MidCoast Council has organised a range of free events around the region, including a skate jam session and a short film festival in Gloucester.

National Youth Week runs from April 10 -18 with this year's theme being, 'Coming together to Connect, Share, Speak out and Celebrate', highlighting the festival's goal to be a celebration of young people.

The first event of the week kicks off in Gloucester with a skate workshop for beginners and intermediates levels on Thursday April 11 from 6pm at the skate bowl in Billabong Park. The following week, Gloucester will play host to Screenwave's Regional Youth Film Festival at Gloucester Citizens' Centre on Hume Street on Tuesday April 16 from 1.30pm until 3pm.

"Young people are not only our future, they contribute to our community in significant ways today and National Youth Week is a fantastic way to celebrate all the great things they add to our society," council's Youth Engagement Officer, Russell Ingram explained.

"But most importantly, it's a chance for them to get out in their community, have their voice heard, attend a variety of great events and just have fun together."

There's also a great incentive to attend the events with council offering a 'Youth Week Passport' initiative. Those taking part can have their passport stamped when they attend events and submit it into the draw for a major prize - an iPad.

"If they attend more than one event on the same passport they will also go into the second chance draw for some great smaller prizes, including gift cards," Russell explained.

In the lead up to Youth Week the Youth Photography exhibition is happening again from Wednesday 3 April to Sunday 14 April at the Art Gallery.

Events planned throughout the region include:

Thursday April 11: Gloucester - Skate Jam Session 6pm at Gloucester's Billabong Park

Friday April 12 : Taree - Skate Jam Session 4-6pm at Taree Skate Park, Live n Loud 6-9pm at Manning Regional Art Gallery

Saturday April 13: Taree - Youth Week Park Run 8-9am from river bank area behind KFC; Great Lakes - King of the Krater 10am-4pm at Tuncurry Skate Park, Martial Arts Demonstration 10-11am at Tuncurry Memorial Hall, Short Film Festival 12:30-2pm at Tuncurry Memorial Hall

Monday April 15: Great Lakes - 3 on 3 basketball comp 10am-2pm at Great Lakes Aquatic Centre

Tuesday April 16: Gloucester - Short Film Festival 1.30pm -3pm at the Gloucester Citizens Centre

Wednesday April 17: Taree - Beans and Banter 4pm-5pm at Taree Library

Thursday April 18: Taree - Short Film Festival 2-3.30pm at Manning Entertainment Centre

Also running throughout the week is the Youth Week the Youth Photography exhibition at the Manning Art Gallery.

More information on local Youth Week events and activities can be found on the Manning Youth Facebook or contact Russell Ingram on 6592 5338.