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Bright Lights: Film Shorts Showcase 2026

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 2026!

Last year, we hosted the second edition of Bright Lights: Film Shorts Showcase – a showcase of the region’s best young filmmaking talent. The screening included films by Washington Young Film Makers Collective, Young Women’s Film Academy, Beacon Films and Mortal Fools, as well as some individual filmmakers.

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: Thursday 22nd January, 5pm

Notification by email: Monday 26th January, 5pm

Bright Lights: Youth Arts Festival 2026 Film Showcase: Wednesday 25th 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.

Films should be age-appropriate and suitable for younger viewers. Avoid explicit language, violence, or mature themes. Steer clear of discriminatory, offensive, or harmful material.

All films should be equivalent of a PG rated or below. For guidance, visit: BBFC

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

About You

Name of Nominated Contact(Required)

First Last

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City Post Code

Phone

Email(Required)

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?

Age/s of filmmaker/s(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?

Age/s of filmmaker/s

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?

Age/s of filmmaker/s

Link to the film

Photographic and Film Consent

Please confirm your consent for us to store your answers on this form(Required)

I consent for my data to be collected by Sunderland Culture Ltd and their data processing partners

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This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Bright Lights Youth Arts Festival is part of Culture Start, an exciting programme designed to help children and young people in Sunderland take part in free creative and cultural events.

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