Make sure you read carefully through all of the information below. This will ensure your film is developed, created, filmed and submitted in the right format and with all of the right forms and additional material included.

Film submission protocols

All films should be in .mp4 format, 1920 x 1080 (landscape), 25fps and submitted via the Film By SpecFest entry form.

Sound levels in films need to maintain a consistent level. Films with sound levels that are distorted or disturbing to an audience cannot be accepted. This includes children screaming and poorly recorded speech that is difficult to understand. 

Selection of films

Films may be selected to reflect the greater participation of submitting schools. Judges’ selections will include variety and originality, among other considerations and all decisions are final. 

The following will be considered when viewing films:

• originality 
• cinematography 
• costume design 
• storyline 
• student performances.

Films may include action, comedy, drama, fantasy, mystery, romance, thriller, documentaries, mockumentaries, stop motion and claymation. 

Successful films: 

• are entertaining to a broad audience 
• are clear in their purpose, narrative and structure 
• use effective editing techniques 
• have a quality sound recording where levels are consistent, there is no feedback, distortion, or wind interference and all dialogue is clear and audible 
• are creative and collaborative. 

Content - G rating

The department works closely with the Office of the Children's eSafety Commissioner to ensure student online safety. As part of the Digital Citizenship program, students learn how to stay safe and healthy while using digital technologies, appropriate and inappropriate online behaviour, and how to contribute online positively. All submitted films must adhere to the G rating.

Information about classification is available at What do the ratings mean?

Authority to Film and Record and Schools Spectacular Deed of Consent

All films submitted for Film By SpecFest require two forms that need to be completed by every student participating. Any adults that may appear in the film as 'actors' or 'supporters' must also have a signed talent request form too.

These forms are:

• Film By 2026 - authority to film and record form (PDF 249.19 KB)
• Schools Spectacular Deed of Consent 2025 (PDF 653.06 KB)

Completed copies of both forms are to bekept on file at your school (not returned to The Arts Unit or SpecFest).

Film criteria

All films submitted should: 

• be 3.5 minutes in duration or less, including titles and credits
• be age appropriate and conform to a G rating
• be appropriate to the skill level of the participating students
• be original works created in accordance with copyright laws
• represent the department's values and beliefs
• be created by NSW Department of Education teachers and/or students. 
• have a script submitted
• include a poster to advertise the film that has been made
• include a single photograph showing all of the filmmakers and include a document indicating the name of each student in the photo.

Marking criteria

All films will be assessed by a panel and marked against a marking criteria against a variety of elements including:

• story development
• audience engagement
• technical aspects
• originality and authenticity.

Please see the rubric for further details of each success criteria.

Film By – film submission rubric (PDF 90.77 KB)

 

Copyright

Copyright pertains to all print and online media as well as music – this includes books and illustrations, online sources and digital images. If you haven’t created it, you probably don’t own the rights to it. 

Many online sites offer Royalty and Copyright free music and images. Please check the licence agreement carefully before using these sources. 

Many sites have royalty and copyright-free music but also offer licences to use their artistic creations for a nominal fee. It is always preferable to pay for a licence as this not only allows the use of the content but also provides compensation for the creators, allowing for the creation of more resources for everyone to use. See Smartcopying Creative Commons for a list of providers and further explanation of copyright. 

All sourced materials must be acknowledged in credits. Copyright owners will usually specify how they want their intellectual property acknowledged. If there are no set instructions, always:

• credit the creator
• provide the title of the work
• provide the URL where the work is hosted.

More information on How to attribute Creative Commons licensed materials.

If commercial material (images, books, music, etc.) has been used, then permission must be obtained. This also pertains to story books and illustrations.  

Remember: 

• Care should be taken to ensure the music and lyrics are appropriate to the work's concept/intent or theme. 
• Songs with inappropriate lyrics or intent will not be accepted.

For more info, watch the videos on copyright.

Submit your entry

Once you have completed your film, and ensured that all of the above aspects have been considered you can submit your film and additional materials using the Film By SpecFest entry form.

You should upload your film, script, poster and photo of filmmakers to a Google Drive folder (or similar) and then share the appropriate links in the entry form. Please ensure your sharing setting is 'anyone with the link' so that the panel can easily download and view your submission.

Once all films have been submitted, our selection panel will choose some films as finalists.

These finalists will be exhibited in the gallery at SpecFest 2025, held on the plaza outside Qudos Bank Arena on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 November.

Everyone visiting SpecFest will be invited to vote for their favourite film, and the winner of this award will be displayed on the big screen at SpecFest on the Saturday evening as part of our celebration of Film By SpecFest 2025.