Film By

Kindergarten to Year 11

Film By provides teachers and students with filmmaking skills and expertise to tell their own stories. The program includes festivals, workshops and professional learning opportunities in film for teachers and students from all schools in NSW.
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Group of students filming a scene with cameras and a boom microphone

About Film By

Film By empowers both teachers and students with the art of storytelling through filmmaking, offering a comprehensive program that encompasses festivals, workshops, and professional learning opportunities. This initiative opens doors for participants from public schools across NSW to explore their creativity and hone their skills in the captivating world of cinema.

At the heart of Film By are the remarkable student filmmakers, spanning from Kindergarten to Year 11, whose achievements are celebrated in local cinemas throughout NSW as part of a series of dynamic festivals.

The exclusive Film By Invitation and CApture events elevates the excitement, spotlighting the most exceptional films from across the state and promising an unforgettable premiere experience.

Our state festivals are divided into:

  • Film By Invitation showcases the finest exemplary films created by students from Kindergarten to Year 11, selected from across all local Film By festivals.
  • CApture highlights outstanding films from students in Years 9 to 11. Please note that while selections aim to represent a diverse range of talent, inclusion from each festival is not guaranteed.)

Moreover, Film By extends its reach digitally, providing accessible resources and hosting enriching workshops statewide, ensuring that the magic of filmmaking is within reach for all public schools in NSW.

On this page

Enquiries

Karishma Mathur
Film By Officer
The Arts Unit
karishma.mathur@det.nsw.edu.au
0427 770 377

How to enter

Schools are encouraged to showcase their cinematic creations at their local Film By festival. For those without a nearby festival, fear not; you can submit your students' films to Film By Online.

Films must be no longer than 3.5 minutes and be G-rated.
All guidelines can be found on our how to enter pages. 

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Support

Resources

Lights, camera, action! is an online resource created by The Arts Unit that supports teachers and students in all aspects of filmmaking, including camera, story, sound, pre-production, production, and post-production. 

You can also access CApture resources.

Film kits and equipment

Technology for Learning (T4L) loans film equipment to accommodate 30 students, with each kit containing 10 cameras for group work. To borrow, fill out a booking form. Explore the STEM.T4Lfilm kit on their YouTube channel.

Viva Engage

This year, we have a new Film By Viva Engage (Yammer) page. We encourage you to ask questions and submit any scripts for feedback through this platform.

Digital library

All films created by Film By Festivals from across the state in 2023 are currently online and curated into a digital library for schools to access. Schools might like to view these films with their students as stimulation for their films. There are 164 films in the collection.

Workshops

Apply for Film By workshops or email Film By Officer karishma.mathur@det.nsw.edu.au to express your interest in the Film By team coming to your local area for a workshop.

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Film By Invitation

Roll out the virtual red carpet and join us for the 2024 Film By Invitation – an exclusive online premiere showcasing the most outstanding student films from across our Film By festivals!

This is your chance to experience the magic from anywhere! No matter where you are, you can watch, celebrate, and be inspired by the creativity and storytelling of students from all over NSW.

The festival goes live on Friday 7 March 2025 at 9 am. Watch the Film By Invitation 2024 films.

Striped popcorn bucket wrapped in film strip against a blue bokeh background.
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Learn more about festivals near you

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Upcoming applications

Group of students filming a scene with cameras and a boom microphone

Film By – Years 9 to 11 online school workshops (full day)

Online event
Years 9 to 11

Beginner workshop: Wed 21 May 2025, 9:30 am to 3 pm
Intermediate workshop: Thu 4 Sep 2025, 9:30 am to 3 pm

These workshops provide greater depth and knowledge of various elements of filmmaking with practical activities included for students.
Group of students filming a scene with cameras and a boom microphone

Film By – Years 5 to 8 online school workshops (full day)

Online event
Years 5 to 8

Beginner workshop: Thu 22 May 2025, 9:30 am to 3 pm
Intermediate workshop: Fri 5 Sep 2025, 9:30 am to 3 pm

These workshops provide greater depth and knowledge of various elements of filmmaking with practical activities included for students.
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Upcoming events

Group of students filming a scene with cameras and a boom microphone

Film By – Years 9 to 11 online school workshops (full day)

Online event
Years 9 to 11

Beginner workshop: Wed 21 May 2025, 9:30 am to 3 pm
Intermediate workshop: Thu 4 Sep 2025, 9:30 am to 3 pm

These workshops provide greater depth and knowledge of various elements of filmmaking with practical activities included for students.
Group of students filming a scene with cameras and a boom microphone

Film By – Years 5 to 8 online school workshops (full day)

Online event
Years 5 to 8

Beginner workshop: Thu 22 May 2025, 9:30 am to 3 pm
Intermediate workshop: Fri 5 Sep 2025, 9:30 am to 3 pm

These workshops provide greater depth and knowledge of various elements of filmmaking with practical activities included for students.
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Programs

NSW Department of Education 105 Phillip St Parramatta

Film By – d/Deaf and hard of hearing student filmmaking program

Program Film
Years 7 to 12 d/Deaf and/or hard of hearing public school students
A unique 3-day filmmaking program for students (Years 7 - 12) who identify as d/Deaf and/or hard of hearing to dive into the art of filmmaking.
Sydney

Film By the City

Local arts program Film
Kindergarten to Year 11
Film By the City is a festival for public school students. The inaugural festival was held at Event Cinemas in George Street on 25 October 2022.
Blue Mountains

Film By the Eucalypts

Local arts program Film
Kindergarten to Year 11
Film By the Eucalypts supports schools in the Blue Mountains area.
Southwest Sydney

Film By the Farm

Local arts program Film
Kindergarten to Year 11
Set in the heart of Southwest Sydney, with talent hailing from the vibrant communities of Camden, Campbelltown, and Wollondilly.
Westmead

Film By the Hospital

Local arts program Film
Kindergarten to Year 11
Film By the Hospital represents an innovative collaboration between the NSW Department of Education and Hospital Schools around the state.
Coffs Harbour

Film By the Jetty

Local arts program Film
Kindergarten to Year 11
Discover Film By the Jetty, a fresh addition to this year's Film By festival family.
Northern Rivers

Film By the Northern Rivers

Local arts program Film
Kindergarten to Year 11
This short film festival celebrates the fantastic, creative efforts of the combined students of the Northern Rivers.
The Cowpastures

Film By the Pasture

Local arts program Film
Kindergarten to Year 11
Film by the Pasture was established in 2021. The festival supports local schools in the Cowpasture District to submit films.
Sutherland Shire

Film By the Sea

Local arts program Film
Kindergarten to Year 11
Film By the Sea is now in its 13th year and still growing!
Cessnock

Film By the Vines

Local arts program Film
Kindergarten to Year 11
The Cessnock Community of Great Public Schools brings you Film By the Vines.
Online

Film By Online

Local arts program Film
Kindergarten to Year 11
Film By Online showcases the creativity and imagination of NSW public school students. Digitally delivered, the festival is available to everyone to enjoy and share.

Film By Invitation

Local arts program Film
Kindergarten to Year 8
Film By Invitation: A grand gathering of cinematic excellence, featuring the finest films handpicked from across the Film By festivals. This exclusive event, attended by distinguished leaders from the Department of Education, celebrates the pinnacle of filmmaking prowess showcased statewide.
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Film By 2024 is proudly supported by the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and CompNow,

All Arts Units programs are inclusive. If support is required to participate in Film By, please email karishma.mathur@det.nsw.edu.au so we can assist.