Poco is a short film festival bringing the best of Australian filmmaking to a new stage in Regional Victoria. Entries are accepted by filmmakers and animators around the country, in both regional and metropolitan areas, including students. Short films across any genre are accepted with SAE Best Short Film, Jury Prize and Best Student Film awards. Poco encourages all types of short film entries, including but not limited to; animation, drama, comedy, horror, documentary, sci-fi and music videos.

All shortlisted entries will be screened at the Poco Short Film Festival live event in Ballarat, 3rd August 2024 while also running a simultaneous online festival.

Poco - Shorts in Winter - August 2024.

TBA

- Submissions: All films must be uploaded directly to FilmFreeway via their Secure Online Screener system.
- Entries must have been completed (post-production) between the specified dates (30 June 2021 and 31 March 2024) to be eligible.
- All entries must have a maximum runtime of 25 minutes or less (including credits).
- The Submitter must own the rights to the film submitted or have permission from the owner/artist. It is the sole responsibility of the Submitter to secure permission from the rights holders of any and all copyrighted and/or trademarked content or materials included within the film, clear all content within the film from any and all actual or potential legal claims and issues. Poco will not be held responsible for any unauthorised inclusion of any copyrighted and/or trademarked content.
- All fees are non-refundable.
- Students must present a valid Student ID.
- Not all the submissions are selected for the official competition. Poco’s selection decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into. Poco does not provide critical analysis or feedback.
- Any film that is not in English must have English subtitles.
- Poco Film Fest operates a diversity and inclusion policy, judging content, without bias, including gender, sexuality, race and religion.
- Poco can consider any film to be disqualified if the festival considers the content inappropriate.
- All entries must abide by the content guidelines (link on website).
- By submitting an entry, the applicant accepts Poco Film Fest’s Rules and Terms.
- By submitting an entry, you authorize Poco Film Fest to distribute and share the film poster, trailer, synopsis and movie stills on our social media.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Hands down, easily the best festival experience I've had in Australia.

    It's a unique setup, where it's 1 night of talks and 1 night of short films. Perfect curation, amazing guests.

    Also Ballarat is a suburb worth visiting it you're out of town.

    August 2024
  • Jesse Vogelaar

    Really great regional festival. The line-up feature many of my favourite Australian shorts on the circuit and many of the filmmakers were in attendance, so it was great to connect. Definitely punching above their weight as a new festival.

    August 2024
  • Paul Rye

    My film was selected for the Student Category but unfortunately due to venue changes it was not able to screen but Poco bounced back and created an online platform for my film to be seen. Very happy with the overall experience and hope in the future to have another film selected and screen! Thanks Poco!

    August 2024
  • Alexandra George

    POCO Film Fest by its programming team, event, awards, incredible jury and curation of new voices in short film craft was, at every touchpoint: highly professional, slick and all about cinema. This festival is the real deal and Victoria is lucky it have it.

    August 2022
  • Fantastic festival that was run perfectly. Great variety of finalists, amazing hospitality and beautiful cinema! Highly recommend

    August 2022