Join us to inspire with talents, and together create a cinema that transcends boundaries and connects hearts.

We invite you to become a part of the second annual "Whispers of the Universe: IFF Melbourne"! Our festival brings together directors, screenwriters and cinematographers from all over the world, offering a unique platform to showcase your creativity. This year we are once again opening the doors to innovative ideas, bold solutions and original narratives.
Our festival is not just a showcase for films, but also a place for inspiration, sharing experiences and establishing international relations. We strive to create a space where each participant can unlock their potential, receive valuable feedback from recognized experts and find like-minded people.
Eventful events await you throughout the festival, including online movie screenings, discussion panels and networking sessions. Our specially selected juries, consisting of respected film industry professionals, will evaluate the works in all the presented nominations at our film festival.
We pay special attention to supporting young and independent filmmakers. We believe that every voice is important and strive to provide a platform for those who are willing to share their stories and inspire others. Regardless of whether you are an aspiring director or an experienced craftsman, our festival is a place where your creativity will be truly appreciated.
Let's work together to create a future of cinema that connects cultures, overcomes barriers and opens up new horizons for everyone who passionately loves the art of cinema. Submit your work and open the world to your unique visions!
Detailed information about submitting applications and terms of participation is available on our official website.

Awards & Prizes

The following nominations are presented at the festival:

Nomination:
✨"Whispers of the Cosmos"
Feature Film (Nomination includes an assessment of the work in 6 categories at once)
- Best Feature Film
- Best Director Feature Film
- Best Producer Feature Film
- Best Soundtrack
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing

Nomination:
✨"Whispers of the Cosmos"
Short Film (Nomination includes an assessment of the work in 6 categories at once)
- Best Short Film
- Best Director Short Film
- Best Producer Short Film
- Best Soundtrack
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing

Nomination:
✨"Astral Voyage"
Best Inspirational Film (Nomination includes an assessment of the work in 6 categories at once)
- Best Inspiration Film
- Best Director Inspiration Film
- Best Producer Inspiration Film
- Best Soundtrack
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing

Nomination:
✨"Enchanted Realms"
Feature Documentary (Nomination includes an assessment of the work in 5 categories at once)
- Best Feature Documentary
- Best Director Feature Documentary
- Best Producer Feature Documentary
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing

Nomination:
✨"Enchanted Realms"
Short Documentary (Nomination includes an assessment of the work in 5 categories at once)
- Best Short Documentary
- Best Director Short Documentary
- Best Producer Short Documentary
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing

Nomination:
✨"Beyond the Stars"
Feature Experimental Film (Nomination includes an assessment of the work in 5 categories at once)
- Best Feature Experimental Film
- Best Director Feature Experimental Film
- Best Soundtrack
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing

Nomination:
✨"Beyond the Stars"
Short Experimental Film (Nomination includes an assessment of the work in 5 categories at once)
- Best Short Experimental Film
- Best Director Short Experimental Film
- Best Soundtrack
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing

Nomination:
✨"Cosmic Revelations"
Feature Screenplay (Nomination includes an assessment of the work in 3 categories at once)
- Best Feature Script
- Best Original Concept
- Best Author

Nomination:
✨"Cosmic Revelations"
Short Screenplay (Nomination includes an assessment of the work in 3 categories at once)
- Best Short Screenplay
- Best Original Concept
- Best Author

• Best Feature Film
• Best Director Feature Film
• Best Short Film
• Best Director Short Film
• Best Inspiration Film
• Best Director Inspiration Film
• Best Feature Documentary
• Best Director Feature Documentary
• Best Short Documentary
• Best Director Short Documentary
• Best Experimental Film
• Best Director Experimental Film
• Best Student Film
• Best Director Student Film
• Best Animation
• Best Director Animation
• Best Feature Script
• Best Short Script
• Best Original Concept
• Best Author
• Best Pilot Series
• Best Web/Tv Series
• Best Music Video
• Best LGBTQ
• Best Producer
• Best Cinematography
• Best Editing

Whispers of the Universe: IFF Melbourne offers the following categories of nominations:

1. Best Feature Film: Films with a duration of more than 45 minutes representing excellence in the quality of cinematic art will be evaluated in this category.
2. Best Short Film: Films with a duration of up to 45 minutes, showing talent and originality in the short format, will be evaluated in this category.
3. Best Documentary: Films based on real events and ideas, conveying stories, culture and social issues, will be evaluated in this category.
4. Best Experimental Film: Innovative films that rethink the concept of cinema and use innovative approaches to unusual forms of storytelling will be evaluated in this category.
5. Best Animated Film: Films created using animation techniques and possessing the art of visualization and storytelling will be evaluated in this category.
6. Best Student Film: Films created by students of educational institutions and art schools will be evaluated in this category.
7. Best Inspirational Film: In this category, films that skillfully and strongly inspire the audience, leaving deep emotional imprints and inspiring hope for the best will be evaluated.
8. Best Director: Outstanding directing skills reflecting the author's vision and aesthetics of the film will be evaluated in this category.
9. Best screenplay: In this category, the originality and quality of the script will be evaluated, conveying the ability to create fascinating and deep stories, creativity, quality of dialogues, three-dimensionality of characters, plot development and the overall structure of the project.
10. Best Author: This category recognizes outstanding work in the field of screenwriting for films, television programs or online series.
11. Best Cinematography: This category will evaluate the visual aspects of the film, including composition, light, color scheme and overall aesthetics of the footage.
12. Best Editing: Films that celebrate outstanding work in the field of film, video or television editing will be evaluated in this category.

There are also other categories at our festival in which you can take part.

Thank you for your participation and we wish you good luck!

Rules & Terms

Terms and Conditions
By submitting your work to the Whispers of the Universe: IFF Melbourne in accordance with the procedures described below, you confirm that you have read, understood and voluntarily agreed to comply with these Terms and Conditions for Cinematographers and submitted Works.
Details:
- The works must be fully completed before the date of submission of the project, you can send as a commercial or director's (if any) version of the work at your discretion;
- The works must be submitted with a link, and also make sure that the passwords to the closed links are valid at the time of submission of the works. Links can be provided through the following services: VIMEO, YOUTUBE;
- Original works submitted in other languages must have English subtitles;
- Fees and entry fees are non-refundable or transferable;
- The marketing department of the festival can use a fragment of your work (trailer, teaser, poster) for advertising purposes
- All rights to films, scripts, should belong to you, all costs of litigation or any other conflict should be settled by the parties involved in it;
- You are responsible for any claims of third parties;
- The Committee of the festival organization may consider the disqualification of any submitted work if it considers its content unacceptable;
Not all works are selected for participation in the official competition. Our judges are free to make their own choices.

63 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • Libor Spimr

    absoluty perfect..super Thank you very much... My friends

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Andrew Walker

    I want to extend my sincere thanks to Whispers of the Universe for recognizing my project, Sign of the Times. It's incredibly refreshing to see a platform that embraces both traditional and unconventional forms of storytelling with such openness and intention.

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Portia Harrell-Mitchell

    I appreciated being contacted to submit my film. Receiving the notification about their decision on time was delightful. I was thrilled to receive an award as well. Overall, I had a great experience.

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Padraig Trehy

    Excellent communication and feedback and delighted to be honoured as a winner in this festival

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Ralph Wagnitz

    an honor being selected for my feature (musical) screenplay "Minnesota Winds". Appreciate recognition from Australia! Would love to visit there someday!

    May 2026
    Helpful