Young Filmmakers Contest

 
Calling all up-and-coming filmmakers and Austen fans—JASNA's 10th Annual Young Filmmakers Contest is open!

Are you an aspiring Chloé Zhao or Denis Villeneuve? A young movie maker who is also an Austen fan? We invite all amateur filmmakers worldwide up to the age of 30 to enter an original short film of 5 minutes or less in JASNA's 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 the contest if free to enter. All you need is your imagination and a camera! 

First-, second-, and third-place winners receive cash awards and one year of JASNA membership. In addition, 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, Andrew Davies, Robin Swicord, Lindsay Doran, Gurinder Chadha, Ken Turan, Vanessa Riley, Susannah Harker, and Aydrea Walden.

Past Winners

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.  

Watch past winning films

Young Filmmakers Contest Overview and Highlights

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2026 Contest

This is our 10th year celebrating filmmakers under 30 who illuminate Jane Austen through film, and we'd love for you to be part of it! Enter the 2026 Young Filmmakers Contest and help make this anniversary year the most creative yet.

We welcome intriguing and well-crafted films of 5 minutes or less on either of the following themes:

• JASNA's 2026 Annual General Meeting: "Jane Austen’s Bath Novels: Northanger Abbey and Persuasion"
• Jane Austen and/or her world, novels, juvenilia, letters, characters, themes, or adaptations.

The submission deadline for the 2026 contest is June 29. To get a head start, sign up now to receive the contest entry form and guidelines, as well as bi-weekly email updates with contest news, tips, and inspiration. There's no obligation to submit a film, and you can unsubscribe from the contest email list at any time.  

 
We love to see how new generations of Austen fans interpret her works and her life. Show us how Jane Austen inspires you!

Contest Awards

Three winners are selected each year and receive the following recognition:

• Cash awards of $600 for first place, $300 for second place, and $200 for third place
• Feedback on their films from the judges
• One year of membership in the Jane Austen Society of North America
• Winning films will be premiered for attendees at JASNA's Annual General Meeting and will be available for viewing by a global audience on this website and on JASNA's YouTube channel.

In addition, attendees at the awards gala cast their votes to determine the winner of the "People's Choice" award.

How to Enter

• Register and download the Contest Entry Form.
• Read the detailed Contest Rules/Submission Guidelines.
• Submit the signed entry form, along with your completed film and any required waivers or permissions, to the JASNA 2026 Young Filmmakers Contest at youngfilm@jasna.org via a service capable of sending large files, such as wetransfer.com. Or upload to Dropbox, Box, or Google Drive and email the link to youngfilm@jasna.org.
  
  

Questions?

Please email the Young Filmmakers Contest at youngfilm@jasna.org.

“I shall always look back on our theatricals with exquisite pleasure."

 MANSFIELD PARK