• Secret rules revealed: Wed 27 Aug 2025, 5pm 
• Film submissions open: Fri 29 Aug 2025, 5pm 
• Film submissions close: Sun 31 Aug 2025, 10pm 
• Finals and Awards night: Thu 18 Sept 2025, Hoyts Warringah Mall

1. Read and note the competition rules and guidelines
2. One team member completes the Team registration your team 
3. One team member pays the team entry fee ($50 + booking fee)
4. Each team member completes the Participant Consent and Indemnity form. If under 18, a parent/guardian will need to fill this out
5. Start planning your film 
6. The secret rules - a mystery item, phrase, and keyword - will be released Weds 27 Aug at 5pm. Weave these into your film in and when you're ready, start shooting! 
7. Submit your film by Sun 31 Aug, 10pm

Camera, phone or tablet for filming, editing and uploading film. 

Each film is scored on aspects such as storyline, acting, cinematography, use of secret rules, and overall audience appeal. The films are reviewed by a panel of judges made up of industry professionals, sponsors, Council staff, and other invited stakeholders

Upload your film to Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer or a private YouTube or Vimeo account and send the link to youth@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au.  When you email the link, please include 

1. Team name
2. Film name
3. Main contact person + phone number and email address
4. List of participants and the role they played in making the film. There are awards for individuals as well as teams
5. Which secret items and phrases you included

Read the Competition rules and guidelines. It's important stuff

Yes, you can use music - but there are some important rules

• You must use a legitimate copyright-free source (this is NOT iTunes, Spotify etc. which place commercial, copyright tracks on the web – it is illegal to use these)
• You can use Royalty Free music which can be found on a number of websites
• Outside of royalty-free music, you must have permission from the artist or band to use their music. If it is an original piece, you must own the copyright for the music. 

Great films start with great planning. 
Decide who you’re working with or if you're going solo. Think about strengths—are you more of a writer, actor, director, cinematographer, or a great organiser? There are heaps of roles, both in front and behind the camera.

Start thinking about:

• Genre – What type of film do you want to make? Action, drama, comedy, animation, mystery?
• Story – Come up with some basic story ideas you could build on when the secret rules are revealed.
• Location – Where will you film? Think about background noise and lighting
• Props - What will you need?

Tech Check. Before filming, make sure your camera or phone is set to the right video settings for good quality footage. Check out the Filmmaking Techniques page for tips, or search up quick tutorials on shooting, lighting, sound, and editing

Yes, you can! You're welcome to enter as many films as you like.
Just remember: each film counts as a separate entry, so you'll need to pay a new entry fee and fill out the forms as you would for a new team

There are opportunities to be featured at future film festivals and Council events such as outdoor cinemas. This provides ongoing exposure for local young aspiring filmmakers and showcases young people on the Northern Beaches. Films will be chosen based on the suitability for that particular event and audience. 

Yes! There’s a prize pool of $3000, plus awesome industry prizes to be won. 

Absolutely! It’s a great chance to see the top films on the big screen at Hoyts and celebrate with other creators. Seats are limited, so it’s first in, best dressed—invite your friends and family and don’t miss out on the awards presentation and all the excitement.