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Bright Lights: Film Shorts Showcase 2025

Are you a filmmaker/animator aged between 11-19? Do you want your film on the big screen? Submit to Bright Lights: Film Shorts Showcase 2025!

Bright Lights is Arts Centre Washington’s annual youth arts festival. Last year, we hosted our first ever Bright Lights: Film Shorts Showcase – a showcase of films made by Washington Young Film Makers Collective, plus a selection shorts from Sunderland Shorts Film Festival.

This year, we want to build on that success and invite young filmmakers from across the region to submit and screen their films as part of the showcase. Whether you make films alone or with friends, in school or at a community group, this is an exciting opportunity for 11–19-year-olds to screen work alongside their peers.

Apply now

Important information

Please read the important information before submitting your film.

Submissions close: Friday 24th January, 4pm

Notification by email: Friday 31st January, 4pm

Bright Lights: Youth Arts Festival 2025 Film Showcase: Wednesday 26th February, 6pm-8pm

Who can enter?

Any filmmaker aged between 11-19 and who lives in the region can enter their work.

We welcome submissions from individuals or groups of friends, youth and community groups and schools and colleges.

What work can I submit?

Filmmakers can submit a maximum of 3 works.

Films submitted must be no longer than 10 minutes in duration.

During the course of the showcase you or your film may be photographed or recorded on video. On occasions this material may be used for promotional purposes by Arts Centre Washington or Sunderland Culture.

If you require support with your application, please contact:

daniel.appleby@sunderlandculture.org.uk

Name of Nominated Contact(Required)

First Last

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City ZIP / Postal Code

Phone

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Access Requirements

Film - First Choice

Title(Required)

Synopsis (max 50 words)(Required)

This will be used to accompany your film and give context to the public.

Is this a student/community project?(Required)

Yes

If this is a student/community project, which school/college/university/community or youth group did you attend during production?

What is the age of filmmakers involved in production?(Required)

Link to the film(Required)

Film - Second Choice

Title

Synopsis (max 50 words)

This will be used to accompany your work and give context to the public.

Is this a student project?

Yes

If this is a student project, which school/college/university did you attend during production?

What is the age of the filmmakers involved in production?

Link to the film

Film - Third Choice

Title

Synopsis (max 50 words)

This will be used to accompany your work and give context to the public.

Is this a student project?

Yes

If this is a student project, which school/college/university did you attend during production?

What is the age of the filmmakers involved in production?

Link to the film

Signature

Date

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Bright Lights Youth Arts Festival is supported by Sunderland City Council’s Washington Area Committee as part of our Creative You Project.

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