WHAT ARE THE COSCARS?

The COscars (Castlemaine Oscars) is a youth film festival featuring a short film competition that aims to showcase the talents of young people aged 10-20 years.

Selected entries will be presented to the public at the COscars Youth Film Festival in November 2025 at the Theatre Royal in Castlemaine.

Prizes will be given to the winning film in each category:

1. Snapshot:

• 10-14 years: $50 cash
• 15-20 years: $50 cash

2.  Short:

• 10-14 years: $100 cash
• 15-20 years: $100 cash

3.  Short Film:

• 15-20 years: $150 cash

JUDGING CRITERIA 

Snapshot and Short categories:

Creativity, originality and story-telling will be more highly considered in judging than production quality. You don’t need a flashy camera to make a great short film. You can use any type of camera – mobile phone, tablet etc.

Short Film:

Judges will consider production quality, creativity, originality and story-telling.

Your film can be any genre or theme and you can use any kind of filmmaking technique (including animation, stop motion or live action).

It is recommended that you film in landscape mode (16:9 aspect ratio) with your device horizontal, not vertical.

How do I enter?

Download the Competition Entry Form and Guidelines below. Deadline for entries is midnight Sunday 2nd November 2025.

For more information, contact Shannon Lacy on 5471 1700 or youth@mountalexander.vic.gov.au