The Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC), in association with Swinburne University of Technology, invites emerging and established filmmakers to submit films for consideration in the 2026 Multicultural Film Festival (MFF).

The MFF celebrates multiculturalism through short films that explore stories of cultural diversity and living in multicultural Australia. Australia is home to the world’s oldest continuous cultures and people who identify with more than 300 ancestries from around the world.

We are seeking creative and original short films about any aspect of cultural diversity created by:

-people with a multicultural background (for example, they or their family arrived in Australia as migrants, refugees, or asylum seekers)
- filmmakers globally of any background who produce films that explore multiculturalism and promote social cohesion.

Interpretations could include personal stories of the filmmaker, their friends, family, or a community member. Films can explore the differences and distinctions inherent in Australia’s cultural, linguistic and religious diversity.

We remain excited about supporting more screenings and broadcasts of the Official Selection at in-person, virtual, or hybrid events across Victoria, as well as on SBS On Demand.

SBS proudly sponsors the 2026 MFF.

EVENT DATE
Premiere to occur during Refugee Week on 18 June 2026 at ACMI Cinemas.

Awards & Prizes

ELIGIBILTY:

Victorian filmmakers are eligible for all categories.
Australian filmmakers are eligible for the National category.
Entrants worldwide are eligible for the Chairperson's Refugee Stories Award and the People's Choice Award for Best Short Film.

The MFF 2026 Award categories are:

• Best Victorian Short Fiction
Short fiction films created by Victorian producers, directors, writers or actors. To be selected by the judging panel.
Sponsored by Swinburne University of Technology.

• Best Victorian Short Non-Fiction Film
Short non-fiction films (e.g., documentaries) created by Victorian producers, directors, writers or actors. To be selected by the judging panel.
Sponsored by The Bruce Wong Foundation.

• Best National Short Film
Short films from across Australia in any genre (fiction, non-fiction, animation, music video, or other). To be selected by the judging panel.
Sponsored by SBS.

• Chairperson's Refugee Stories Award
Short films addressing refugee or asylum seeker experiences in any genre (fiction, non-fiction, animation, music video, or other). This category is open to filmmakers from the national category. To be selected by the VMC Commissioners.
Sponsored by the Victorian Multicultural Commission.

• People's Choice Award for Best Short Film (Official Selection).
To be chosen by the audience via live voting at the premiere screening and selected from the Official Selections.
Sponsored by Segmento.

Award-winning films will be officially announced and screened at the 2026 MFF Premiere Screening on 18 June in Melbourne at ACMI Cinemas.

Prizes
All films chosen for the 2026 MFF Official Selection will:
• receive an official MFF laurel, a digital image acknowledging the film’s specific achievement that can be displayed on the film and in trailers, websites and social media
• be available on the VMC’s YouTube Channel (option to exclude)
• have the potential to be screened on tour at partner venues
• be promoted to government and non-profit organisations for screening events or broadcasts (see below Terms)

All award-winning films will:
• receive a monetary prize of AUD$2,500
• receive a one-hour online industry professional development session with relevant SBS representatives to discuss tips and ideas in a Q&A session
• be featured in the 2026 MFF Booklet (as outlined above)
• be credited as such in all publications, screenings and broadcasts

Award-winning films in the Victorian categories will:
• receive an Independent Film Financing package from Cinespace mentors and producers, including 5 x 1hr consultation sessions, auspice service support, additional benefits and bespoke support provided
• receive a Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF Membership) valued at $78 with a number of exclusive perks to enjoy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can submit a film?
Entry is open to Victorians, Australians and international entrants.

Do I have to be a professional filmmaker?
No. You don't need to be qualified or experienced in film production. Anyone with a recording device can submit an entry, provided they and their film meet the requirements.

Is there an entry fee?
No.

How long should the films be?
Films must be 10 minutes or under.

Do films have to be in English?
No. Films can be in any language or have no dialogue at all. Foreign-language audio (or important on-screen text) must have English subtitles.

Do films need to address a subject matter?
Yes. Films should address multiculturalism, social cohesion, and/or cultural diversity and/or feature people with relevant lived experiences. Cultural diversity refers to the differences among groups of people resulting from their racial or ethnic backgrounds, faiths, languages, and/or traditions. Films that showcase the commonalities between people of different cultures are encouraged as well positive stories to celebrate the benefits of multiculturalism.

Do I need to provide anything else with the film at the time of submission?  
Yes. Entrants must provide:
1. A film synopsis of up to 100 words focusing on multicultural content.
2. Stills from the short film.
3. A biography of up to 150 words to describe themselves, including their background.

What do I need to supply if my film is selected in the Official Selection?
MANDATORY
1. A photograph of the main filmmaker attending the premiere.
2. A one line film synopsis.
3. The film script* (Word or PDF)
4. High-resolution file of the film (details on file format further below)
5. High-resolution images of the film (300 dpi resolution, landscape and portrait)
6. Music cue sheets (detailing titles, composers and publishers of all music used)

* For films containing languages other than English, please provide English Subtitles or Closed Captions (SRT file, Word or Excel)

OPTIONAL
7. Poster artwork (PDF, EPS, AI or flattened TIFF, PNG or JPEG) if available
8. Trailer/screener of the film with split track audio (WAV), only if available
9. EPK - Electronic Press Kit, if available

How many films can I submit?
A maximum of two films, provided they are significantly different from each other.

What format do films need to be in?
The films must be submitted in the following format so that the VMC, Swinburne, SBS On Demand and other providers can screen them.
• Standard: Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) 1080p (1920 x 1080).
• Format: 1998 x 1080 (the 1998 format conforms with DCP).
• Aspect: 16:9.
• Audio: Stereo, sample rate 48khz (128 kbps).
• Codec: MPEG 4 (.mp4) 4.5 Mbps.
• Frame rate: 24fps.
• H.264 compression.
• For films shot in SCOPE format, the format needs to be 2048 X 858.

Will I receive a distribution fee if chosen as part of the Official Selection?
No. The MFF will include a premiere, tour screenings and the opportunity to be profiled on SBS On Demand (option to opt-out).

Rules & Terms

The MFF is run by the State of Victoria (the State), acting through and in association with the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) and Swinburne University of Technology.

The MFF includes film submission and judging, the announcement of the Official Selection, award-winning films and honourable mentions, and the screening or broadcasting of films by organisations approved by the VMC.

Please read these Terms carefully.
If you have questions, contact VMC at events@vmc.vic.gov.au
For technical questions or submission issues, email adionysus@swin.edu.au
By submitting a film to the MFF, you accept these Terms.

Closing Date
1. Films must be submitted by 10 March 2026, 11:59 pm PT (Pacific Time). Late submissions will not be accepted.

Age and Parental Consent
2. Films from entrants under 18 must be submitted by a parent, guardian or their school.

Eligibility
3A. Entry is open to Victorians, Australians and international filmmakers.
3B. Definition of “Multicultural” – For the purposes of the MFF, multicultural means stories that explore, celebrate, or critically examine the meeting of two or more cultures, cultural diversity within a community, or experiences of intercultural exchange.
4. Filmmakers must not enter using false information.
5. The VMC may, at its sole discretion, disqualify a film if:
a. it does not comply with these Terms;
b. the filmmaker breaches these Terms or engages in unlawful or improper conduct; or
c. the VMC considers a film inappropriate, defamatory, discriminatory, offensive, or otherwise not in compliance.
6. Films must meet the format and length requirements outlined in the festival FAQs.
6A. A film may be submitted to more than one category only if it clearly meets the eligibility requirements of each category. Judges will consider each submission separately to ensure fair assessment.
7. Filmmakers may submit a maximum of two films, provided they are significantly different.

Biography and Photo
8. Entrants acknowledge that their biography and photo will be used to support their entry and may be read at the MFF and used in promotional activity by the VMC and Swinburne University.

Consent
9. By submitting a film, the entrant confirms all subjects appearing in the film have consented to its use by the VMC, the State and Swinburne University for promotional activities.
10. The VMC, the State, and Swinburne University are not responsible for obtaining consent from subjects and accept no liability for consequences arising from a failure to obtain permission.

Restrictions
11. Films must be nonpartisan, non-political, free from obscene or defamatory content, and suitable for audiences under 18.
12. Films are recommended to comply with a G or PG classification.

Originality and Copyright
13. Films must be the original work of the filmmaker.
14. The filmmaker is responsible for obtaining permissions to reproduce any third-party material.
15. The filmmaker bears full responsibility for copyright compliance.
16. The VMC, the State, Swinburne University, SBS On Demand and partner organisations screening the content accept no responsibility for any infringement by the filmmaker.

Entries in Other Competitions
17. Films entered elsewhere are welcome, provided no logos/branding breach copyright or licensing agreements.

Judging and Criteria
18. The judging panel will evaluate films using the following weighted criteria to ensure a balanced assessment of artistic, cultural and technical elements:

• Multicultural Storytelling & Research – Depth and authenticity of cultural representation, with evidence of respectful research.
• Originality & Creative Vision – Innovative storytelling and distinctive voice.
• Intercultural Exchange & Social Cohesion – Contribution to dialogue and understanding across cultures.
• Technical Merit – Cinematography, editing, sound and overall production quality.
• Audience Impact – Emotional resonance and ability to inspire reflection or change.

The MFF will circulate these criteria to all jurors before judging.
19. The number of Official Selection films and awards is at the sole discretion of the MFF.
20A. The judges may consider a short film to be reallocated into a different category.
20B. The judges’ decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

Notification and Announcement
21. Official Selection filmmakers will be notified of the MFF Premiere Screening at least one fortnight prior to supply supplementary files, sign a touring agreement and conduct a National Police Check.
21A. One filmmaker representative attending the premiere will be required to complete a National Police Check. Instructions on how to complete a National Police Check will be provided by the VMC at a later stage.
21B. by submitting a National Police Check, the filmmaker will be consenting to the department being provided with the results of their national police check for the purposes of conducting the awards. The department reserves the right to disqualify a short film in the event that the results of their police check are deemed unsatisfactory by the department, with no right of review. However, an alternative representative from the film production team may be granted permission to undertake the check on behalf of the original applicant to represent the film at the premiere if the outcome is satisfactory.
22. Award winners and honourable mentions will be announced at the MFF Premiere Screening in June 2026. Prizes may be shared if multiple recipients are awarded in the same category.

Use of Films (Licence and Intellectual Property)
23. Entrants retain intellectual property in their films.
24. The entrant (or parent/guardian) grants to the VMC, the State and Swinburne University a three-year non-exclusive licence to:
a. screen and use films across events and promotional platforms;
b. use portions of the film for promotion;
c. screen films at MFF events and annual tour organised by the VMC or Swinburne University;
d. online and via a televised broadcast (including Advertising-Based Video on Demand and Catch Up rights) by SBS On Demand.
25. Non-exclusive means entrants may screen their film elsewhere.
26. Entrants will always be credited as authors.
27. The VMC, the State and Swinburne University will notify entrants of screenings wherever practicable.
28. Entrants may revoke this licence at any time by emailing events@vmc.vic.gov.au

Publicity
30. As a condition of entry, filmmakers consent to:
a. their name being announced publicly through VMC, State and Swinburne communications (including media and social media);
b. if part of the Official Selection, having their film promoted following the 2026 MFF and leading up to the 2027 MFF.
31. If filmmakers promote their own MFF participation, they must acknowledge the MFF.

Cancellation
32. The VMC and the State may cancel, modify or postpone the MFF at their discretion if circumstances beyond their control arise.
33. If the MFF is interfered with or is incapable of being held for reasons beyond the State’s control, the State reserves the right and discretion to modify, postpone, suspend or cancel the MFF.
34. The State reserves the right to extend, cancel or amend the process for the MFF, including these Terms, in its absolute discretion at any time.

Liability
35. The VMC, the State, and Swinburne University are not liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered by any filmmaker, including, but not limited to, indirect or consequential loss or for personal injury suffered or sustained during preparing the film, entering MFF, or acceptance of a prize or award, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law.

36. The VMC, the State, and Swinburne University are not responsible for covering any costs associated with the entrant entering the MFF, receiving a prize or travelling to the MFF.

Privacy and Collection Notice
38. The information is used to assess films, contact filmmakers, administer any licences granted under these conditions and promote the MFF. The VMC will refer this information to Swinburne University and possibly other government departments. Submitting an entry constitutes your consent. You can request access to, corrections of and withdrawal of any information provided in your submission by emailing events@vmc.vic.gov.au
39. The information you provide in your entry will be held by the VMC, the State and Swinburne University and managed per the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 and the Public Records Act 1973. For more information on the VMC's handling of personal information, please refer to the privacy page: https://www.multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au/privacy-vicgovau
40. The VMC, the State and Swinburne University may disclose this information to third parties relevant to the conduct of the MFF, including but not limited to judges, sponsors, and prize and certificate suppliers.

Photographing, Filming and Recording at MFF Events
41. This notice applies to photographs, videos, or recordings of filmmakers (including those under the age of 18) collected, used, or disclosed by the VMC, the State, and Swinburne University as part of MFF in-person and online events.

Privacy for Image Use
42. Photographs, video and recordings of a person that may identify the person may constitute a collection of ‘personal information’ under Victorian privacy law. This means that any images of entrants (including those under 18 years) taken during the MFF may constitute a collection of your and your child’s personal information.

This personal information will be held by the VMC, the State and Swinburne University and managed in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 and the Public Records Act 1973. For more information on the VMC's handling of personal information, please refer to the VMC’s privacy page.

Ownership and Reproduction
43. The VMC will wholly own the copyright of the images. This means that the VMC may use the images in the ways described in this notice without notifying, acknowledging or compensating entrants.

Unless you tell us otherwise via the email below, photographs, videos or recordings of entrants may be used by the VMC, the State and Swinburne University in formats that are accessible to the public, including social media channels (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn), websites and any other publications promoting the MFF. Entrants under the age of 18 will be identified by first name only (or not named at all).
44. The VMC, the State, and Swinburne University understand that individuals, parents and guardians have the right to withdraw permission for us to use photographs, video or recordings of themselves and/or their child.
45. If you have read this notice and are comfortable with the VMC using photos, video or recordings as described above, you do not need to take any further action.
46. If you do not want images of you and/or your child to be collected or used by the VMC, the State or Swinburne University, please email the VMC at contact@vmc.vic.gov.au
47. If you do not understand these Terms or would like to talk about any concerns, please email the VMC at contact@vmc.vic.gov.au

By submitting a film, you confirm that you have read and agree to these Terms and Conditions.