by FilmInk Staff
Young creatives are being invited to submit their films into the 2025 Australia Youth Film Festival (AUYFF), with entries open until the end of May.
Now in its second year, 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 said the AUYFF provided a national platform for emerging talent to showcase their work, gain industry exposure, and access invaluable learning opportunities.
“In our inaugural year, we received 733 entries from around the country. 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,” he said.
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,” Mr Chow said.
Mr Chow said 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.
“We accept entries up to 20 minutes long of any story, genre and type, including short films, student projects, documentaries, music videos and more,” he said.
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.
Winner of last year’s Canon Best Cinematography category, 18 year-old Sam Jones, from Hobart, said entering the festival had helped forge connections with other like-minded filmmakers.
“I loved the industry day, especially exploring the ABC Ultimo studios. 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,” he said.
Sam is going to pursue an Arts degree at the University of Melbourne this year and wants to become a director.
For information, please visit https://auyff.com
About The Australia Youth Film Festival (AUYFF):
The Australia Youth Film Festival (AUYFF) is a not-for-profit initiative 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 is the Australian counterpart to the New Zealand Youth Film Festival (NZYFF), founded in 2022. Together, the festivals serve as a launchpad for young filmmakers, supporting the long-term sustainability of the screen industry by nurturing new talent and creativity. The program is entirely free to enter, ensuring accessibility to aspiring filmmakers across the country.
2025 partners include UTS, Canon, Adobe, Blackmagic Design, NSW Government, Screen NSW, City of Gold Coast, AFCI and Lemac.
About Ryan Chow, founder, the Australia Youth Film Festival (AUYFF)
Social entrepreneur Ryan Chow is the Founder and Director of the Australia Youth Film Festival (AUYFF) and the New Zealand Youth Film Festival (NZYFF), both not-for-profit organisations supported by industry leaders like Canon, Adobe, and Blackmagic Design.
A Canadian commerce and media graduate, Ryan founded AUYFF in 2023 following the success of NZYFF, which he started while at university. Ryan is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for young filmmakers and creating positive social outcomes in communities around the world. His work has been recognised by The Walt Disney Company, HBO, and HM The King’s Trust accelerator program.
