Empower Students Through Film

VSFF Junior Category

The VSFF Junior Category showcases young filmmakers from across Australia, featuring short films created by school students as part of the Very Short Film Festival.

From first-time creators to emerging young storytellers, this category celebrates creativity, imagination and storytelling through film.

Selected films are presented at the VSFF Premiere Festival Weekend in Hobart, Tasmania, before touring nationally as part of the VSFF program.

Junior Category Highlights

  • Open to Australian school students under 18
  • Entries may be submitted individually, as a class, or as a group
  • Films are 2–5 minutes in length
  • Selected films are showcased at the VSFF Premiere and National Tour

Meet Junior Category Winners

Dylan Burrows, VSFF 2023 Junior competition winner

Dylan Burrows

VSFF Winner 2023 for his film “The Polish Nut”

“I’ve always wanted to tell a family fable that was passed down to my father, then to me… and thought it would be the perfect story to share for this awesome film festival. Seeing my film on a big screen for the first time was an amazing experience! And winning at the VSFF feels surreal, but I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”

VSFF 2022 Junior Competition winners Jahvis Loveday and Joy Ben Hur

Jahvis Loveday & Joy Ben Hur

VSFF Winner 2022 for their film “Home”

“Being a part of the Very Short Film Festival was truly a dream from beginning to end. The energy of everyone involved made us feel like we had won before we had even received any award. So grateful to the amazing team involved for nurturing young filmmakers and amplifying diverse stories that need to be told. We left feeling truly inspired.”

Be Inspired by Past Films

The Polish Nut by Dylan Burrows 

Home by Jahvis Loveday & Joy Ben Hur

Kinetic Connection by Hayden Best

Getting Started with Your Film

Created by VSFF mentors, this step-by-step guide supports students, teachers and first-time filmmakers creating work for the Very Short Film Festival.

It covers planning, production and post, with practical tips to help young creators bring their stories to life.

Download the guide and start making your VSFF short film.

Grab a Camera, Friends and Make a Film

Get Creative

Think up a story with a meaning – include the VSFF annual signature, "Thread"

Shoot the Film

Grab a camera or your phone and shoot a film under 5 mins

Submit your Film

Enter for free in the Junior or micro film category

Join the Festival

Selected films screen at the National Premiere and tour Australia