Got a story to tell? A weird idea living in your head? A camera - maybe on your phone? And twenty bucks to spare?
Welcome to the Twenty Buck Film Festival, a film challenge for young creatives aged 12 to 25 living in the Warrnambool and Moyne municipalities. The idea is simple: make a short film with a maximum budget of just $20. And the film must contain 20 bucks somewhere somehow!
Your film can be any genre, any style, and as creative as you want it to be. Comedy, documentary, stop motion, drama, experimental, animation, mockumentary, music video. If you can imagine it, you can make it.
Films must be created during September and October 2026 and submitted by 1 November 2026. They need to be between 60 seconds and 5 minutes long, and all work must be your own. No AI tools can be used at any stage of the process, including brainstorming, storyboarding, script development, image creation, editing, or production.
The $20 budget is there to encourage creativity, not spending. Use what you already have, borrow props, recruit your friends, get inventive, and see what you can make with limited resources.
All films must be suitable for a PG audience. That means no nudity, violence, excessive swearing, smoking, vaping, drug use, or alcohol content.
Every film that meets the festival criteria will be screened as part of the Twenty Buck Film Festival. Plus, there are cash prizes of $500 for the winner in each age category:
- 12 to 15 years
- 16 to 19 years
- 20 to 25 years
Winning films will also be showcased in the Moyne Virtual Gallery.
Whether you've made dozens of films or you're giving it a go for the first time, this festival is about creativity, storytelling, and proving that great ideas don't need a big budget.
So grab your camera, round up your crew, and start making something unforgettable for twenty bucks.
What’s Up for Grabs
Have your film screened at the Twenty Buck Film Festival.
A chance to win $500 in your age category:
- 12 to 15 years
- 16 to 19 years
- 20 to 25 years
Winning films to be featured in the Moyne Virtual Gallery.
The opportunity to create something amazing with just $20 and your imagination.
Festival Timeline
- Film creation period opens: 10th September 2026
- Submission form opens: 10 October 2026
- Submission deadline: 11:59pm, 1 November 2026
- Festival screening and awards event: Friday 13th November, Reardon Theatre, Port Fairy - Time and details still to be announced
- Winners announced: Friday 13th November
Free Filmmaker workshops
- Scripting & Storyboarding; Saturday 26th September, 1pm to 4pm – Port Fairy
- Filming; Sunday 27th September, 1pm to 4pm - Port Fairy
- Editing; Tuesday 29th September, 1pm to 4pm @ One Day Studios
- Post Production & Sound; Thursday 1st October, 1pm to 4pm @ One Day Studios
Spaces are limited and bookings are essential, Book Here through One Day Studios - WORKSHOPS | One Day Studios
You do not have to attend a workshop to submit a film to the festival.
Before you get creating, check your film will fit the rules
- Created by a young person aged 12 to 25 years.
- Made by someone who lives in the Warrnambool or Moyne municipality.
- Will be filmed and produced during September and October 2026.
- Film contains 20 bucks, as creatively or subtly as you like!
- Will be ready to be submitted by 1 November 2026.
- Is between 60 seconds and 5 minutes long.
- Has a total production budget of no more than $20.
- Uses mainly items, locations, costumes, props, and equipment that you already own, can borrow, or can source within the $20 budget.
- Is entirely your own original work.
- Does not use AI at any stage of creation, including idea generation, brainstorming, storyboarding, scriptwriting, image creation, editing, visual effects, sound production, or any other part of the filmmaking process.
- Is suitable for a PG audience.
- Does not contain nudity.
- Does not contain violence.
- Does not contain excessive or gratuitous swearing.
- Does not include smoking or vaping.
- Does not include drug or alcohol use.
- Has been exported and saved in a format ready for submission.
- Shows off your creativity, storytelling, and filmmaking skills.
How Your Film Will Be Judged
Every film submitted to the Twenty Buck Film Festival will be reviewed by our judging panel, made up of young filmmakers, creatives, and Warrnambool and Moyne Shire youth workers.
We're looking for big ideas, creative storytelling, and smart filmmaking, not big budgets. Your film will be assessed across two key areas:
Artistic Merit (60%)
- Storytelling
- Originality and creativity
- Audience engagement and entertainment value
Technical Merit (40%)
- Filming and cinematography
- Sound and editing
- Overall production quality
Remember, this is about making the most of what you've got. A great story, clever ideas, and creative problem-solving will always stand out.
FAQ
Who Can Enter?
- Young people aged 12 to 25 years
- Must live in the Warrnambool or Moyne municipalities
- Enter as an individual or as part of a team
- If entering as a team, all team members must meet the eligibility requirements and act as the primary contact
What can I make?
- Any film genre is welcome
- Documentary
- Drama
- Comedy
- Animation
- Experimental film
- Music video
- Stop motion
- Mockumentary
- Anything else you can dream up
As long as it meets the festival guidelines, we're excited to see it.
What are the Budget Rules?
The maximum production budget is $20.
That doesn't mean your film has to cost $20. It could cost nothing at all.
Use what you already have access to:
- Phones or cameras you own
- Borrowed equipment
- Existing locations
- Homemade costumes and props
- Friends and family as cast and crew
The challenge is to be creative, not expensive
AI-Free Films
The Twenty Buck Film Festival celebrates human creativity.
No AI-generated content can be used at any stage of production, including:
- Brainstorming
- Storyboarding
- Script writing
- Image generation
- Visual effects
- Voice generation
- Music generation
- Editing assistance
Every submission must be created entirely by people.
Film Content Guidelines
All films must be suitable for a PG audience.
Films must not include:
- Nudity
- Violence
- Smoking or vaping
- Drug use
- Alcohol use
- Excessive or gratuitous swearing
If you're unsure whether your content is appropriate, contact the festival team before submitting
Prizes
$500 First Prize in each age category
- 12 to 15 years
- 16 to 19 years
- 20 to 25 years
Plus:
- All eligible films will be screened at the festival.
- Winning films will be featured in the Moyne Virtual Gallery.
Do I need professional equipment?
Not at all. A phone, tablet, camera, or anything else you already have access to is perfectly fine. The festival is about creativity and storytelling, not expensive gear.
Can I enter as a team?
Yes. You can work on your film with friends, family members, or classmates. Just nominate one person as the main contact for the submission, and make sure to include all members details and make sure everyone fits the age and location criteria
Can family members help?
Yes. Family members can support you with acting, filming, costumes, locations, props, or other practical help. The creative work and decision-making must be led and carried out by the young person or young people entering the festival. The $20 budget applies to the overall film, so other people can not buy things to contribute to your film.
Can I submit more than 1 film?
1 submission per person or team.
What file format should I upload?
Films should be submitted as an MP4 file wherever possible. Full submission requirements will be provided when the submission form opens.
When does the submission form open and close?
The submission form opens on 10 October 2026 and closes at 11:59pm on 1 November 2026.
How do I submit my film?
When the submission form opens on 10 October 2026, you'll be able to submit your film in a way that works best for you.
Submissions can be made via:
- USB
- DVD
- WeTransfer
- AirDrop
Full submission instructions, including where and how to send your film, will be provided when the submission form becomes available.
Just make sure your film is submitted by 11:59pm on 1 November 2026.
What happens after I submit?
Your film will be reviewed to make sure it meets the festival guidelines. Eligible films will then be included in the Twenty Buck Film Festival screening and considered for prizes in their age category.
Who owns the copyright to my film?
You do. By entering the festival, you give permission for your film to be screened as part of the festival and, if selected as a winner, featured in the Moyne Virtual Gallery.
Do I need permission to use music?
Music licensing can be complicated but as your film will be part of a Moyne Shire and Warrnambool City Council program and showcased in council owned property, Council music licensing will cover the permission to screen music in your film AT THE SHOWASE ONLY. If you want to upload or show your film elsewhere, you will not have the correct music license unless you have created the music yourself or purchased a license.
What if I am under 18?
If you're under 18, a parent or guardian will need to provide consent as part of the submission process. Details about how to do this will be included in the submission form when it opens.
By providing consent, a parent or guardian confirms that they:
- Give permission for the young person to participate in the Twenty Buck Film Festival.
- Understand that the film may be screened publicly as part of the festival if it meets the entry criteria.
- Understand that winning films may be featured in the Moyne Virtual Gallery.
- Confirm that the submitted work is the entrant's original creation and complies with the festival guidelines.
Parent or guardian consent must be received before an entry can be considered eligible for judging.
What if my film doesn’t win?
Every eligible film will still be screened at the festival, giving you the chance to share your work with an audience and celebrate what you've created alongside other local young filmmakers.
Film Submission
Submissions close: 11:59pm, 1 November 2026
Please complete all sections of this form and ensure your film meets the festival guidelines before submitting.