Calling on all those budding Stephen Spielbergs and Bruce Beresfords out there! This one is for you.

Northern Beaches Council will hold its annual 24/7 Youth Film Festival this weekend and is inviting all those interested to register.

Now in its 17th year, the Festival is a short film competition for young people aged 12 – 24 in which participants have just 24 hours to make a seven minute film.

The competition begins this Saturday 29 September at 8am, when individuals or teams can register. A short film will be played which reveals information about specific items, phrases and locations which must be included in the short films. A secret rule will also be disclosed which all teams need to include in their film.

At about 10am, the competition begins and teams will race against the clock to bring their short films to fruition.

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan urged young film enthusiasts to get involved.

“The emphasis is on having fun, and making films exciting and challenging at the same time,” said Mayor Regan.

“Film making is an art and this competition is an excellent opportunity for young people to make a name for themselves as film producers of the future.

“If you’ve ever thought about making a short film; even if you have never done it before; why not enter and give it a go. You never know what it may lead to.”

All short films completed in the 24 hour period will be screened on 16 and 17 October at Hoyts Warringah Mall. From this, the top 10 films will be shortlisted and industry judges will then decide the category winners.

The finals night, held on 28 October at Hoyts Warringah Mall, will reveal the top 10 short films and which film won in each category.

Categories include Best Film, Best U/18 Film, Peoples Choice, Best Male and Female Awards, Best Script, Best Sound and Editing and Best Cinematography.

For more information, please see Council’s website

Media Enquiries: media@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 9942 2678