The Emu Made Of Stars film project involves students working alongside St Kilda film maker Adam Whitbread to produce a presentation outlining issues affecting young people in the Hepburn Shire.

The animated short film will be shown to the public at a launch at the Grande in Hepburn Springs on December 4. It will also be shown at the St Kilda Film Festival.

The centre's VCAL and adult education coordinator Stephanie Goetze-Thies said the program would be a major boost for the region's youth, who are interested in learning the art of film making.

"We are delighted the Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre is benefiting from Australia Post's small grants program, Stretching the Envelope," Ms Goetze-Thies said.

"The grant will contribute to an exciting film making program happening at the Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre.

"The project is giving young people the chance to honestly voice the challenges and choices they face living in a small rural community and promote greater community awareness of the contribution young people make to the

community." she said.

Ballarat Mail Centre manager Col Weightman said the grants, which are delivered in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal, were part of Australia Post's commitment to regional centres.

"Aimed at promoting groups and projects that address youth, education, arts and culture this is a chance for us to make a positive contribution to the community at a grass roots level. This is one of three projects to be funded

in the Ballarat region," Mr Weightman said.

Other supporters of the project are Melbourne Girls College Student Foundation which has given $2000 towards the strategy and The Grande which will host a community film launch before the film goes on to be shown at the

St Kilda Film Festival in 2008.

Mr Weightman presented the cheque to Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre earlier this month.