Cinesnaps Schools Program

The Cinesnaps Schools Program provides WA students with opportunities to develop an appreciation of the filmmaking process, as well as the role film and screen content, as a digital medium, plays in our culture.

This trailblazing pillar of the Festival allows for the growth of the future audiences of Australian film, as well as encouraging the next generation of aspiring young industry professionals. This can only be achieved by facilitating opportunities for engagement and interaction with Australian film industry professionals.

The program aims to enhance the skills of regional young people by targeting key aspects of the Australian curriculum, with the General Capabilities and Cross Curriculum Priorities at the forefront of all programming decisions. These can expand long-term educational outcomes for regional students as the program creates activities relevant to their studies.

Whats included?

Each year CinefestOZ offers schools an exciting selection of film-related sessions and Q&As tailored specifically to an age and area of schools’ state and/or national curriculum. Access to industry professionals also provides insight into different career pathways and inspiration for future jobs. These incursions are run by various film guests visiting the festival and aim to making a significant impact on the participant’s creative process. 

These film related sessions can include:

  • Filmmaking
  • Virtual Reality and Immersive Tehcnology
  • Costume and Stage Production 
  • Scriptwriting 
  • Short Film or Music Video Production 
  • Casting & Acting

On occasion, pre or post-study worksheets for incursion workshops may be provided to teachers. Some may require preparation activities prior to the Incursion in order to maximise the benefits of the experience.

Schools have the opportunity to engage in various hand-on filmmaking activities through specially curated activity zones, known as our Cinesnaps Screen Xplore Pods! This excursion experience gives Primary and Secondary students access to emerging technology and insight into creative departments. Activities in previous years have included:

  1. Virtual Reality experiences.
  2. Sound Foley challenges.
  3. Costuming & Set Design activities.
  4. Film technology workshops such as greenscreen, animation, and gaming.
  5. Stunt performance tutorials.

This dynamic experience allows students to kinesthetically explore key elements of the film and television industry, sparking creativity, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of media production! 

As part of the CinefestOZ Film Festival, our School Screenings program brings quality Australian, French, and Australian co-production films to school-aged audiences. Where possible, screenings include an introduction by a contributing filmmaker and/or cast member, followed by a Q&A session. This offers students a unique opportunity to engage directly with industry professionals and deepen their understanding of the film(s) they are watching.

CinefestOZ partners with schools across the South West and Great Southern regions to ensure all films selected are age-appropriate and align with the Australian Classifications Act. 

Our annual Cinesnaps Short Film Competition encourages young, aspiring regional filmmakers, Youtubers and vloggers to create and showcase original short films of 3-5 minutes.

The competition aims to showcase the talents of this next generation of filmmakers. Submissions are shortlisted to screen at a glamorous, youth-focused, Grand Finale event during CinefestOZ Festival week in September. 

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For Professional Development workshops and opportunities please contact the CinefestOZ Community & Education Engagement Manager. 

E: [email protected]

Proudly engaging over 65,000 students since its inception in 2011, Cinesnaps engages students and education professionals during Festival Week – and beyond!

Cinesnaps Short Film Competition

Our annual Cinesnaps Short Film Competition encourages young, aspiring regional filmmakers, Youtubers and vloggers to create and showcase original short films of 3-5 minutes. Now open to two age categories, all secondary students in the South West, Great Southern, and The Kimberley regions are invited to enter! 

The competition aims to showcase the talents of this next generation of filmmakers. Submissions are shortlisted to screen at a glamorous, youth-focused, Grand Finale event during CinefestOZ Festival week in September. Finalists receive feedback from a panel of high-profile, Australian film industry professionals before the winner and runner-up teams are announced. 

The 2025 competition launches in October 2025, and closes 25 June 2026. The $1000 cash prize for years 10-12 will again be up for grabs! Download the 2026 Entry Packs (below) and start filming today! 

This years theme is: Reflect 

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We are currently out of season for the Cinesnaps Short Film Competition. Come back soon for more details! 

We are currently out of season for the Cinesnaps Short Film Competition. Come back soon for more details! 

Don’t forget to get tickets for the Grand Finale event, screening all the finalists. Tickets go on sale when the program is announced in mid July.