The Waimakariri Young Environmental Film Makers (WYEFM) competition is a community-led initiative being organised by a small group of Waimakariri women with support from Rangiora Town Hall Cinemas, Waimakariri District Council greenspace team, the Waimakariri Biodiversity Trust, Eco Educate, and Enviroschools.
The competition is open to Waimakariri primary school pupils, or home-schooled pupils, aged 10-13.
It was inspired by two short environmental films, Plastic Straw Free Rangiora, which was made in 2018 by North Loburn School pupils, and Vote the Wrybill for Bird Of The Year, made last year by Pegasus Bay School pupils.
The topic chosen for the competition is: “What is one thing anyone can do to help the environment in Waimakariri?”
Although it is a wide brief, the competition organisers are hoping the young film-makers will consider taking the opportunity to highlight the importance of individual actions, such as planting trees, looking after wetlands and reducing plastic use, to protect the planet.
"We want to see films that have the potential to achieve positive change for the environment and we are really looking forward to seeing what Waimakariri’s young film-makers can deliver for us in this regard," said competition spokesperson Judith Hughey.
The finalists will be chosen by a panel of four judges. The winner will be announced at an awards night at the Rangiora Town Hall Cinemas on September 18, where all of the finalists' films will be screened.
The finalist films will also be entered in the Chicago-based 2027 One Earth Young Film Makers Contest, which will give them a highly regarded international viewing platform and the opportunity to win a competition that attracts young film-makers from around the world.
The winner of WYEFM will also receive a cash prize, plus environmentally-themed books and complimentary tickets to the Waimakariri Environmental Film Festival (WEFF) at the Rangiora Town Hall Cinemas later this year.
There will also be prizes for the second and third-placed film-makers and the other finalists. All film-makers who enter the competition will go in the draw to win two complimentary tickets to WEFF.
Entries for the WYEFM open on June 20 and close on September 1. Entry details will be announced this week.
Focus for Future - Environmental Short Film Competition
Meanwhile, Lincoln Envirotown is also looking for entries to the Focus for Future - Environmental Short Film Competition.
"We are looking for creative storytellers, budding filmmakers, and environmental advocates to capture the beauty of our planet or highlight an issue that needs urgent attention," a Lincoln Envirotown spokesperson said.
"Whether you want to highlight local conservation, explore climate solutions, or showcase the beauty of our backyard, we want to see it!"
Entries in the Focus for Future - Environmental Short Film Competition must be under 5min long. The deadline for entries is September 1, 5pm. An awards ceremony and film screening will be held on September 17 at Te Ara Ātea on Tennyson St, Rolleston.
