries have been shot on smartphones, demonstrating the power of creativity and storytelling,” he says.
“We accept entries up to 20 minutes long of any story, genre and type, including short films, student projects, documentaries, music videos and more.”
Successful nominees to the AUYFF will be invited to participate in an industry day, an exclusive event designed to provide the filmmakers with unparalleled access to industry insights, networking opportunities and hands-on learning experiences.
18 year-old Sam Jones, from Hobart, was the winner of last year’s Canon Best Cinematography category and says entering the festival had helped forge connections with other like-minded filmmakers.
“I loved the industry day, especially exploring the ABC Ultimo studios,” says Jones, who plans to pursue an Arts degree at the University of Melbourne this year and wants to become a director.
“Being able to see some of the sets was so interesting and inspiring and wouldn’t have been possible without the festival so I’m very grateful – and keen to submit more films.”
