State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said the competition has been created to give students a platform to showcase their ideas about democracy.

"It's not only adults who have a perspective on our system of government," Ms Saffin said.

"This initiative puts young people from the Electorate of Lismore in the driver's seat to share their knowledge in an interactive and creative way."

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The Parli-Flicks Short Film Award is sponsored by the Australasian Study of Parliament Group (ASPG) to mark International Democracy Day on 15 September 2021.

It is open to students in Years 7 to Year 12 and is free to enter. The overall winner will receive $250 in prizemoney and the honour of taking home the first Parli-Flicks trophy.

Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly Jonathan O'Dea MP said all entries must answer the question: "What does democracy mean to you?"

"We are challenging the secondary students of NSW to take the concept of democracy and work it into a short film that grabs attention and makes people think," Mr O'Dea said.

"There is so much talent out there and we can't wait to see the results."

The short film can be fictional or documentary in style, use live action or animation, be serious or light-hearted in tone. Films must run for no longer than 60 seconds and students can submit as an individual or in a group of up to five participants.

Awards will be given for the following categories:

All winners will be invited to an awards night at NSW Parliament House on 15 September 2021, the International Day of Democracy.

The closing date for entries is Friday, June 4.

For more information and details of how to enter visit the NSW Parliament Education website.