Four enthusiastic filmmakers from Charles Sturt University's School of Communication have taken out first place in the Shoot Out film competition in Newcastle over the weekend.

The team of Allison Moore, Jake Stone, Steven Wheen and Julie Ashby impressed a panel of celebrity judges with their short film Look Dad, No Ears - a quirky light-hearted piece about the art of filmmaking.

The challenge was to produce a seven minute film in 24 hours, include five compulsory locations and no editing allowed.

In front of the 800 competitors making up the 100 competition entries, the CSU team not only won Best Film but took out Best Script and Best Cinematographer, awarded to Steven Wheen.

Armed with no more equipment than an analogue video camera, producer Jake Stone said the win has given them confidence that they can achieve anything and they have big plans for their newly formed production company, Disabled Productions.

"I'm really surprised and happy that we could make what we believe is a good, funny film in 24 hours with only the most basic equipment and no editing time. The competition was a real challenge and a great success."

The students came home with $2 000 prize money and memberships to various industry guilds.