The 24-Hour Kids' Smartphone Film Festival

The 24-Hour Kids' Smartphone Film Festival is an exciting new addition to the Artistry Festival weekend, giving young filmmakers the chance to express their creativity using only a smartphone. This unique challenge invites participants to write, shoot, edit, and complete their short films within just 24 hours.

This festival provides a wonderful opportunity for kids to engage with their surroundings, tapping into the beauty of the natural environment around them. With a focus on smartphone filmmaking, the festival ensures accessibility for all children, regardless of their technical resources, while encouraging creativity, resourcefulness, and innovative storytelling.

Participant Guidelines:

Time Limit: Participants have exactly 24 hours to complete their films, starting from the announcement of the theme.

Location: All films must be shot around Darling Harbour (a map will be provided).

Age Groups: Two categories—6–11 years old and 12–17 years old.

Smartphone Requirements: Any phone or tablet can be used, with no restrictions on apps or software.

Film Length: Maximum of 3 minutes.

Equipment: All filming and editing must be done entirely on smartphones or tablets.

Content: Kid-friendly themes only.

Genres: Participants are encouraged to experiment with genres such as comedy, drama, and animation.

Awards Categories:

Best Film (6–11 years old & 12–17 years old): The highest honor, awarded to the film that excels in creativity, storytelling, technical skill, and overall impact.

Most Creative Film (6–11 years old & 12–17 years old): Recognizes the most inventive and original approach, whether through storytelling, visuals, or concept.

Best Performance (6–11 years old & 12–17 years old): Awarded for the best acting performance by an individual or ensemble.

Festival Timeline:

Friday, 7 February 2025: Festival Kick-Off

6:00 PM – Theme and Brief Announcement: The festival officially begins with the announcement of the theme and brief on stage . This will also be live streamed and entrants will receive an email containing the information shortly after.

Friday, 6:00 PM – Saturday, 6:00 PM: Filmmaking Window

Participants have 24 hours to create their films, including writing, shooting, and editing. Films must be shot in the Darling Harbour area, and submissions are due by 6:00 PM on Saturday.

Saturday, 8 February 2025: Film Submission

6:00 PM – Submission Deadline:

All films must be uploaded to Google Drive, Dropbox, or Vimeo, with a downloadable link emailed to theartistrymedia@gmail.com. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Sunday, 9 February 2025: Screening and Awards Ceremony

10:00 AM – All-Day Film Screenings: All submitted films will be showcased throughout the day in the pavilion on a large screen, providing participants, families, and the public an opportunity to view the creative entries.

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM – Awards Ceremony: The festival concludes with an awards ceremony, where winners in various categories will be announced. Participants, families, and festival attendees will gather to celebrate the achievements of the young filmmakers.

This festival promises to be a fun, creative, and inspiring experience for young storytellers, encouraging them to unleash their potential and explore the world of filmmaking.

Award winners will be celebrated with a trophy recognising their achievement and will also receive a selection of exciting goodies.

Eligibility:

Age Requirement: The competition is open to children aged 6 to 17. Participants must have parental/guardian consent to enter. Written permission from a parent or legal guardian is required. The parent/guardian must also agree to the competition rules and terms and conditions.

Team Participation: Participants may enter as individuals or as part of a team. All team members must meet the age and consent requirements.
Residency: The competition is open to participants residing in Sydney NSW, or be willing to travel to Sydney for The Artistry Festival.

Theme & Creative Requirements:

Theme: All films must adhere to the theme announced at the start of the 24-hour competition period.

Original Content: All films must be created within the 24-hour competition window. Participants may not use any pre-recorded footage, and all content must be original.

Film Length: Each film must be no longer than 3 minutes, including credits.

Smartphone Requirement: Films must be shot entirely using smartphones or tablets. Editing may be done on any device or software, but the filming itself must be exclusively done with a smartphone.

Content Restrictions: Films must be age-appropriate and suitable for all audiences. No explicit language, violence, or inappropriate material will be accepted. Any offensive content, including discriminatory language or actions, will result in disqualification. Films must not promote illegal activities or infringe on the rights of others.

Technical Requirements:

Resolution: Films should be submitted in a minimum resolution of 1080p.

File Format: Films must be submitted in one of the following file formats: MP4, MOV, or AVI.

Submission Method: Films should be uploaded via Google Drive, Vimeo or Dropbox, and made downloadable, by the submission deadline.

File Naming: Please name your file in the following format: TeamName_FilmTitle.mp4.

Competition Timeline:

Kick-off: The competition will begin on the 7th of February at 6 pm. The theme will be announced at this time, and participants will have exactly 24 hours to complete their films.

Submission Deadline: All films must be submitted by 6 pm on the 8th of February. Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Judging: Films will be reviewed and judged after the submission period ends.
Screening & Awards: The festival screening and awards ceremony will take place at 4 pm on the 9th of February.

Awards Categories:

Best Film (6-11 years old & 12-17 years old)- The highest honour, awarded to the film that excels in creativity, storytelling, technical skill, and overall impact.

Most Creative Film (6-11 years old & 12-17 years old) - Awarded to the film that shows the most inventive and original approach, whether through storytelling, visuals, or concept.

Best Performance (6-11 years old & 12-17 years old) - Recognises the best acting performance by an individual or ensemble in a film.

Code of Conduct:

Respect: Participants are expected to treat fellow competitors, judges, and festival staff with respect. Any bullying, harassment, or inappropriate behaviour will result in disqualification.

Fair Play: Any form of cheating, plagiarism, or failure to follow the competition rules will lead to immediate disqualification.

Legal and Copyright:

Originality: All submissions must be the original work of the participant(s). Any use of copyrighted music, images, or footage without proper permission will result in disqualification.

Film Rights: By submitting a film, participants grant the festival organisers permission to screen the film and use it for promotional purposes, including social media, marketing materials, and future festival events.

Ownership: Participants retain ownership of their films but agree to the festival's usage rights for promotional and screening purposes.

Parental/Guardian Responsibilities:

Parents or guardians are responsible for:
- Ensuring that their child abides by the competition rules.
- Providing the necessary permissions for participation.
- Ensuring that all submissions are appropriate and meet the guidelines.

Privacy:

Personal information collected during registration will only be used for festival-related communication and will not be shared with third parties without consent.

Disqualification:

Participants may be disqualified for:
- Failing to submit their film by the deadline.
- Submitting content that does not adhere to the theme or exceeds the time limit.
- Violating the content restrictions or using third-party material without proper licensing.
- Disruptive or inappropriate behaviour.

Liability:

Festival Responsibility: The organisers will not be liable for any technical issues, equipment failure, or disruptions experienced during the competition period.

Participant Responsibility: Participants enter the competition at their own risk. The festival will not be responsible for any loss, damage, or injury incurred during participation.

Amendments:

The festival organisers reserve the right to amend these rules at any time. Participants will be notified of any significant changes before the competition begins.

Overall Rating
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Value
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Hospitality
Networking
  • Indie Jones

    Such a fun event to be a part of. It was a huge learning experience creating a film in just 24 hours, and I hope to be a part of the next one. Big thank you to the organisers and judges of this event. I was thrilled to recieve best film (jnr category 6-11yrs) when all the other film makers did such a fantastic job 👏

    February 2025