The Focus On Ability Short Film Festival will return for its 18th year on 18 October, with a major showcase and celebration taking place at The Concourse in Chatswood, New South Wales.
As announced, the afternoon will spotlight finalists from the annual short film festival, all of which have been chosen by an all-star panel of judges including Nick Hardcastle, Lynne McGranger, Tony Bonner AM, Christie Dawes, John Jarratt, Gerard O’Dwyer, James Stewart and Ada Nicodemou.
Focus on Ability Short Film Festival 2026 announced – quick links
What to know about the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival 2026
As in all years, the focus is on spotlighting short films and documentaries under five minutes which ‘shine a spotlight on the creativity, talent and achievements of people with disability, from filmmakers of all experience levels.’
Over 280 films were submitted for this year’s festival, with entries from 26 countries. Of those submitted, 62 were from school groups, allowing the talents of young filmmakers to shine.
Films selected as finalists will tour around Australia for various community screenings, and there will also be a dedicated SBS broadcast on 3 December, as part of the International Day of People with Disability.
‘We’re incredibly proud to welcome the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival Red Carpet Awards to Chatswood,’ Tanya Taylor, Willoughby Mayor says.
‘This festival is such a powerful celebration of talent, creativity and storytelling, while challenging the way we think about disability and ability.’
‘It gives people with disability the opportunity to be seen, heard and represented through stories that entertain, inspire and change perspectives. That focus on inclusion and celebrating the contribution of every person is something that resonates for me personally, as well as for Willoughby City Council, and we’re delighted to be part of it.’
As Focus on Ability Ambassador Paula Duncan says, the festival is all about education and inspiration, as well as celebrating local creatives.
‘This is my 16th year being involved in the festival and it has been such a journey watching it grow year by year,’ Duncan says.
‘Established by CEO Martin Wren in 2009, it has reached extraordinary heights with 283 films submitted last year and over 300,000 people viewing these inspiring films online and at various events. I thank my peers for their unwavering support, the Mayor of Willoughby, the Australia’s Disability Strategy, all the prize givers, the judges, and loyal sponsors for helping to keep this festival going year after year.’
Tickets for the Focus On Ability Short Film Festival are now available
As shared by the team, tickets for the Focus On Ability Short Film Festival are now available. The event is free to attend, although you will need to register to ensure an available spot.
The festival event will include screenings of the finalists and winning films, as well as a presentation of awards.
Whether you’ve seen the films or not, the team encourages everyone to feel welcome, and to celebrate alongside the talented filmmakers whose work will be on show.
Also on ScreenHub: Indigenous screen development lab formed between Australia, NZ and Canada
Canada’s Indigenous Screen Office, the New Zealand Film Commission and Screen Australia’s First Nations Department have today announced the formation of Shared Ground, a new lab for Indigenous filmmakers designed to strengthen relationships and create new storytelling opportunities within each country. As outlined by Screen Australia, the program is ‘built on the understanding that meaningful Indigenous collaborations begin with relationships.’
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