FAQS
This is a rundown on how the Festival works, what to expect and what you will need to do to make sure your film is received and recognised as a valid entry.
The Simple Challenge
TO MAKE & SUBMIT A SHORT FILM (4MIN MAX) DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD THAT MATCHES THE FESTIVAL BRIEF REQUIREMENTS.
Films can be up to 4 mins, but better to aim for 3 mins. When it comes to film length, short and sharp beats long and flabby. The Audience and Judges will approve.
WHEN DOES STINKWATER25! TAKE PLACE?
The Festival will take place on the weekend of 3-5 October 2025. From 6PM on Friday 3rd October to Midnight Saturday Night on 4th, you will have 30 hours to make and submit your entry.
At 6PM on Friday 3rd the Festival Brief will be released at Souths Juniors. All teams are encouraged to join the organisers for this release at Souths Juniors, where you can also pick up a Festival Pack. In case you can’t make it, we will also email out the brief to all teams.
Finalist films will be screened from 6pm on Sunday, 5th October at the Wintle Room upstairs in Souths Juniors, followed by the Awards Ceremony. Team members, family and friends are all welcome. Teams will receive 3 free tickets to the Awards Night and additional tickets can be purchased for just $10 each.
WHO CAN ENTER?
Anyone can enter. We encourage teams of all types to be involved. If a team has members under 16 then it qualifies as a FAMILY team and could win the FAMILY Award as well as the BEST FILM. Teams of solely over 16s are ADULT teams. There is also no maximum team size. All teams are charged $50 for entry. Register here.
WHAT’S IN THE FESTIVAL BRIEF & HOW DOES IT WORK?
The Festival Brief will be a collection of places, things and phrases, provided to you at the very beginning of the challenge. You will need to include 5 of the Brief elements in your film entry to qualify. Locations in the Randwick area will be part of the Brief and need to appear in your films. The Brief and any other requirements will be revealed and distributed on Friday Evening.
The purpose of the Brief is to make sure your film is a Festival Challenge Entry and to stop people entering previously made films (Which would be cheating!). Teams are encouraged to be creative in how the objects/places/phrases are included BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE STORY DEFINING. Just make sure the judges can see them clearly in your submitted films.
WHEN CAN WE START MAKING OUR FILM?
You can start right now by thinking about and discussing film story ideas, then talking with your mates and family members to see who’s up for joining you in the challenge! In terms of filming, while the guts of your film can’t be filmed before the Brief is released, there might be certain incidental/environmental/generic shots you know you’ll need for your film idea (e.g. a great sped-up sunset) which could be filmed before the Festival starts.
However the footage cannot be clearly recognisable as being filmed at another time and place (you know like Mardi Gras footage or some sports event).
HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO FILM?
The teams have 30 hours to film, edit and upload their films, starting at 6PM on Friday evening, with the DROPDEAD cut off time of Midnight Saturday.
We recommend you aim to complete all filming by 3PM Saturday evening, eat something, then begin editing at 5PM, giving yourself until 11pm to have the film finished and rendering. Obviously that gives you a bit of overrun time.
MANAGE YOUR TIME VERY CAREFULLY!
HOW DO WE SUBMIT OUR ENTRY?
The submission form will be made available to all teams at the beginning of the Festival on 3rd October. A link will be sent out to all registered teams along with the Brief.
In order to submit your entry, you will need to upload your finished film entry to YouTube as unlisted or public (we must be able to access it), in at least an HD format. We recommend a 25 or 30 framerate and 1080P resolution.
Once you have uploaded the film to YouTube, you must include the film URL, the Team name, information about the Brief elements included and final information about cast and crew. You should receive an automatic acknowledgement email when you submit. You’re welcome to also include any other funny memories or overcome challenges of the weekend in the submission. We like that kind of stuff!
REMEMBER: Films must be copyright free. When you upload to YouTube it will scan your film for copyright material, particularly MUSIC. Use the resources on the SUPPORT page to create your own!
DOES MY FILM HAVE TO BE IN ENGLISH?
No, your film can be in any language you like, provided there are English subtitles, assuming you want the judges to understand the dialogue. If not, then no subtitles! The film can be SILENT or with only music/sfx. Just remember to create your own music and not risk a COPYRIGHT ISSUE when you upload.
SO DO COPYRIGHT ISSUES MATTER?
YES. Your film must pass the copyright checks on YouTube during the upload. Any copyright material will be flagged when your film is uploaded and checked by YouTube and if something is flagged, we recommend you find a replacement and re-upload. If you still enter the film, it cannot be in the running for a prize. There’s a LOT of copyright free and even custom AI generated music solutions available online these days. We recommend you use them! See our SUPPORT page.
Do actors need to be registered? Do they count towards team size?
To register a team, only the Team Leader’s name is needed. When you submit your film, we recommend including the names of all involved so they can all be acknowledged during the awards, should you win one! Everyone in front of and behind the camera should be listed.
You can also find an actor(s) from us over the weekend if you need one for any key scene shots (Cut to the Oval Office – “Mr President, the missiles have been launched!”). More info on that subject will be shared with registered teams. If you’re interested in offering your time AS AN ACTOR in Stinkwater, fill this form! There’s a prize for the actor who appears in the most films!
Is there an age restriction to take part in the challenge?
NOT REALLY. Anyone aged 16 or over can register a team.
Under 16s are welcome to participate as part of FAMILY teams but these teams do require at least 1 adult for the registration and management of the team. And to pay entry!
What is the cutoff date for team entries?
We accept registrations up to 5pm on Friday 3rd October. HOWEVER! Don’t wait that long, spaces will be limited. 🙂
CAN I SHOW EXPLICIT CONTENT IN MY FILM?
We’d rather you didnt, if it’s too raunchy it will be disqualified. It should be kept in mind that the screening audience will likely include children.
As a guide, what’s acceptable on Coogee Beach on a hot sunny day is acceptable to us. We’re not prudes but this festival is about ideas, creativity and fun, not sexy flesh and nudity. Nothing wrong with that, just save the steamy stuff for another festival.
What is the maximum amount of time that my film can run for?
The maximum time your film can go for is 4 minutes. This includes titles/credits. There is no minimum run-time. Aim for 3 minutes!
What happens if my film runs over maximum run-time?
Then you haven’t finished the edit! Get it under 4 minutes.
QUESTION NOT HERE?
Shoot us an email at contact@stinkwater.com.au
