Are you a young filmmaker (aged 21 or under) or perhaps you work for an organisation working with young creatives? Have you made a short film (under 5mins) this year already, or are you thinking of picking up a camera for the first time this summer?

Electric December, Watershed's annual short film competition, is now open for entries. Returning for its fifteenth edition, Electric December helps to add a little more sparkle to the festive period (it will come round quicker than you think!) with an outstanding online showcase of 24 short films made by young people from across Europe - one for each day of advent.

Submit your film and get your work out there for all to see, viewed by some of the most influential people in filmmaking – not only online at electricdecember.org but also at the Electric December launch party at Watershed in December. You can submit your film(s) anytime before Thu 26 Sept.

Wyke Regis Junior School received the award for Best Film by primary age children at the launch of Electric December last year, their animated film - seen by thousands on big screens during the Olympics - was made in the Spring by the school's Year Five students working with a team of artists from Dorchester Arts. Project producer and drama facilitator Sharon Hayden from the artist's group ScreenPLAY said it was a wonderful achievement for the ten year old filmmakers.

We're thrilled their work is being recognised in this way. It’s the first time any of these children have been to Bristol - and being part of these awards has opened their eyes to some of the opportunities that are out there in our creative industries. Best Film in Electric December could perhaps be a first step on the path to a future career in film!

Last year we were thrilled to receive over 70 entries from across the UK and Europe including Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, Romania and Poland and we would love to beat this target in 2013. The final 24 films for Electric December's fourteenth edition were all selected for their imaginative and distinctive style and previous winners have received travel bursaries to attend the BUFF Young Peoples' Film Festival in Malmo, Sweden, placements at independent production companies and goodie bags from Aardman, BFI and FilmClub. We have some similar treats in store for whoever wins this year - so get your entries in now or get writing that script as soon as possible and good luck to all of you!

Hannah Higginson, Watershed’s Engagement projects producer says:

“Electric December is a brilliant opportunity for young people to showcase their work and I'm delighted to announce that we are open for entries. At Watershed we are committed to developing new talent and making sure that young people get an audience for their films. If you have shot a film in the last year or plan on making one over the summer make sure you enter it into Electric December.’”

Electric December is a Watershed project in collaboration with Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival as part of Fresh Flix with support from Bristol City Council and Arts Council England.

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