Trop Jr, the world’s largest short film festival for kids and by kids, will officially return in 2026 after a seven-year hiatus. The latest iteration of the event has been ‘reimagined’ for a new generation of young Australian filmmakers and storytellers, with a view to provide an ‘accessible national platform’ for students to share their most creative work.
Submissions for the film festival are now open and will close on 18 September. After a deliberation process, finalists will be chosen to attend a ‘Grand Final’ event on 4 December at The Astor Theatre in Melbourne, Australia.
Trop Jr returns in 2026 – quick links
How to enter Trop Jr in 2026
As announced, Trop Jr encourages aspiring creatives to develop an original short film of five minutes or less incorporating a signature item – a map. The item can be used in ‘any way the filmmaker chooses’ but it must be present in the film to ensure the short is eligible for consideration.
All films must be submitted to the judging pool by 18 September, with the help of a parent, guardian or teacher, and as compliant with submission rules and expectations. Additional criteria is that creatives submitting their work must be aged 15 years or under – this is strictly a competition for young people, and a chance for them to show off their imagination and talent.
Notably, this year’s festival has been aligned to the current Australian Curriculum Version 9.0 across The Arts: Media Arts, English and General Capability Critical and Creative Thinking module, with support from the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF).
Those looking to submit their works might like to browse the curriculum to understand more about how the program has been designed and what criteria it aligns with.
In addition to this resource, the Trop Jr team has also launched a Trop Jr Masterclasses series – a set of virtual learning sessions – to support young filmmakers with their aspirations and to learn more about the art of filmmaking with a focus on accessibility and practicality.
What to expect of Trop Jr in 2026
16 finalists will be chosen from the Trop Jr submissions and invited to walk the ‘Green Carpet’ at the Grand Final of the festival in Melbourne. Any finalists from outside of Melbourne will be provided with return flights and accomodation for up to four people to ensure they’re able to attend the show and that location is not a barrier to enjoying the spotlight.
The first place winner of Trop Jr will receive a prize pack worth $1,500. Additional prizes will be announced at a later date.
‘We’re so excited to be relaunching a new and improved Trop Jr, specifically designed around the school year, and we can’t wait to see what Australia’s next generation of great storytellers creates,’ John Polson, Tropfest Founder and Director (and star of Mission: Impossible 2) says.
‘A huge thank you to our partners at the Australian Children’s Television Foundation for their tireless work reaching schools across the country and helping teachers inspire their students to make a film.’
Jenny Buckland, CEO of the ACTF also shared praise for the return of the event and its potential to inspire a new generation of filmmakers.
‘Young people have incredible stories to tell, and Trop Jr gives them a national stage to share their ideas, creativity and unique perspectives,’ Buckland says.
‘Whether they live in a city, regional town or remote community, every child deserves the chance to have their voice heard. We’re thrilled to help bring Trop Jr back and support a new generation of storytellers to create, connect and show Australia the world through their eyes.’
