The Joy House Film Festival is a yearly short film festival with the main theme of JOY and sub-theme of diversity. It's purpose is not only to give a platform for up and coming & emerging filmmakers, but to build a happier humanity. It's the only film festival in Australia that is supported by Actors Equity Australia's Diversity Committee.

It's open to submissions all year round.

Event dates 9th February 2025 (includes online)

Awards & Prizes

Up to $1000 worth of prizes. Prizes include -cash vouchers, movie tickets, show bags, Haribo lollies etc.

Prizes for Best short film, Best diversity short film & Best Female Filmmaker film.

Supported by Actor's Equity Australia's Diversity Committee.

Rules & Terms

Light entertainment short films. Short films must be made within 5 years and they must have a scene of JOY (happiness) in the short film. Open to drama, comedy, animation, stop animation, music video, action etc.

If selected, the short film must be submitted for exhibition in Mp4 or mov (formatted 25 frames / p.s / or 24 frames /p.s only ) mp4, fast fwd credits.

Early Bird Christmas Special $25

Early Bird Special $30

Regular fee $35

Late fee $40

Tip- we've found that our audiences love short films that are joyful and direct & to the point (around 5 mins & under is the best result). The shorter the better! Finalists must have liked the Joy House Film Festival Facebook page & support the festival, in order to be eligible to receive prizes. If you happen to submit a longer film, if selected we will request you to edit it to 10 mins or under due to strict cinema time requirements for the whole festival.
14 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Radheya Jegatheva

    It was truly a joy to have been part of the festival - thank you so much for the Coles Best Short Film Award for our short animated film 'Bird Drone'. My team and I are so grateful and honoured!

    A big thank you to Joy Hopwood for all of your hard work in making this amazing festival possible, especially one that's centred around spreading happiness, which I think is really beautiful and so important. Thank you so much!

    November 2023
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Radheya for your kind words. The judges & the audience enjoyed your uplifting film with a great story. You have a great future & we look forward to see your career grow strength to strength & we are honoured to have been a part of your film career’s journey. All the best.

  • Clare Chun

    The Joyhouse Film Festival is a professionally ran high quality film festival. Festival director Joy Hopwood is an excellent communicator and is a pleasure to work with.

    She let me know 6 months in advance that I was on the short list and to verify my film link works. Living far away from Australia, I was so grateful she gave me a heads up especially with the high costs of travel.

    Later when I couldn't be there in person I messaged her and she emailed me a link of the festival and was very transparent about the scheduling and that it wasn't worth spending thousands on travel costs.

    The festival itself has industry judges, there is no favoritism or politics, and all the awards are strictly merit based.

    Even after the festival was over she continued correspondence regarding film opportunities and broader career questions. I feel like I have a new friend down under :)

    If you're thinking about entering then I strongly recommend you do so.

    November 2023
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words. We are so happy to have filmmakers who are not only talented but who are grateful too. You have a great future. We look fwd to see you grow & achieve whilst entertaining & making the world a better place 🙌

  • Dan Sanguineti

    It was a really lovely expierence being part of the festival. Joy and her team really made it feel special with some really great press opportunities to accompany the official selection. I'd definitely look to submit future films to be considered for subsequent events!

    November 2023
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Dan for being part of our festival and making positive projects that promote diversity & inclusion. Together we can make a positive impact = social change for the better.

  • Lisa Bishop

    Thank you for selecting Happy Anniversary as the winning film amongst a lovely selection of films that are spreading a message of happiness. A small festival with a big heart.

    September 2022
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Lisa for making a wonderful uplifting film and being part of our 2022 lineup

  • Stephen Jenkins

    A great festival and extremely great communication especially amongst covid.

    November 2021
    Helpful