Australia
Speaks
Australia’s Free Youth Media Program
Apply For Free
Calling For Creators Aged 15-24 With Stories
G’day
Australia Speaks is a national media development program designed to support young Aussies in sharing factual stories that matter to them, their communities, and the country.
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Australia Speaks is a national youth factual storytelling program. It invites young Aussies (aged 15-24) to create short factual media pieces about the issues shaping their lives and communities. It exists because young people have powerful perspectives - yet may often lack safe, credible pathways to develop their skills, be heard, and have their stories taken seriously.
The program is designed to help emerging creators turn curiosity and lived experience into factual storytelling with integrity, care, and impact. By supporting youth-led stories that inform, challenge, and connect Australians, Australia Speaks strengthens media literacy, civic voice, and the next generation of screen and media talent.
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Eligibility
To apply for Australia Speaks, you should meet the below:Age: You are aged 15-24 at the time of application.
Location: You are based in Australia (any state/territory).
Who can apply: Individuals or teams (e.g. friends, classmates)
Experience level: No prior experience is required - beginners are welcome, as are emerging creators building a portfolio.
What you can submit: A factual story idea (or early-stage concept) that explores an issue that matters to you, your community, or the country. Your idea might be:
personal but grounded in real events (lived experience)
community-focused (local stories, people, places, challenges)
public-interest (environment, resilience, education, health, culture, identity, civics)
investigative or explanatory (helping audiences understand an issue)
Story approach: We’re looking for stories that aim to be truthful, respectful, and responsible, and that can be told in a way that is safe for you and your participants.
Program Highlight
You don’t need fancy gear - strong ideas matter most. If selected, you’ll be supported to develop your story and build practical factual storytelling skills.
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If selected for Australia Speaks, you’ll receive:
Hands-on training and creative development - workshops and guided support to take your idea from concept to a compelling factual story (story structure, pitching, research, interviewing, ethics/consent, and editing fundamentals).
Gear and production support - access to equipment pathways and practical advice on how to shoot strong work with what you already have, plus connections to in-kind support opportunities through Festival networks.
A fast-track pathway into the Australia Youth Film Festival (AUYFF) - your project becomes part of the Australia Youth Film Festival ecosystem, with a dedicated program within the Festival and being showcased alongside the next generation of Australian storytellers.
Industry exposure and one-of-a-kind opportunities at the Festival’s flagship events:
Briefing Day - get inducted into the program, meet mentors, and learn how the Festival and industry pathways work.
Industry Day - connect with professionals and partners across screen, media, and the creator ecosystem through talks, panels, and networking.
Awards Ceremony - celebrate and showcase standout youth factual work on one of the Festival’s biggest stages, alongside partners and special guests.
Mentor feedback and checkpoints - structured reviews and guidance from the Festival team and industry contributors to strengthen your story and delivery.
Real-world visibility - opportunities for your work to be amplified through the Festival’s communications and partner networks, helping you build a portfolio that’s seen.
How It Works
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Step 1
Apply with an idea for a short factual story that explores a real issue facing your community or Australia today. We’re looking for fresh, purpose-led ideas with clear local or national significance - stories that help people understand something important, elevate unheard perspectives, or spark constructive change.
Your idea could explore topics like:
Major events and crises, through a youth lens (e.g. how global or national events are affecting young people and communities, and how people are responding)
Environment and climate impacts (e.g. disasters and recovery, biodiversity, oceans, wildlife protection, sustainability, local conservation efforts)
First Nations stories and perspectives (e.g. caring for Country, cultural knowledge, language, community leadership, truth-telling and lived experience - told respectfully and with appropriate permissions)
Issues facing young women and girls (e.g. safety, sport, education, online harm, health, equity, representation, or everyday pressures that aren’t being heard)
Community challenges and resilience (e.g. housing stress, cost of living, transport access, regional isolation, community services, local heroes)
Health, wellbeing, and identity (e.g. mental health supports, disability access, cultural identity, belonging, intergenerational stories)
Civic life and social change (e.g. volunteering, activism, local decision-making, youth participation, misinformation and media literacy)
Tip: You don’t need a finished film to apply - just a clear idea, why it matters, and who or what the story will focus on.
You can apply for free here.
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Step 2
If selected, you’ll be supported to turn your idea into a standout short factual story - with practical guidance, access to resources, and mentorship from leaders across media, enterprise, and content creation.
You’ll kick things off at our Briefing Day, where you’ll meet the Australia Speaks cohort, learn what makes a great factual story, and get clear on the expectations, timeline, and support available. From there, you’ll begin a 6-week supported development journey, designed to help you move from concept to a ready-to-produce story (or a polished final piece, depending on your pathway).
During the 6 weeks, you can expect:
Mentorship and feedback checkpoints to refine your story angle, structure, and purpose
Practical training in key factual storytelling skills (research, interviewing, ethics/consent, narrative structure, and edit planning)
Equipment access pathways (where available) and advice on how to produce high-quality work with the tools you already have
A clear production plan so you know exactly what you’re making, who you’ll film/interview, and how you’ll deliver it safely and responsibly
Support from the Festival and partner networks, helping you build confidence, capability, and a portfolio-ready outcome
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Step 3
Final works premiere as part of the Australia Youth Film Festival’s flagship events, where your story moves beyond your own screen and into a national platform. You’ll have the opportunity to share your work with peers, audiences, and industry partners - and to be recognised for both the story you chose and the way you told it.
Across the Festival’s main events, you can expect:
Festival premieres where your work is presented as part of the Festival’s programming
Professional feedback from industry guests and Festival judges, including practical notes you can take into your next project
National exposure through the Festival’s communications and partner networks, helping you build your profile and portfolio
Industry access at key Festival moments, including opportunities to attend and connect with partners at Briefing Day and Industry Day
Awards recognition, with eligible projects considered for the Australia Speaks Award and celebrated at the Festival’s Awards Ceremony - the Festival’s biggest stage
Whether your goal is to spark change in your community, build a career pathway, or simply tell a factual story you care about, this is where your work is shared, celebrated, and seen.
Experience Our Events
A nomination at the Australia Youth Film Festival is your invitation to our acclaimed events program. We partner with industry giants like the ABC to provide our finalists with invaluable exposure, hands-on learning, and networking opportunities. Watch the video above to see our most recent Industry Day tour in action—this could be you!
Your National Platform
We’re the premier stage for the next generation of creators to showcase their talent to a nationwide audience. Through our links with partners like the ABC, we help our nominees gain the industry exposure needed to launch sustainable careers in the professional industry. See firsthand how our Festival elevates young creators from across the country.
One-Of-A-Kind
Experience the highlights from one of our recent events - the 2025 New Zealand Youth Film Festival. Our one-of-a-kind events serve as a vital launchpad for young creators, offering them the chance to win prestigious awards from our industry partners. Whether you are a director, editor, or actor, this is where your journey toward professional recognition begins.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Australia Speaks program. If you’ve still got a question you’d like to ask, please contact us.
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Australia Speaks is open to Australia-based youth aged 15-24 with a passion for telling real stories - whether through film, journalism, or digital content. You don’t necessarily need prior experience, just a strong idea and the drive to make it happen.
You can apply for free here.
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Australia Speaks is free to apply for.
You can apply for free here.
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We’re seeking bold, purpose-led proposals that explore issues of national or community importance - such as identity, reconciliation, climate change, regional life, justice, or inclusion.
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Both solo applicants and small teams (led by a young person) are welcome. The main applicant must fall within the eligible age range.
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You’ll receive practical development support, training, feedback checkpoints, and access to equipment pathways and mentors/industry contributors (where available). You’ll also be connected to the Festival’s events and partner ecosystem.
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Australia Speaks runs across 6 weeks in the lead-up to the Australia Youth Film Festival’s main events. Key stages include proposal selection, a Briefing Day induction, mentorship and production, Industry Day, and the Award Ceremony.
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Your completed story will be showcased during the Festival’s main events and automatically compete for the Australia Speaks Award. Top works may also be featured by media partners.
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Not at all! We strongly encourage submissions from regional and remote areas.
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No. Strong ideas matter most. Many stories can be made with a phone and simple audio. We’ll also provide equipment support and practical production advice.
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No - you retain ownership of your work. The Festival may request permission to screen, promote, or showcase your project as part of the program and Festival (with your consent and clear terms).