Making the world a more creative place, ten minutes at a time.

Short+Sweet Film Festival returns for its fourth year showcasing Illawarra, Australian, and International Film Makers.

The Illawarra, located on the South Coast of NSW Australia, boasts an impressive theatre community with over a dozen active theatre companies and a large talent pool of actors, writers and directors. Short+Sweet Illawarra is proud to extend its festival to filmmakers in the region, providing a platform for their work to be seen alongside our Australian and international submissions.

The Short+Sweet Film Festival is unique for three distinct reasons:

1) For just one entry you are in consideration for all our international film festivals, opening up your chances to have your screen filmed around the world

2) We have a very strong international network and this network is constantly expanding.

3) We are unique in that we have a very strong connection to theatre. We do not believe the gap between theatre and film should be so wide and we aim to bridge this gap. With our close partnership with our sister theatre festival, we encourage theatre and film practitioners to be one and the same.

4) We screen all sorts of films and all sorts of genres and support all sorts of filmmakers from seasoned pros to emerging artists.

We run our Film Festival Gala Finals in three groups:

* ILLAWARRA LOCAL FILMS
* AUSTRALIAN FILMS
* INTERNATIONAL FILMS

If you have already submitted your film to one of our Short+Sweet Film Festivals in the last 6-12 months, please make contact with Festival Director Luke Berman before submitting your film at luke.berman@shortandsweet.org

If you are unable to make payment for, or cannot afford the submission fee. You can apply for a fee waiver code
Link: https://forms.gle/qiZLSsunpvczKoue9

Please note:
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY ENTERED YOUR FILM TO ANOTHER SHORT+SWEET FILM FESTIVAL IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS PLEASE USE LINK BELOW TO GET YOUR FEE WAIVER CODE:
Link: https://forms.gle/qiZLSsunpvczKoue9

PEOPLES CHOICE
Our audience attending the event vote for their top three films across (all three film groups), ranked from 1st to 3rd preference. A film receiving a first place vote will be given 3 points, with 2nd preference receiving 2 points, and 3rd place receiving 1 point. Votes are tallied and the film with the highest votes will be crowned the PEOPLES CHOICE WINNING FILM of 2023.

JUDGES CHOICE
Our judges will vote for films at the live screening, and will issue the following awards:

* BEST FILM
* Best Illawarra Film
* Best Australian Film
* Best International Film

FESTIVAL DIRECTOR AWARD
Our Festival Director will also select one film for the Festival Director's Pick to the most outstanding film that did not win any categories in the Judges or Audience voting. It may be awarded to a film for outstanding merit, or as an encouragement award to recognise the work done by exceptional filmmakers.

It should be noted that while our festival is not rich with prizemoney, it does offer a wonderful opportunity for progression. While our winning films are often selected by other Short+Sweet Festivals such as Short+Sweet Hollywood, Sydney, Essex and many more - our winning films will be screened in the following locations:

BEST FILM & PEOPLES CHOICE WINNER
Will be shown in the International Film Section at the Gala Final of Short+Sweet Manila

BEST ILLAWARRA & AUSTRALIAN FILM
Will be shown in the International group at Short+Sweet Cebu and Manila (Semi-Finals)

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
Will be shown in the International group at Short+Sweet Cebu and Manila (Semi-Finals) unless the winner is a Filipino filmmaker, in which case it will be shown in the Filipino Manila or Cebuano group.

In keeping with the Short+Sweet tradition, all films must be 10 minutes or less and can be shot and edited on any device. The absolute longest a film may run (including credits is 10 minutes and 59 seconds)

You must have permission to use any images, storylines, music, etc. in your film.

Please ensure films that are not in English have English subtitles burned into the film.

There are no more limits other than your imagination.

By entering your film to S+S you are agreeing to the following:

1.The running time of my Film is 10 minutes and 59 seconds or less. Films longer than this will not be considered and the entry fee forfeited.

2. I am the creator of the Film and I give permission for the Film to be presented at any Short+Sweet (S+S) festival or event for which it is eligible. If I am not the (sole) creator of the film I warrant that I have obtained all necessary permissions of writers, originators or contributors.

3. Should my film be selected for a Short+Sweet Festival or event I understand I will receive no royalties or other payment for any screenings, live or virtual, but may be eligible for prizes and professional development opportunities.

4. I understand that my Film will be assessed by a selection committee and that no communication will be entered into by S+S regarding this process. The selection decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

5. I give S+S the right to screen/record/photograph my Film for archival, marketing, and publicity purposes (including in unpaid public forums such as YouTube, Vimeo, or similar).

6. A Film which has been publicly screened in the host city of any S+S festival is still eligible for entry and consideration in any of our S+S festivals and cities.

7. All plays which have been adapted into films must have the permission of the playwright.

8. I understand copyright material cannot be used unless I have documentation to prove legal authorisation from the musician, artist, writer, or record label.

9. I may also be required to provide Actor Release Forms to be signed by the people appearing in your film.

10. I understand that Films in any language are eligible, but must be subtitled in English.

11. The festival is open to filmmakers of all ages and levels of experience.

12. Submission deadline for Short+Sweet Illawarra Film Festival is 11:59 pm (AEST), June 30, 2023.

13. All content submitted must be in accordance with the law and any perceived illegal activity will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

14. I understand that if my Film is selected as a finalist I will be required to provide S+S with the highest quality recording of the Film so that it can be screened.

15. No restrictions on the Device(s) used to record or create video and audio.

16. No restrictions on Software used to create, edit or enhance video and audio.

17. The festival is open to filmmakers of ALL ages and levels of experience.

Privacy Statement.
The personal information provided by you will only be used by us for S+S Festivals, competitions, and related activities, and to communicate with you about those activities. You can opt-out of these at any time by responding to any emails received with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line or the body of an email.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Amazing experience in the festival. Thank you so much.

    September 2023
  • Eli Razo

    Lovely Festival with a great professional and community highlight!

    September 2023
  • Greg Moran

    Great Film Festival. Good communication. A pleasure to be involved with.

    September 2023
  • I was honored to participate in this year's 6th Short+Sweet Film Festival Illawarra with "Resurrection under the Ocean" short film! - πŸ˜ƒπŸ˜ƒπŸ˜ƒπŸ™πŸ™πŸ™πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

    September 2023
  • The festival was well organised, had a close intimate feel to it and showcased some outstanding national and international talent. Communication with the festival director (Luke) was prompt and professional. This is a great little festival to support and be supported by.

    August 2023