Trust chairman John Crawford said the organisation received about 40 scripts for short films each year, very few of which came from secondary school pupils.
The trust realised a way to stimulate interest in script writing was to get something in the school curriculum.
Nine months later, a six-module learning resource is ready to be delivered to every school in Otago next month.
Film makers Richard Thomas, Yoshiko Cowell, Steve Ting and King's High School media studies teacher Jo Harford joined forces to research and create the resource. Each video module was based around an interview with an Otago film-maker, and the showing of a film.
They explored different techniques including inspiration, narrative, and character development.
Teamed with the resource is a group of University of Otago science communication students who will assist any school that can use their help.
Mr Thomas said the initiative was not happening anywhere else in New Zealand or Australia.
"If we get one Robert Sarkies coming out of this, then we've done very well. If we get a few Robert Sarkies, I'll be jumping for joy."
Ms Harford said the important part of the resource was that it focused on writers. Cinematographers and directors were often a focus, but by hearing from writers, pupils could learn how a story developed.
"The narrative is the crux of the film. These guys are talking about writing, and it's local."
