Films by students at Norwich University of the Arts are being championed by an online festival, and people can show their support to the next generation of filmmakers by voting for their favourite online.

Many NUA students in their final year of film and moving image production, animation, or games art and design courses are competing for the accolades of the Public Vote Award and Critics Choice Award at the fifth annual Sunrise online film festival, and from Thursday people can watch their films on the festival website and cast their votes. The festival runs until July 18.

This year films include everything from Shaina Stoker's animated short Beyond the Curtain, the story of two skeletal musicians, to Stefano Passoni's short film Big Bada Boom, about birth and destruction of life on planet Earth.

Other entries include Jessica Noone's Anachronism, looking at what could happen when technology takes over, and Tegan Adams' film Chaffinch, about a man who leaves his pregnant wife.

Sunrise is a partnership between NUA and London-based agency ditto, and supported by the Eastern Daily Press, Norwich Evening News and Mustard TV.

Keith Bartlett, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Quality) and Dean of Media at NUA, said: 'The opportunity Sunrise provides to our students to get their work in front of audiences and people in the industry is really valuable. It is a really useful way of getting the students into a competitive frame of mind and putting their work in front of the public, and helping them make the transition between their courses of study and the world of work.'

He said he was impressed with the work by this year's final year students, and that people would have a great time watching their films.

'It would be great if people could take some time out to explore and enjoy the films,' he said.

'I think if people can just spend a bit of time playing around on the website, they will be very impressed. They will have some fun and be helping the students by casting their votes.'

Sunrise organiser Patti Carbonell, from ditto, said: 'ditto is proud to present the 5th Sunrise Online Film Festival - shining a light on young film making talent.'

The Sunrise 2013 awards ceremony will be in London on July 18.

• The Sunrise 2013 online film festival will be launched online on Thursday at 7pm at www.ditto.tv/sunrise/