Following the success of the inaugural festival last year, new partnerships with local Councils have seen REC Ya Shorts expand in 2016 to now cover six local government areas in regional NSW: Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kyogle, Nambucca Valley, Bellingen Shire, and Kempsey Shire. The festival is quickly becoming a vehicle to provide new opportunities for young people, capturing their stories and talents through filmmaking.

“We are delighted to be expanding REC Ya Shorts in 2016, helping young people realise their passion for filmmaking and making strides to de-stigmatise mental health support for young people in the regions,” explains Kate Howat, Artistic Director of Screenwave, “we are delighted to see it grow”.

Open to young people aged 12-25, REC Ya Shorts Youth Film Festival includes over 40 free “how to make a film” workshops at schools and education campuses across Northern NSW as well as a regional screening tour of the finalists’ films, providing young filmmakers the opportunity to see their short films up on the big screen with their friends, families, and peers.

The festival is free to enter and the film competition rules are for all films to be a maximum of 6 minutes in duration, to involve the positive message of "Adventure", and to feature this year's signature item – “Key”. Entrants don’t have to have made a short film before or have an expensive camera to enter; storytelling, originality and creativity will be the most highly regarded. Prizes are also available for these categories, as well as Best Documentary and Best Music Video.

Submissions to REC Ya Shorts are now open and close Friday, September 9. For more information on the festival and how to enter, visit www.recyashorts.com.au or Facebook at “REC Ya Shorts Youth Film Festival”.