SHOWDOWN SHORTS 2026 – TERMS & CONDITIONS
Event Information
Event: Showdown Shorts 2026
Date: Sunday 25 October 2026
Time: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm (AEST, QLD)
Venue: Nambour Cinema and Events Centre, Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Organiser: Sunshine Coast Screen Collective, part of ShowFest
Public screening event featuring Official Selections and live award presentations.
Key Dates
Entries Open:
Wednesday 13 May 2026, 12:00 am (AEST)
Regular Deadline:
Monday 31 August 2026, 11:59 pm (AEST)
Official Selection Notification:
Monday 21 September 2026
Press Kit Due:
Monday 28 September 2026, 12:00 pm (AEST)
Screening File Due:
Friday 16 October 2026, 5:00 pm (AEST)
Screening Event:
Sunday 25 October 2026, Nambour, Queensland, Australia
1. Eligibility & Categories
1.1 Categories
Featured Categories
Sunshine Coast Next Gen
Open to filmmakers currently enrolled in high school (Years 7–12) or homeschool equivalent and residing within the Sunshine Coast region (Sunshine Coast LGA and Noosa LGA).
This category celebrates the next generation of local screen creatives and encourages emerging young voices in filmmaking, storytelling, and screen production.
Sunshine Coast Regional Voices
Open to filmmakers residing within the Sunshine Coast region (Sunshine Coast LGA and Noosa LGA).
This category celebrates independent screen stories, creative voices, and filmmaking talent connected to the Sunshine Coast community and region.
Curated Spotlight Category
Oceania Independent
Open to independent filmmakers from across Oceania, including Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island nations.
This curated spotlight category highlights diverse screen stories and creative voices from across the wider Oceanic region.
1.2 Residency Eligibility
To be eligible to enter and receive any prize, the submitting filmmaker must primarily reside within the region relevant to the category entered at the time of submission and award.
For Sunshine Coast categories, filmmakers must primarily reside within the Sunshine Coast region.
Proof of residency may be requested, including:
Driver's licence or photo ID
Utility bill
Lease agreement
Rates notice
Failure to provide requested proof may result in disqualification.
1.3 Next Gen Eligibility
The Sunshine Coast Next Gen category is open to filmmakers currently enrolled in high school (Years 7–12) or homeschool equivalent, aged approximately 12–18 years.
Films submitted to this category must be substantially student-led and creatively driven by current high school students.
Adult participation is permitted in mentorship, supervision, or documentary interview contexts where appropriate.
Entrants under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to submit and participate.
Proof of enrolment or parental consent may be requested.
Schools or teachers may submit on behalf of student filmmakers where appropriate.
1.4 Original Work
Entrants must hold or control all rights necessary for public screening and promotion of the submitted film.
Films created, commissioned, or developed through previous Sunny Coast Showdown programs are not eligible.
2. Film Requirements
2.1 Runtime (including credits)
Sunshine Coast Next Gen: up to 7 minutes
Sunshine Coast Regional Voices: up to 10 minutes
Oceania Independent: up to 10 minutes
2.2 Completion Date
Films must have been completed on or after 25 October 2024.
2.3 Genre & Style
All short-form genres and styles are accepted, including:
Narrative
Documentary
Animation
Experimental
Music video
Hybrid formats
2.4 Language
Films containing non-English dialogue must include English subtitles.
2.5 Content Warnings
Entrants must disclose any relevant content warnings at the time of submission.
This may include material such as:
strong language
violence
blood or gore
horror themes
drug or alcohol use
flashing lights
sensitive mental health themes
depictions of self-harm
mature or distressing content
Content warnings help SCSC support judges, volunteers, and event participants during the review and assessment process, including younger viewers and student representatives.
3. Submission & Selection
3.1 Submission Platform
All entries must be submitted through FilmFreeway.
3.2 Multiple Entries
Multiple entries are permitted. Each submission must be entered separately.
3.3 Fees
Submission fees (if applicable) are non-refundable.
Public screening tickets are sold separately.
3.4 Official Selection
SCSC programmers curate a selection of Official Selections for public screening at Showdown Shorts 2026.
SCSC reserves the right to determine the number of Official Selections presented within each category based on programming requirements, runtime capacity, and overall submission quality.
3.5 Notification
Official Selections are expected to be notified via FilmFreeway by Monday, 21 September 2026.
3.6 Final Decisions
Programming and award decisions are final and at the sole discretion of the organiser.
4. Deliverables for Official Selections
4.1 Screening File
Selected films must provide a high-quality screening file in the format requested by the organiser.
Additional delivery specifications may be supplied upon selection.
4.2 Press Kit Materials
Official Selections may be asked to provide:
High-resolution stills
Poster artwork (if available)
Short synopsis
Director bio
Credits list
Content warnings
Caption status
4.3 Deadlines
Late delivery of requested materials may result in withdrawal from the screening program.
5. Awards & Prizes
5.1 Awards Presentation
Category winners and award recipients will be announced live during the event.
5.2 Prize Structure
Prize structures may vary between categories and may include:
Sponsor-supported equipment packages
Cash awards
Digital prizes
In-kind support
5.3 Audience Choice Award
An Audience Choice Award may also be presented across all screening categories.
5.4 Additional Awards
SCSC may, at its discretion, present additional awards or special mentions based on the submitted program, judging outcomes, sponsorship opportunities, or notable creative achievement.
These may include recognition for areas such as:
animation
cinematography
editing
performance
sound
creativity
audience engagement
or other standout contributions.
Additional awards are not guaranteed and may vary from year to year.
6. Rights, Permissions & Promotion
6.1 Screening Licence
By submitting, entrants grant SCSC a non-exclusive licence for the duration of the Showdown Shorts 2026 program period to:
publicly screen the film as part of Showdown Shorts 2026
use brief excerpts (up to 30 seconds), stills, titles, and credits for event promotion and reporting purposes
Promotional use may include:
social media
press materials
websites
event marketing
ShowFest and SCSC promotional content relating to Showdown Shorts 2026
No additional public screenings or full online hosting of selected films will take place without the filmmaker's separate permission.
6.2 Rights & Clearances
Entrants confirm that all required rights and clearances have been obtained for any material used within the submitted film, including:
music and sound recordings
stock footage
archival material
images and artwork
talent releases
filming locations
trademarks and branded material
permissions involving minors
This includes ensuring any music used is properly licensed or original.
Entrants acknowledge that music sourced from commercial streaming platforms, social media platforms, films, television, or other copyrighted media may not be cleared for public screening use.
SCSC reserves the right to refuse or withdraw films containing uncleared or infringing material.
Entrants indemnify SCSC against claims arising from missing or incomplete clearances.
6.3 Event Recording
The event may be photographed or recorded for promotional purposes.
Entrants consent to the use of:
names
film titles
stills
event photography
for promotional and reporting purposes.
7. Safety & Conduct
SCSC is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful event environment.
SCSC welcomes and encourages submissions from diverse voices and communities, including First Nations practitioners, regional creators, emerging filmmakers, and underrepresented storytellers across the screen sector.
SCSC reserves the right to refuse, withdraw, or disqualify any submission where material is considered:
unlawful
discriminatory
defamatory
unsafe
or inconsistent with the values and operational requirements of the event.
Drone footage must comply with applicable CASA regulations and any required permissions or approvals.
Proof of compliance may be requested.
8. General Conditions
8.1 Skill-Based Competition
Awards and Official Selections are determined based on creative merit, storytelling, originality, and overall craft.
Judging may consider elements such as:
storytelling
direction
performance
cinematography
editing
sound
creativity
audience engagement
and overall impact.
All judging and programming decisions are final and at the discretion of SCSC and appointed judges.
8.2 Previous Screenings
Films may have screened previously or be available online.
No premiere status is required.
8.3 Event Changes
SCSC reserves the right to amend event logistics, scheduling, venue details, and prize structures if required.
8.4 Liability
SCSC is not responsible for:
technical failures
upload issues
corrupted files
internet or platform outages
playback issues caused by supplied materials
or costs incurred by entrants, including production, travel, accommodation, freight, or submission expenses.
While all reasonable efforts will be made to present selected films as intended, SCSC accepts no liability for circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including venue, scheduling, or technical or operational disruptions.
8.5 Acceptance of Terms
Submission via FilmFreeway constitutes acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.
8.6 Contact
Questions and requests:
info@screencollective.au
