Harvey Zielinski’s Sweet Milk Lake has taken out the top award at CinefestOZ 2026, the $100,000 film prize for outstanding and transformative Australian film projects.
It was selected from a strong class of contenders, with the jury noting its powerful impact, the creativity and passion that inspired it, and its unique perspective.
ScreenHub: Sweet Milk Lake review – dive into this queer delight
Sweet Milk Lake is a film about a trans man who is mistaken for his cis brother, and then takes the opportunity to revel in the acceptance of his masculinity and brotherhood.
Sweet Milk Lake wins CinefestOZ prize – quick links
Jury comments on Sweet Milk Lake’s CinefestOZ award win
‘As a jury we were asked to assess each film against the broad criteria “excellence in Australian filmmaking”. There are many ways we could look at this, and in the end we came to the conclusion that we wanted to choose a film that had the strongest point of view, that clearly had something to say and share, and that possessed an emotional resonance that could bridge understanding between audiences and our communities as a whole,’ said jury member Greer Simpkin.
‘Our final choice – Sweet Milk Lake – is a film that is assured, technically impressive, and delivers a unique and transformative perspective to Australian cinema. A film bolstered by its courage and nuance, and in the end, offers a true sense of hope.’
Director and writer Harvey Zielinski expressed gratitude for the accolade, and for the hard work of the film’s cast and crew.
‘This is such an incredible, overwhelming honour. We’re very, very grateful. Thank you to CinefestOZ, the jury, our incredible cast and crew, and everyone who brought Sweet Milk Lake to life and believed in it from the beginning,’ Zielinski said.
‘This film is such a labour of love from so many people, and we’re so thankful it’s resonating. This means more to us than we can really put into words.’
Alongside Sweet Milk Lake, CinefestOZ 2026 also granted several other important screen awards, including the Screen Legend award, delivered to actor and writer Damon Herriman (The Fox, How to Make Gravy, The Arful Dodger).
‘Damon Herriman was celebrated at the Film Prize Celebration for his outstanding contribution to the Australian film industry and named the CinefestOZ 2026 Screen Legend,’ the team said.
‘The CinefestOZ Screen Legend Award honours an Australian actor or filmmaker of international repute that has played a valuable role in supporting CinefestOZ’s celebration of excellence in Australian filmmaking.’
Herriman also took out the Best Screenplay award in the CinefestOZ Short Film Awards.
Winners of the 2026 CinefestOZ Short Film Awards
A host of Australian-made short films were also celebrated during CinefestOZ 2026. Here’s the full list of winners from the annual CinefestOZ Short Film Awards:
- Best Short Film – Mates (directed by Rory Pearson)
‘Two old friends reunite in an inner west Sydney terrace, but something simmers beneath the surface. What does it truly mean to be mates?’
- Best Indigenous Short Film – Maŋutji (Catching Eyes) (directed by Siena Mayutu Wurmarri Stubbs)
‘Set in the Aboriginal community of Yirrkala in Arnhem Land, this love story in language explores how two teens navigate their mutual feelings while maintaining cultural boundaries and kinship.’
- CineWest Best WA Short Film – The Love Nub (directed by Cooper Clark)
‘A ventriloquist sells her dummy to a mime in a cluttered share-house, where the residents all seem to be searching for something that is impossible to find.’
- Best Directors – Harrison Rook and Tea Van De Burgh for The Happy Place
‘To escape horrors at home, Elsie, a mother with a 3-year-old boy, watches a late-night talk show The Happy Place. As her husband’s behaviour escalates, Elsie must decide whether to leave, or to stay.’
- Best Performance – Marcus Aldred-Traynor in Mates
- Best Screenplay – Damon Herriman for Candy Bar
‘A young girl thinks a man in the candy bar line looks like her dad.’
- Best Animation – Good Luck (directed by Cameron McNess)
‘A hero’s journey to restore Good Fortune to his cursed clan.’
- Diversity & Inclusion Award – Liability (directed by David Daradan)
‘Louis, a socially awkward support worker, discovers a few things were left out of his job description when he’s paired with Kyle, a rule-breaking client with Down Syndrome.’
