As our Student Film Festival enters its 10th year, it is great to reflect on the important skills for students it showcases and supports. Each year, as our student finalists arrive for the screening at ACMI, they share their excitement and some of the ideas and techniques they have used to create their film. But how does being a student film maker have a meaningful part in school studies, and more importantly, a potential role in study and work beyond school?
The Australian film industry is an interconnected ecosystem that depends on a wide range of skills and experience to create an array of feature films, music videos and advertising material. The multiple career opportunities for creative professions within this single industry include not only actors, directors, screenwriters, animators, wardrobe and makeup artists, but also stage and location managers, line producers, visual effects, music composers, lighting designers and postproduction editors.
In addition to this, it is not only the creative workforce that enables the film industry here in Australia to thrive by producing award-winning films for international audiences. To function, all aspects of business and enterprise such as communications, marketing, finance, human resources, business and technology are all imperative elements to the success of any film production.
Conversely, workplaces across all other industries outside film production are also demonstrating growing demands for film-making skills as a desirable prerequisite for a wide array of roles utilising video production for marketing and training purposes. With the rise of the digital training manual, which can deal with a multiplicity of functions within the workplace, and the exponential rise of content production for social media and streaming platforms, film and video production has become an everyone skill.
Census data gathered in 2021 to support the value of film making as a skill for both creative and non-creative industries record a total of 39,800 working across both sectors as their major form of employment.
Despite this seemingly strong representation, the Australian film industry continues to face acute workforce shortages in several key areas, including production management, line producing, location management, costume and wardrobe, editing, and post-production roles. Cinematography, art directors and assistant directors are also roles with significant shortages. Finance and accounting, marketing and communications are also in critical need across all dimensions. Business skills, management and leadership skills are all highlighted for expansion within creative industries.
With this range of workforce opportunities on offer, it is worth considering the possible links to curriculum and areas of study that may help equip students for entry into the film industry. At a quick glance, a full range of disciplinary interests and skills from the math and accounting skills required for the financial services, scientific and technology for SFX, English and literature studies for scriptwriting, music for screen composition and visual and media arts for cinematography and art design. Film making for students also provides opportunities for the development of transferrable skills, such as collaboration, time management and budgeting, which are all highly desirable across the world of work which awaits each student in their future.
All these factors make film making a highly beneficial project for young people which can provide meaningful pathways for their future.
Do you have a budding filmmaker in your classroom? Encourage them to submit their films to this year’s Student Film Festival! Entries are now open and close on Friday 11 September 2026.