Eight North Otago schools have taken up the challenge of making a video depicting future education.
They are entering the Gigatown School Video Competition, a nationwide event with its own impetus in Oamaru.
A film festival and awards night is being held in the town's Opera House tomorrow to showcase the work of the schools - Weston, Totara, Glenavy, Fenwick, Oamaru Intermediate, Waimate Main, Waihao Downs and St Kevin's College.
Gigatown Oamaru has subsidised local movie-makers Maddy Maxwell and Bridget Ellis to visit schools and inspire them to create a video lasting two to five minutes, showing how ultra-fast broadband could change the way they learn.
Ms Maxwell said she and Ms Ellis had spent a minimum of 10 hours at each school in the past two months.
Pupils were involved in every step of the project, from concept through acting and filming to editing.
''The students have come up with so many interesting ideas our biggest challenge has been squeezing the stories into a five-minute film,'' Ms Ellis said.
Each group of movie-makers also learned how to harness their differing talents, Ms Maxwell said.
For example, when it came to editing, some schools needed to call in another child with strong technical skills.
''You see some children's eyes light up.''
The project fitted well into the curriculum, contributing to speech contests and encouraging pupils to think about their school's special characteristics, she said.
Guest judges would view the videos at the Film Festival and award prizes including computer tablets and movie passes.
''It's guaranteed to be a highly entertaining red carpet evening packed with humour and drama. Plus, it's very affordable,'' Ms Maxwell said.
She and Ms Ellis hoped it would become an annual event.
