Submissions for the 2020 filmmaking International Youth Silent Film Festival – IYSFF– NZ Nationals competition are now open.

The IYSFF is a global competition that challenges young filmmakers, aged 20 and under from the USA, Australia, The United Arab Emirates, and NZ to create a three-minute silent film set to one of 10 musical scores composed especially for the festival by award-winning organ composer Nathan Avakian.

For each submission, filmmakers must choose one of the ten pre-recorded musical themes upon which to base the film: Romance, Action, Horror, Slapstick, Mystery, Science Fiction, Western, Noir, Discovery, and this year's new soundtrack Reflection.

The top 15 silent New Zealand films will be screened at the red-carpet IYSFF NZ National Awards Final at Baycourt Community & Arts Centre on October 16, with each films' soundtrack performed live on Baycourt's Mighty 1926 Wurlitzer Theatre Organ.

On top of seven ‘Best Of' category awards to be won, this year's top three Kiwi filmmakers will take home cash prizes, plus their films will represent New Zealand at the annual IYSFF Global Awards scheduled to take place in Portland, USA, in June 2021.

Submissions for this year's competition close midnight, September 1. For more information or to enter, visit the IYSSF's global website at: www.makesilentfilm.com