Dunedin International Film Festival High School Film Competition

The Dunedin International Film Festival is proud to partner with Hungry Bull Productions to support the next generation of storytellers through the 2026 High School Film Competition. This program was created to encourage young filmmakers from around the world to share their voices, explore their creativity, and gain meaningful experience in the independent film community. To ensure accessibility for student creators, submissions are offered at a discounted entry fee of just $10, making participation affordable for emerging artists at every level of experience.

The High School Film Competition welcomes submissions from students across the globe and celebrates a wide range of storytelling styles, genres, and perspectives. Whether students are creating narrative shorts, documentaries, animation, experimental work, or socially driven projects, the festival aims to provide a professional platform where young filmmakers can showcase their talent alongside independent films from around the world. The competition reflects the festival’s commitment to arts education, cultural exchange, and fostering creative opportunities for youth.

Selected films are screened during the annual Dunedin International Film Festival each January, giving students the unique opportunity to have their work presented in a professional festival environment before live audiences, filmmakers, and industry guests. Winning filmmakers receive an official festival certificate recognizing their achievement, along with mentorship opportunities through Hungry Bull Productions. These mentorship experiences are designed to help students further develop their creative and professional skills by connecting them with working industry professionals and gaining valuable insight into the filmmaking industry.