Eight local youths, aged between 16 and 17, produced the short film, which focused on the

dangers of drugs in the Nambucca Valley.

The work followed a youth as he tries to piece together the events of the night before, when he made it home, but one of his friends did not.

The fictional work was based on youth

experience and was shown in local high schools in the lead-up to the short film competition.

The young men had made the piece through film training school Metroscreen, which organised the film competition, with the support of youth organisation Headspace, based in Nambucca Heads.

Headspace youth worker and film-maker Danny Teece-Johnson said it was a huge achievement for the film to be among the 16 finalists short-listed from more than 50 entries.

“The winner gets $10,000 worth of film

equipment to help them make more films, which would be brilliant,” he said.

“But it’s mostly about making pathways for the boys into film-making, and providing on-going training.”

Headspace, with Macksville TAFE, is hoping to offer a certificate in screen later this year to encourage the talented youth of the Valley to pursue film.

The youths involved in the making of the short-listed film, including cast, crew and cameraman, will travel to Sydney to witness the screening of the film on September 4 at the Tom Mann Theatre in Surry Hills.

All eight were excited at the thought of seeing their work on the big screen, as well as taking a tour of Metroscreen and enjoying a harbour cruise.

The winner of the competition will be announced on the night of the premiere.