Supporting aspiring and emerging independent filmmakers in Western Australia.
Now in its fifth year, Rock The Boat Film Festival has brought together storytellers of all ages and backgrounds — some seasoned filmmakers, some just beginning their creative journeys, and others with powerful messages who value this platform to share their stories. Each short film screened has embodied the essence of this festival: stories that challenge, inspire, and connect us.
Regardless of age, ability, or the equipment you use, your story can leave just as much of an impact on the audience as anything else on the silver screen. More than ever, we want the stories you tell to bring communities closer together.
After the screenings, the festival season will conclude with an Awards Night to celebrate all finalists and winners. Filmmakers will have the opportunity to walk the red carpet, interact with fellow storytellers and audience members, and to connect with community members and representatives of local organisations.
For 2026, Rock The Boat Film Festival is accepting entries filmed anywhere in Western Australia, and is collaborating with Yellowstone International Film Festival to give filmmakers the chance to be part of an International Short Film Exchange.
Submissions Open 31st March and close 31st July!
Early bird entries and expressions of interest to enter are greatly appreciated. :)
In 2026, there are FOUR MAIN CATEGORIES and numerous Awards of Recognition.
Each winner of a MAIN CATEGORY will receive the title, a trophy and a prize of $1,000!
All finalists and winners of main categories and Awards of Recognition will be presented at our red carpet Gala Awards Night, which is held a few weeks after all public cinema screenings, and which concludes the festival season.
The MAIN CATEGORIES for 2026 are:
• OPEN Short Film – Under 13 minutes
• OPEN Documentary – Under 7 minutes
• STUDENT Short Film* – Under 7 minutes
• FIRST NATIONS STORIES** – Under 7 minutes
AWARDS:
• Best Cinematography
• Best Comedy
• Best Editing
• Best Original Soundtrack
• Best Performance
• Best Production Design
• Best School Project
• Best Student Documentary (Primary or Secondary)
• Best Super Short Film (Under 60 seconds)
• Best Tertiary Student Short Film
• Best Tertiary Student Documentary
• Best Visual Effects
• Best Open Short Film – Under 13 minutes ($1,000 1st place prize)
• Best Open Documentary – Under 7 minutes ($1,000 1st place prize)
• Best Student Short Film – Under 7 minutes ($1,000 1st place prize)
• Best First Nations Story – Under 7 minutes ($1,000 1st place prize)
• People's Choice Award (one winner voted by the audience from each session)
• Rising Star Award
*Only for primary or secondary students, or tertiary students under 18; students who submit documentaries are allowed to enter either this category or OPEN Documentary.
** To enter short films into the "FIRST NATIONS STORIES" category, all directors and writers attached to the project must be First Nations people from Australia or the Torres Strait Islands who have filmed this project exclusively in Western Australia.
