Communicate The Science of Recycling with the MobileMuster Film Comp!
You don’t have to be an experienced filmmaker to take part in MobileMuster’s Film Competition – all you need is an idea, imagination and motivation.
The theme for 2022 is ‘The Science of Recycling’.
It is important to link to the call to action (recycling your old phones) and this year’s theme when developing the storyline.
Students get to create a one-minute film encouraging your community to recycle their old mobile phones. Students can create their film in any genre (comedy, action, romance, drama, sci-fi) and style (fictional, documentary or animation) – the choice is theirs. Take a look at our amazing 2021, 2020 and 2019 winners and finalists for inspiration.
Cool Australia lesson plans help students to explore the topic of mobile phone recycling, learn about changing behaviours and develop their filmmaking skills.
Get involved!
Entry is open to all primary and secondary students in Australia – and yes, this includes homeschoolers and remote learners.
Important dates:
- 13 June 2022 – Film Competition Opens
- 30 September 2022 – Film Competition Closes
- 11 October 2022 – Finalists and Highly Commended Films Announced
- 8-14 November 2022 – Winners announced and showcased during Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week
MobileMuster will be awarding a $3,000 JB Hi-Fi voucher to the winner in each of the below categories and a $1,000 JB Hi-Fi voucher to up to three finalists. The categories are:
Lower Primary (Years 1-4) | Upper Primary (Years 5-6) | Lower Secondary (Years 7-9) | Upper Secondary (Years 10-12)
For judging criteria, entry guidelines and terms and conditions, check out the competition website. Take a look at our previous winners and our expert tips for inspiration. Good luck!
Education Resources
We have partnered with MobileMuster to create six lessons for Years 3-8 designed to support teachers and students in producing quality films for the competition. We recommend the following sequence of lessons, depending on the year levels you are working with.

Film-making Toolkit
– Years 3 to 8

Interviews On Recycling
– Years 3 & 4

Designing For Film
– Years 3 to 6

Changing Behaviour
– Years 5 & 6

Designing for Sustainability 1
– Years 7 & 8
Enjoying the MobileMuster Resources?
We have another Unit for Primary Years 3 to 6, check it out!
Expert Tips
To help students with their competition entries, watch the experts from Vidico share their tips on how to create a great narrative and technical elements for your film.
Creating a Narrative
Technical Elements of a Great Film
Previous Winners
The theme for the 2020 competition was Small actions, Big Impact.
This awesome film is from Primary winners Khristian and Kael from Applecross Primary School
WA.
Check out the award-winning 2021 videos and be inspired to recycle here.
Check out the 2020 entries here.
Check out the 2019 entries here.
With Thanks to Our Partner
MobileMuster is the product stewardship program of the mobile phone industry and is accredited by the federal government. It is voluntarily funded by all of the major handset manufacturers and network carriers to provide a free mobile phone recycling program in Australia to the highest environmental standard. The program is committed to raising awareness and educating the community on why it is important to recycle.
© 2022 MobileMuster and Cool Australia
Cool Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to land, water and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past, present and emerging.