Young people are being encouraged to have their say about nature and the environment by entering the Cicada Film Festival, as part of World Wildlife day.
The short film competition is a platform for youth across south east Queensland to voice environmental concerns and offer their suggestions and solutions. Entries of up to four minutes can be entered from classes, schools, individuals and groups. Entries close on May 7 with a screening and presentation night on June 7 from 6pm to 9pm.
The festival offers prizes of more than $4000.
Among the judging panel are winners of last year's festival, Declan Field and Pierce Logan who took out the general open category and Shaylea Bradford who won the oceans category.
Declan, 13, of Wellington Point said he and Pierce were joined by Alyssa Ryan in creating a video on the wetlands in the Redlands.
"We discovered that a lot of species were dying out due to deforestation. It made us realise how brittle the environment is and how small things can create a huge ripple effect," he said.
Declan said he thought it was "quite cool" to be invited onto the judging committee,
"It makes sense to have youth judge as well. And we get to find out more about the environment," he said.
Project officer Debra Henry said the festival, formerly Cicada awards was a 2011 initiative of the Wildlife Queensland Bayside branch.
"It was conceived and grown in the Redlands and something we should all be proud of," she said.
The festival alligns with World Environment day on June 5 and World Ocean day on June 8.
Ms Henry said the festival offered an opportunity for young people to learn about environmental issues, develop writing, filming, editing and acting skills and grow confidence.
"The big plus though is for the wildlife which has a greater chance of surviving in an informed and articulate community," she said.
More on bayside@wildlife.org.au, cicadafilmfestival.com.au
