Show Us Your Shorts

Short Film Competition

Our short film competition, Show Us Your Shorts, is held annually in conjunction with the Warburton Film Festival.

The competition offers a range of prizes, including:

Golden Shorts Award (Best Overall Film) – $1,000

Student filmmakers, along with emerging creators of all ages, are warmly encouraged to submit their work for the opportunity to be recognised with major awards. Full entry requirements and submission guidelines are outlined further below.

Awards are presented during the festival, and shortlisted filmmakers are encouraged to attend the screening and presentation sessions where possible.

Each film is eligible to receive only one award. For example, a film awarded the Golden Shorts Award will not be considered for any additional categories.

Judging takes place following the close of entries, with all decisions made by the judging panel considered final.

Selected short films are screened ahead of feature presentations during the festival, with merit certificates awarded accordingly. Award winners are announced during one of the festival sessions. All other entrants receive an acknowledgement of submission.

For more than 16 years, Show Us Your Shorts has been a valued initiative supporting and encouraging emerging filmmakers, particularly young creatives, and continues to foster new talent within the community.

A selection of previous Golden Shorts winners, along with links to their work, can be found below.

Alumni

Matthew Holmes was awarded Senior Technical Excellence Award (2014) for The Artifice, and has since produced the feature film The Legend of Ben Hall.

Conditions of Entry

Show Us Your Shorts is a key component of the Warburton Film Festival, dedicated to showcasing emerging filmmakers from across Australia, with a particular focus on the Yarra Ranges. The competition aims to encourage creative, original storytelling and inspire filmmakers, especially young people, to bring their ideas to life on screen.

Selected short films are incorporated into the festival program and screened ahead of feature presentations across the festival weekend, with award winners announced during a scheduled session.

All entries must be submitted via the FilmFreeway platform.

Requirements for entries short-listed for screening

• Your short film as a video file (e.g. mp4, mov) on a USB stick for screening
• Alternatively, provide a link to enable an online download in a digital format suitable for screening
• Entry fee of $10 per film entry (payable through FilmFreeway)
• 2 production stills: prints, PDFs or JPGs (if available)

Where to Send Your Entry

Upload to FilmFreeway

Other Requirements

• Films must not exceed 12 minutes in running time.
• Films must have been made during the previous 12 months.

Opening and Closing Dates

Entries will be received from 9^th February until the closing date of 10^th May 2026

Enquiries

Coordinator: “Show Us Your Shorts”
PO Box 110, Warburton
VIC 3799

or

yrfs.president@gmail.com

Entries selected as finalists will be screened as part of the Warburton Film Festival and may be included in the Yarra Ranges Film Society program throughout the year.

Prizes and Eligibility

The major award for overall best film - the Golden Shorts award is $1000.

Other awards will be made at the discretion of the judges.

Film entries only accepted from residents of Australia.

Merit certificates issued to those short films selected to be screened during the festival weekend.

Acknowledgement of receipt of entry for all other film submissions is available.

Screenings

A short film finalist will be screened prior to each feature film throughout the Warburton Film Festival at the Arts Centre, Warburton. Award-winning entries will be announced and screened during a session at the Warburton Film Festival. All participating filmmakers are invited to attend.