Calling all up-and-coming filmmakers and Austen fans!
Are you an aspiring Ava DuVernay or Steven Spielberg? A young movie maker who is also an Austen fan? We invite all amateur filmmakers up to the age of 30 to enter an original short film of 5 minutes or less in our annual Young Filmmakers Contest—a creative competition designed to encourage the study, interpretation, and appreciation of Jane Austen among new generations.
Membership in JASNA is not required to participate, and it's free to enter. All you need is your imagination and a smartphone!
First-, second-, and third-place winners receive cash awards and one year of JASNA membership. Finalists' entries are judged by some of the preeminent names in contemporary film, TV and literature, and a summary of their comments is one of the most valuable features of the contest. Past judges have included Amy Heckerling, Robin Swicord, Gurinder Chadha, Adrian Lukis, Ken Turan, Crystal Clarke, Janet Lin, Ashley Clements, and Aydrea Walden.
Previous entries have included animated films, documentaries, modernizations, and tributes to Austen’s genius. They’ve ranged from heart-tugging stories to hilarious adventures, and everything in between.
Janeites everywhere will celebrate Austen's 250th birthday in 2025—a perfect time to show how she inspires you with an original film. Now in its ninth year, the JASNA Young Filmmakers Contest welcomes intriguing and well-crafted entries based on either of the following themes:
New for 2025: We now welcome entries from amateur filmmakers worldwide! However, the dialog in your film must be in English.
The submission deadline for the 2025 contest is June 20. To get a head start, sign up now to receive the contest entry form and guidelines, as well as bi-weekly emails with contest news and lots of ideas and inspiration. There's no obligation to submit a film, and you can unsubscribe from the emails at any time.
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We love to see how new generations of Austen fans interpret her works and her life. Show us how Jane Austen inspires you!
Three winners are selected each year and receive the following recognition:
Please email the Young Filmmakers Contest at youngfilm@jasna.org.
Learn about Young Filmmakers Contest rules and requirements.
Watch the winning submissions from past Young Filmmakers Contests.