🎬 PORT SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL 2025
The Coolest Short Film Festival in the Tropics – and now an AACTA Awards Qualifier

📅 OCTOBER 18, 2025 | 🌴 PORT DOUGLAS, AUSTRALIA
🌏 Open to Filmmakers Worldwide
💰 Over $15,000 AUD in Cash & Prizes

⚡NEW FOR 2025: Finalists are now eligible for consideration in the AACTA Best Short Film Award!

We’ve partnered with the Australian Academy of Cinema & Television Arts (AACTA) to give finalists discounted entry into the AACTA Awards and put their work on a national stage.

Plus, we’re proud to present a brand new award:
🏆 Best Queensland Short Film – Presented by AACTA
Open to short films shot in Queensland with at least two Queensland-based key creatives.

MAIN PRIZES INCLUDE:
🎞️ Best Open Film – $5,000 AUD - open to worldwide
🎥 Best Queensland Short Film – $250 AUD + AACTA Package (value TBA)
🎧 Music Video Award – $1,000 AUD
🎬 Port Shorts Jury Prize – $750 AUD
📍 Local Award – $500 AUD
🎟️ Audience Choice Award – $500 AUD

What’s Port Shorts All About?
It’s more than a film festival—it’s a vibe. Held under the stars in Rex Smeal Park, with the Coral Sea breeze, towering palm trees, and the Daintree Rainforest as your backdrop, Port Shorts is Australia’s most picturesque and feel-good film event.

Past attendees describe it as “an absolute blast”, “beautifully community-driven”, and “the most scenic festival in the world.”

We’re proud to be supported by:
🎭 Stephen Curry – Actor, Ambassador & Judge
🎬 Matt Hearn – Executive Producer (Wolf Creek)
🌟 Rarriwuy Hick – Australian Actress, dancer, performer
🎓 Ivan Vukusic – AACTA Awards & Industry Development Manager

Whether you’re a first-time filmmaker or a festival regular, Port Shorts is your chance to be seen, celebrated, and connected.

Submit now and shoot for the stars.

Awards & Prizes

PORT SHORTS OPEN FILMMAKER AWARD
With $5,000 AUD up for grabs, the only restriction on films entered for the Port Shorts Open Filmmaker Awards is a maximum film length of fifteen (15) minutes, including titles and credits.
Any genre
Open to worldwide
PRIZE: $5,000 AUD cash

PORT SHORTS MUSIC VIDEO AWARD
You must gain permission from all relevant parties involved with or responsible for the creation of the song and music video.
Open to worldwide
PRIZE: $1,000 AUD cash

PORT SHORTS LOCAL FILMMAKER AWARD
Only residents of the Douglas Shire, Cairns Regional Shire, Mareeba Shire, Tablelands Shire, Wujal Wujal and Cook Shire are eligible to enter the Port Shorts Local Filmmakers Awards.
Maximum film length is four (4) minutes, including titles and credits.
Any genre
PRIZE: $500 AUD cash

ADDITIONAL PRIZES AWARDED:

BEST QUEENSLAND FILM - $250 AUD cash + AACTA Package (value TBA)
PORT SHORTS JURY AWARD - $750 AUD cash
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD - $500 AUD cash

Rules & Terms

TERMS & CONDITIONS – PORT SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL, 2025

PORT SHORTS 2025 ENTRY GUIDELINES

Port Shorts is open to everyone, from first-time filmmakers to seasoned professionals.
Films must have been completed after 1 February 2024.

Films must be eligible for one or more of the following categories:
Port Shorts Open Filmmaker Award
Port Shorts Music Video Award
Port Shorts Local Filmmaker Award

SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY

All entries must be submitted online at FilmFreeway (www.filmfreeway.com). Submissions must be in .MP4 or .MOV formats. Please ensure your films are supplied with a stereo mix only and not a Dolby 5.1 mix) Contact us at info@portshorts.com if you have any questions.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

By entering the Port Shorts International Film Festival, you agree to the following:

Ownership of Copyright: By submitting your film, you acknowledge that you are the sole owner or have secured all necessary permissions for the content and copyright of your submission. Port Shorts Inc. does not claim ownership of your film but reserves the right to use your submission as outlined in these terms and conditions.

Promotional Use: You grant Port Shorts Inc. a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use stills and up to 20 seconds of footage from your film for promotional purposes related to the festival.

Selection Confirmation: If your film is selected for the Open Competition, you will be sent a confirmation letter by 9 September 2025. We ask that you submit a 15-second video introducing yourself to the Port Shorts audience (creativity encouraged).

High-Resolution Submissions: If selected, a high-resolution version must be available for download through FilmFreeway (e.g., through the interface or a Vimeo link).

Screening Rights: Port Shorts Inc, a not-for-profit organisation, may exhibit your film in full at the 2025 Port Shorts Film Festival and associated events conducted by Port Shorts Inc.

Virtual Festival: By submitting your film, you consent to its screening on the Port Shorts Virtual Festival platform. This event is accessed via login, ensuring your film will not be publicly screened online. Geo-blocking of films is available. Selected films may also feature in "The Best of the Rest" segment exclusive to the Virtual Festival.

ELIGIBILITY

Entries for the Local Filmmaker Awards must provide evidence of eligibility if requested.

COPYRIGHT AND LIABILITY

Copyright Confirmation: By entering the Port Shorts Film Festival, you confirm that your submission does not infringe on the rights, including copyright, of any third party. Any liability for copyright infringement rests solely with the entrant.

Liability Disclaimer: Port Shorts Inc. will take all reasonable precautions to prevent unauthorised use or distribution of your film; however, the organisation is not liable for any unauthorised acts by third parties.

DATA PRIVACY

Entrant Data: Entrant data provided during submission will be used solely for communication and festival purposes and will be protected according to applicable data privacy regulations.

INDEMNITY

The filmmaker and their agents agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Port Shorts Inc., the judges, and sponsors – individually and collectively – from any claims, losses, damages, demands, costs, and liabilities relating to films submitted to the festival.


ADDITIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

Publicity Obligations: Winning or selected filmmakers may be requested to participate in media interviews or promotional activities for the festival.

Disqualification Clause: Port Shorts Inc. reserves the right to disqualify any film if it is found to have violated the terms and conditions or festival guidelines, even after acceptance.

Rights Retention: Filmmakers retain all rights to their film, excluding the promotional rights granted to Port Shorts Inc. as stated above.

WAIVER CODES

Waiver codes will not be issued for any category of the Port Shorts Film Festival to maintain fairness for all entrants.

THE FESTIVAL

Port Shorts Inc. reserves the final decision on whether to exhibit a submitted film.
Submission of a film and payment of the entry fee do not guarantee acceptance into the festival.

All films will be judged, and some may not be selected for screening. Entry fees are non-refundable, and judges' decisions are final.

Ready to enter? Let’s go!

28 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jannah Dryden

    I've always loved laying on the grass under the stars at Port Shorts and feasting on the top notch program (and the delicious food vans) This year we were also honoured to have our inclusive short comedy film Chesters screened. Port Shorts and the rock star team that make it happen, go from strength to strength every year. Rad festival, rad location and well worth the gorgeous drive up the coast.

    December 2024
    Helpful
  • Jack Hinz

    There is no better place to run a film festival. So picturesque. It was such an honour for my film, Foundation, to win the Youth Prize. Cheers

    November 2024
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  • Reid McGowan

    Alison knows how to run a festie

    October 2024
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  • Timothy Hay

    Such an amazing event to be part of! thank you for showing our film and giving us the airtime.

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • Ken Nain

    The port shorts film Festival was such a great experience! Absolute pleasure to be a part of it!

    October 2023
    Helpful