The Yorkton Film Festival is partnering with Access Communications to host its 2013 High School Film Competition.

“We’re really excited about this program,” said Film Festival manager Randy Goulden at a press conference announcing the competition last Wednesday. She said the competition is a positive for both “the Saskatchewan film industry and youth across our province.”

This competition is open to high school students of all ages across the province and entry is free of charge.

The winners of each category will have their films screened across the province on Access Communications network.

Goulden said this is the second year for the competition, and in listening to high school instructors they have come up with a theme, Physical Acivity – Get Out, Speak Out, Act Out, which helps students focus their energies.

“The YFF is partnering with Saskatchewan In Motion, a province-wide movement that works to get kids moving more. Less than 15 per cent of Saskatchewan kids get the physical activity they need every day. Increasing the physical activity of all kids is a shared responsibility between families, schools and communities to ensure they each do their part to make sure kids get the minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity every day,” detailed a YFF release.

Sheila Hryniuk, representing Saskatchewan In Motion said she is “excited to see the creativity and imagination of students.”

Hryniuk said anything to raise awareness regarding youth being active is a good idea.

“It’s the first time in history children are expected to have shorter lives than their parents, and we’re not OK with that,” he said.

The competition is open to Saskatchewan high school students. Films must be submitted to the Yorkton Film Festival on DVD with completed entry and release forms by March 30, 2013.