AFF Youth

Make a scene!

AFF Youth is an offshoot of the acclaimed Adelaide Film Festival — an opportunity for South Australian students and young people to experience the power of film, make industry connections, and share their own stories on the big screen.

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Schools Screening Day

Wed 21 Oct 2026 | Palace Nova Eastend

AFF Youth School Screening Day is a chance for students to build their film language and cultural understanding by engaging with hand-picked premier films for young people alongside work by their peers.

AFF Youth Gala

Thur 22 Oct 2026 | The Mercury

Nominated films from the AFF Youth Filmmaking Competition will be presented and awarded at the AFF Youth Gala, where young filmmakers will have the chance to walk the pink carpet, get their photo snapped and see their work on the big screen in front of a full cinema. Gala nominees and further details will be announced soon.

Competition

The Adelaide Film Festival Youth Filmmaking Competition is a rewarding opportunity for South Australian school students and young people to create, produce and share their films on the big screen as part of the internationally acclaimed Adelaide Film Festival. It’s a chance to embrace your creativity, meet new people and make industry connections in the buzzing South Australian film industry.

AFF Youth is seeking submissions across the three categories of Primary School, Middle School and Senior School films. We are looking for bold and original storytelling and encourage young people to embrace a diverse and complex world where they can make a courageous contribution.

Shortlisted films will screen at Adelaide Film Festival in our Schools Screening Day, with nominated films going on to screen at our Youth Gala, a pink-carpet event.

Awards and Prizes

Prizes will be awarded for:

Best Primary School Film - $500 presented by The Mercury

Best Middle School Film - $500 presented by AFTRS

Best Senior School Film - $500 presented by Adelaide University

People’s Choice - $1,000 presented by Westpac

Submissions are now closed.

Youth Jury

What can you have in common with Jacob Elordi, Kristen Stewart and David Lynch? Be on a film festival jury! Alongside the competition, AFF is seeking young film lovers to sit on our Youth Jury. The Youth Jury is a fantastic opportunity for young people to engage with screen culture by viewing, discussing and assessing short films made by their peers in South Australia. Jury members will watch all shortlisted Youth Filmmaking Competition films and meet (online and in person) to select the nominees and winners for Best Primary School Film, Best Middle School Film and Best Senior School Film.

All interested students are encouraged to apply. Applications should demonstrate analytical and communication skills, understanding of film form and an interest in the screen industry. Applicants must be secondary school students in South Australia and 15 years or older by 1 August 2026.

Expressions of Interest now closed.

Testimonals

“As a young person wishing to pursue a career in filmmaking, I have found this experience to be so beneficial and truly special. It has given me so much valuable knowledge and insight into the vast opportunities in the film industry here in South Australia.”

Gabby, previous Youth Jury member

"Being part of the AFF Youth Jury was an incredible experience that I’ll never forget. My knowledge of film grew immensely, and I had the amazing opportunity to meet industry people, including those from organisations such as Carclew. Since then, I’ve been inspired to continue pursuing filmmaking and am currently working on a film that I hope to submit to the Adelaide Youth Film Festival this year."

Violet, AFF Youth Jury member

"Having a local opportunity like this was a great way for my friends and I to develop skills in filmmaking and acting. It was amazing to see our work shown on the big screen and we were all glad to have been able to work together on this project. We are excited to collaborate on new films in the future!"

Gabriel, Filmmaker

"What I enjoyed most of the whole experience was seeing other young people's creativity. I really would recommend participating because you can choose any topic you like in any medium of film. All the entries were so different from each other, it was brilliant."

Percy, Filmmaker

AFF Youth 2026 program

Papaya

Almost gobbled up by a large bird, a tiny papaya seed is swept away from her loving mother tree. A grand odyssey awaits, as she sprouts legs and explores the jungle and the factories that lie beyond in this wonderfully inventive escapade that will speak to the whole family despite being dialogue-free.

Sad Girlz

Sixteen-year-old swimmer Paula crushes on Daniel, hoping to kiss him at a party she attends with her best friend, La Maestra. But excitement turns to dread in the days that follow, during a sweltering summer in Mexico City. A deft exploration of consent that every teenager should see.