Submissions are open for the 2025 Bell Shakespeare Shorts Festival!
Calling all young filmmakers, performers and storytellers - welcome to the 2025 Bell Shakespeare Shorts Festival where we retell Shakespeare on screen.
The Festival is open to young people from primary and secondary schools across Australia, as well as household entrants who may want to work on a film individually.
Participating schools and households will have access to a suite of video resources on filmmaking and performing Shakespeare, worksheet resources for students and teachers, as well as a teacher workshop.
By submitting films, students have the chance to win great prizes for themselves and their school, and share their films with a national audience!
Films must be about, or inspired by, Shakespeare and follow these guidelines:
- Films must be no more than 5 minutes in duration (secondary schools) and no more than 3 minutes (primary schools);
- Films can be shot on a smartphone, tablet or camera;
- Films must use Shakespeare’s original text, or be inspired by Shakespeare’s language, plays or characters in some way; and
- Films must reflect your school and/or your unique community in some way.
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
DATES
Registration opens February 2025
Submissions open 28 April 2025
Submissions close 26 September 2025
Shortlist announced October 2025
Winners announced December 2025
RESOURCES
To assist with the filmmaking process from inspiration to creation, take a look at our video and worksheet resources, including teacher notes.
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