14 April 2009 - Is the next Peter Jackson a film-crazy teen, working from his parent's garage in Wellington, Invercargill or New Plymouth? Are there school-age successors to Jane Campion, Toa Fraser or Niki Caro, directing with borrowed cameras somewhere in suburban Auckland?

Will Christchurch produce another quietly menacing screen presence comparable to the young Sam Neill? Do we have more superb teenage actors ready to walk in the shoes of Emily Barclay or Keisha Castle-Hughes?

Some of the answers to these questions could emerge from Youthtown's Short Film Challenge, an annual contest aimed at identifying and encouraging the next wave of New Zealand film-making talent.

Now in its sixth year, the Short Film Challenge is open to anyone between the ages of 13 and 18. Originally an Auckland-only competition, it has gradually evolved into a nationwide contest, with some past winners going on to study filmmaking at tertiary level, with a view to careers in the industry.

"This year, more than ever, we're expecting entries from one end of New Zealand to the other. We've already had enthusiastic enquiries from most of the major urban centres and from smaller communities right across the country," says the contest's coordinator, Dionne Afutoto.

"All the signs are that we're going to get a bumper crop of films, demonstrating, yet again, that filmmaking's become one of those things that young New Zealanders love doing and are pretty good at, irrespective of whether they want to make careers in the industry or just want to enjoy themselves with cameras, mikes and other equipment. "If you have passion and imagination and would like to channel them into filmmaking, please get in touch with me on 09 379 5430 or by email at dionne@youthtown.org.nz and I will send you an application form and conditions of entry. Alternatively, you can download the forms straight from our website: www.youthtown.org.nz ," she says.

Short Film Challenge entries should reach Youthtown by Friday 24th July. They are to be shown at a Hollywood-style premier night, scheduled for Auckland's Academy Cinema on Wednesday 19th August, when the winners will be announced and trophies presented for 'Best Film', 'Best Director', 'Best Script', 'Best Cinematography' and 'Best Editing'.

Other awards will be for best use of a compulsory line of dialogue and of a compulsory prop, as well as for the best development of a specific film genre. Entries are limited to films of between four and ten minutes length and will be judged by a panel from within New Zealand's film industry.

The winners of the Best Film award, are also to receive $2,000 worth of vouchers, generously provided by Harvey Norman Commercial, Wairau Park, whist the runners-up, will receive $500 in vouchers. Free entry to a Television Production Course, run by the respected Southseas Film, Television and Animation School, is on offer to this year's Best Director.