Surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Brindabellas and the Namadgi National Park, Canberra is not only Australia’s Capital City, but home to a wonderful community of creative independent filmmakers.
The festival has been founded by some of those independent filmmakers with a desire to have a not for profit, fair and transparent event, a festival that is accessible to all, no matter where you sit on the film making spectrum.
This is a festival with a genuine physical screening. A screening where filmmakers, families, friends and the community can attend and watch your film. After all, isn’t this why you make films?
From 7 to 9 November, the festival is held at the National Film and Sound Archives in Canberra, a national institution charged with the preservation of Australia’s film and sound. What better place to hold a film festival!
This is a festival run by independent filmmakers, for independent filmmakers!
All selections will receive our film festival laureate (of course) and a festival certificate. Yes, we’ll mail them to you if you can’t attend!
Our winners receive beautiful trophies. Our Best In Festival will receive $500.
Winners are selected from each category.
We have special glass trophies for the winners of our spaced out and schlock horror categories.
A special and unique glass trophy is awarded to the Best in Festival, handcrafted by a local glass artist.
Our Award Categories are as follows:
Junior Stars (12 to 16 years) Best Film
Young Person (under 18 years) Best Film
Student Film (any age) Best Film
Emerging Film Maker Award – Judged from winners of the Junior, Young Person and Student Best Film.
Uniquely Canberra District – Best Film.
Open Mini (up to 10 minutes) – Best Film
Open Short (up to 20 minutes)- Best Film
Inaugural Selections (3 min)
Open Female – Best Film
Sci-Fi – Best Film
Horror – Best Film
Open Documentary – Best Film
Canberra District Documentary
Audience Award
All films officially selected and screened at the festival are automatically eligible to be considered for the following awards as part of their entry :
Best Actor Open
Best Actor Under 18yrs
Best Actress Open
Best Actress Under 18yrs
Best Director
Emerging Filmmaker Award (youth categories only)
Best Horror
Best Cinematography
Best In Festival
For more information, visit What The Film Festival
