***DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 20th APRIL 2018***
Big Skies Film Festival is part of a Big Skies Festival 2018, a week long festival held at the iconic Jimbour House, just outside of Dalby in South East Queensland. The festival is an initiative run by the Western Downs Regional Council that celebrates the sights, tastes and experiences that the Western Downs has to offer. Big Skies Film Festival will be held as an open air cinema event under the stars, and the festival program runs over two nights of short films followed by a feature presentation.

This short film competition has two categories:
Any Device Competition
The Any Device Competition is a micro short film competition, whereby filmmakers of all ages and experience will be encouraged to submit a short film under 5 minutes long . These films will be judged on their merit as a whole, and the quality of the recording device will not come into consideration as part of the selection process.

These films must be filmed on location in the Western Downs in Dalby, Chinchilla, Jimbour, Miles, Tara, Warra, Bell, Jandowae or Wandoan. Films shot in 2018 for the purposes of this competition are strongly encouraged to apply. Please note that by “any device” this means the films can be shot on smartphone, tablet, DSLR, super 8, or any other video recording device.

Open Competition (Australia)
The Open Competition is for Australian short films up to 15 minutes that are set on location in Australia. Films that feature regional and rural settings are encouraged to apply.

Awards & Prizes

On closing night, an awards ceremony will be held, whereby our festival director will present two awards as follows:
Winner - Any Device Competition
*Camera package to the value of $4000
*Trophy for Winner "Any Device Competition" Big Skies 2018
Best Film - Open Competition
* VideoPro voucher up to $500 value
*Trophy for Best Film "Australian Open Competition" Big Skies 2018

If selected as part of the Official Selection, we ask that the filmmaker or a representative of the film please attend the awards ceremony to receive their prize.

Rules & Terms

*Filmmakers must be Australian citizens or permanent residents
*Films submitted to the Any Device Competition must take place in Dalby, Chinchilla, Jimbour, Miles, Tara, Warra, Bell, Jandowae or Wandoan
*Films submitted to the Open Competition (Australia) must be shot in Australia

We ask that all filmmakers filming on council land please seek appropriate permissions before filming. Applications to film can be accessed by contacting the Western Downs Regional Council, and will be fast tracked provided a risk assessment has been submitted. For private property, please ensure permission is sought from landowners directly before commencement of filming.

By submitting to BSFF 2018 applicants declare that they have the necessary rights to promote and distribute the film and agree to screening it at BSFF 2018.