PORT SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL 2022
The coolest film festival in the heart of the tropics.

Over $15,000 in cash & prizes.

BEST OPEN FILM - $5000 AUD

A platform to showcase the best short films from around the globe with some of Australia’s most accomplished film exponents sharing their knowledge with our filmmakers – the Port Shorts Film Festival is a feast for the filmmaking senses.

With a prize pool worth more than $15,000 up for grabs, the Port Shorts Film Festival shines the spotlight on the imagination of Australia’s most creative minds, with a support network geared to stimulate the next generation of filmmakers.

Acclaimed Australian actor Stephen Curry, Wolf Creek and Rogue Executive Producer Matt Hearn and Australian Film Industry Awards nominated screenwriter Kier Shorey will be with emerging filmmakers every step of the journey as official ambassadors, mentors and judges of the Port Shorts Film Festival.

We want to help the best emerging filmmakers, in Australia and around the world, to achieve their potential and celebrate their work.

See you in Port Douglas October 2022

Awards & Prizes

PORT SHORTS OPEN FILMMAKERS AWARD

With the first prize of $5,000 AUD up for grabs, the only restriction on films entered for the Port Shorts Open Filmmakers Awards is a maximum film length of ten (10) 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 DRONE AWARD
Maximum Film Length 5 minutes
50% of the film must feature Drone Footage
Open to worldwide
PRIZE: $1,000 AUD cash

PORT SHORTS YOUNG FILMMAKERS AWARD - 18 and under at the time of screening.
Maximum film length four minutes.
Any genre
PRIZE: Professional equipment valued at approx. $3,500 AUD

PORT SHORTS JUNIOR AWARD
Filmmakers are eligible if they are aged up to 13 years at the time of screening and are living in Australia.
Maximum length is 2 minutes.
Any genre
PRIZE: professional equipment valued at approx $750 AUD

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

ADDITIONAL PRIZES AWARDED: (cash and/or professional equipment)

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
PORT SHORTS JURY PRIZE

Rules & Terms

TERMS & CONDITIONS – PORT SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL, 2022

PORT SHORTS 2022 ENTRY GUIDELINES
• Port Shorts is open to everyone, from the first time filmmaker to the seasoned
professional
• Films must have been completed after Feb 1st, 2020
• Films must be eligible for one of the following categories:

Port Shorts Open Filmmakers Award
Port Shorts Music Video Award
Port Shorts Drone Award
Port Shorts Young Filmmakers Award
Port Shorts Local Video
Port Shorts Junior

SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY
* All entries must be submitted online at FilmFreeway (www.filmfreeway.com). We prefer submissions to be .MP4 or .MOV formats, but please contact us at info@portshorts.com if you have any questions.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By entering the Port Shorts Film Festival, you agree that Port Shorts Inc. may use screen shots and up to 20 seconds of footage from your film for any marketing and publicity purposes.

If your film is selected for the Open Competition you will be sent a letter of confirmation by the 9th September 2022 and we ask that you submit a video introducing yourself to the Port Shorts audience - up to 15 seconds (be as creative as you wish).

If your film is selected for the competition, a high-resolution version needs to be available for download through FilmFreeway (e.g. through the interface or a Vimeo link).
You agree that Port Shorts Inc., a not-for-profit organisation, may exhibit the film in total at the 2022 Port Shorts Film Festival and festival events.

If your short film is selected as a finalist at the 2022 Port Shorts Film Festival: after two years, Port Shorts Inc. has the right to reproduce the film in part or in total for inclusion on the Port Shorts website, YouTube Channel, Vimeo Channel or for any other promotional purposes.

Filmmakers are allowed to submit more than one film for the Festival provided that each film is submitted separately and meets the Festival guidelines. Films entered into previous Port Shorts Film Festival events are not eligible.

Winning filmmakers give permission to Port Shorts Inc. to show their film privately to potential sponsors.

By entering the Port Shorts Film Festival you are confirming that you have obtained all the necessary permissions to enter the film and that the film does not infringe the rights, including the copyright of any third party. By entering, you release Port Shorts Inc. from any claim and all responsibilities relating to or arising from its use of the film.

ELIGIBILITY
Entries for the Young Filmmaker Awards, and Local Filmmaker Awards must provide evidence of eligibility:

Young filmmakers. All major roles – i.e. the Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor must all be 18 years or under at the time of screening.

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

Waiver Codes
Please note we do not issue waiver codes for any category of the Port Shorts Film Festival. This is to keep the competition fair for all.

The Festival
By entering Port Shorts Film Festival, you agree that Port Shorts Inc. have the final say to exhibit your film at the Port Shorts Film Festival or not. By submitting your film and entry fee, it does not guarantee acceptance of your film into the Port Shorts Film Festival. You also agree that you are aware that all films received will be judged and that some films may not be selected to be shown at the festival. You also understand that the entry fee for the festival is non-refundable and the judges’ decisions are final.

Ready to enter? Let’s go!
18 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Poppy van Oorde-Grainger

    Such a great festival! Thanks for having us Port Shorts!

    May 2022
    Helpful
  • Frederic Rabbaud

    Thanks a lot for your Festival !
    It was a pleasure to communicate with you.
    See you next year in real we hope.

    November 2021
    Helpful
  • Zak Marrinan

    I was absolutely thrilled to have Animal Work selected by Port Shorts. The festival directors and jury are super supportive and lovely people and have put on the best virtual film festival I've ever seen. I am absolutely honoured to be a part of it.

    October 2021
    Helpful
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words, Zak - so glad you enjoyed our Virtual Festival - we LOVE Animal work :) Hope to see you next year!

  • Ivan Farkas

    Great Festival to be a part of

    November 2019
    Helpful
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Ivan :)

  • Matthew Blyth

    Port Shorts is excellent in every way! A fantastic festival featuring a selection of great films supported by an amazing team of people. For filmmakers, if your work is selected I can't recommend attending enough there are so many great opportunities to learn, network and showcase your work. For the public, this is a not to be missed event: great films great people and so much fun to be had.

    November 2019
    Helpful