The coolest film festival in the heat of the tropics.

BEST OPEN FILM - $5000 AUD

A breathtaking location and platform to showcase some of 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.

Port Shorts organisers will also conduct workshops for youth and adult filmmakers of all experience to provide them with the tools to produce quality short films, documentaries and music videos in the months leading up to the 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 in October 2021!

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
Only music videos for original compositions are eligible.
Open to worldwide
PRIZE: $1,000 AUD cash

PORT SHORTS DRONE AWARD
Maximum Film Length 2 minutes
Must feature Drone Footage
Open to worldwide
PRIZE: $1,000 AUD cash

PORT SHORTS YOUNG FILMMAKERS AWARD - *18 and under*
Maximum film length four minutes
Any genre
PRIZE: Professional equipment valued at approx $4,000 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: $1,000 AUD cash, plus professional equipment valued at approx $1,000 AUD

PORT SHORTS JUNIOR AWARD
Filmmakers must be up to 13 years
Maximum length is 2 minutes
Any genre
PRIZE: professional equipment valued at approx $750 AUD

ADDITIONAL PRIZES AWARDED::

AUDIENCE CHOICE (SATURDAY) & SHOUT OUT (FRIDAY) AWARDS
$500 AUD & $250 AUD

ATOM QLD EMERGING FILMMAKER AWARD
professional equipment valued at $400 AUD

PORT SHORTS JURY PRIZE
TBA

Rules & Terms

TERMS & CONDITIONS – PORT SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL, 2021

PORT SHORTS 2021 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 Local Filmmakers Award
Port Shorts Young Filmmakers Award
Port Shorts Music Video Award
Port Shorts Drone Award

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 7th September 2021 and 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 2021 Port Shorts Film Festival and festival events.

If your short film is selected as a finalist at the 2021 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.
¥ Local Filmmakers must reside in one of the following Local Government Areas: Douglas Shire, Cairns Regional Shire, Mareeba Shire, Tablelands Shire, Wujal Wujal or Cook Shire.
¥ Primary School Challenge filmmakers must be located in Australia

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!
15 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ivan Farkas

    Great Festival to be a part of

    November 2019
    Helpful
    Logo
    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
  • Kenny Foo

    Awesome festival in a beautiful outdoor setting. The event was very well marketed and drew a large crowd on the Open Awards night. Hope to come back again next year!

    November 2019
    Helpful
  • Jane Hampson

    Fantastic people! Beautiful place! Great films! This festival is a gem.

    December 2018
    Helpful
  • Benedict Coen

    This is the second year we have been selected for the Port Shorts. Communication was great, and Elliot always responded to any questions we had. Given that we're in the UK, we couldn't attend the festival, but enjoyed watching all the winners and look forward to entering again next year!

    November 2018
    Helpful