Adelaide Film Festival
AFF Youth 2025 Filmmaking Competition
AFF Youth

AFF Youth 2025 Filmmaking Competition

Filmmaking Competition

The AFF 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, held 15 – 26 October 2025. It’s a chance for budding filmmakers to embrace their creativity, meet new people and make industry connections in the buzzing South Australian film industry.

The shortlisted films are judged by our AFF Youth Jury, made up of students from South Australia who nominate films from this list to be presented at the AFF Youth Gala. Young filmmakers will have the chance to walk the red carpet, get their photo snapped, and see their work on the big screen in front of a full cinema before the winners are presented.

Award Winners

Best South Australian Primary School Film

If They Only Knew - Blaise Childs-Fergie, Christian Hyrchel (Prospect North Primary School)

Best South Australian Middle School Film

Wrong Time – Jake McCormack (Homeschooled)

Best South Australian Senior School Film

Let's Live for Tonight – Chase Bradshaw (Prescott Southern) (Special Mention to додому (Home) – Sasha Babina (St John’s Grammar School)

Audience Award

Kadli: The Missing Dog – Eli Mitchell (Prospect North Primary School)

AFF Youth Jury

The AFF Youth Jury comprises six young film fanatics selected by AFF staff. Jury members judge short films entered by students from across South Australia in the AFF Youth Filmmaking Competition under the guidance of Adelaide Film Festival’s programming staff.

2025 AFF Youth Jurors

Anika Hiriyanna

Freya Garrett

Marren Garrett

Nina Daniel

Samara Al-Hilli

Xavier Paulson

Primary School Nominees

IF ONLY THEY KNEW

Dir. Blaise Childs-Fergie, Christian Hyrchel (Prospect North Primary School)

KADLI: THE MISSING DOG

Dir. Eli Mitchell (Prospect North Primary School)

Middle School Nominees

WRONG TIME

Dir. Jake McCormack (Homeschooled)

TODAY'S MISSION

Dir. Lucas Mark Poynter (Seaview High School)

MEANWHILE THE WORLD GOES ON

Dir. Fahad Salman Khan (Glenunga International High School)

Senior School Nominees

LET'S LIVE FOR TONIGHT

Dir. Chase Bradshaw (Prescott Southern)

BUTCHER'S BEST

Dir. Caitlin Rose Vass (Pembroke School)

THERE WERE CONSEQUENCES

Dir. Jonah Reed (St John's Grammar School)

THE ART OF SKATING

Dir. Mia Victoria Schaefer (Muirden Senior College)

додому (HOME)

Dir. Sasha Anna Babina (St John’s Grammar School)

RECONNECTION

Dir. Leah Newby (St John's Grammar)

Awards & Prizes

The competition cash prize categories are:

  • Best South Australian Primary School Film ($500) – presented by The Mercury

  • Best South Australian Middle School Film ($500) – presented by AFTRS

  • Best South Australian Senior School Film ($500) – presented by Adelaide University

  • Audience Award ($1000) – presented by Westpac

AFFY 2025 Competition Partners