What is the Very Short Film Festival (VSFF)?
The Very Short Film Festival (VSFF) is a national short film festival celebrating bold Australian storytelling.
Who can enter?
Anyone who is an Australian resident or citizen can enter — including Australians living overseas.
Does it cost to enter?
Entry to the VSFF Official Competition is free for Australian filmmakers.
Entry fees apply to international submissions only, as outlined on FilmFreeway.
Are there different categories?
VSFF 2026 includes:
Official Competition (2–5 minutes)
– Open Category: 19 years and over
– Junior Category: 18 years and under (or turning 19 while still attending school)
What is the Out-of-Competition category?
The Out-of-Competition category allows selected short films under 5 minutes that do not incorporate the annual Signature. Films may have been produced prior to the announcement of the 2026 Signature and are not required to be a global premiere. These films are not eligible for Official Competition awards, but may be considered for festival screening and programming.
Micro Category (2026)
The Micro Category was introduced for 2026 as a short-form vertical storytelling category.
Following a review of submissions, this category will not proceed as a standalone category for the 2026 festival. Selected films may still be considered for inclusion within the broader VSFF program.
International Submissions
VSFF welcomes international submissions, featuring short films under five minutes from filmmakers worldwide. Selected films may be presented as part of the VSFF program, including screenings at the Premiere Festival Weekend and National Tour. International submissions are curated as part of the festival program and are not part of the Official Competition or eligible for awards.
What genres can I submit?
All genres are welcome — drama, comedy, animation, documentary, experimental, or anything in between.
Do I have to include the Signature?
Each year VSFF sets an Annual Signature that must appear in films entered into the Official Competition. For 2026, the Signature is THREAD. It can be interpreted in any way you like — visually, thematically, through dialogue, or conceptually.
Can the Signature be subtle?
Yes. The Annual Signature can be interpreted in many ways and does not need to dominate your film. It can appear visually, thematically, through dialogue or sound, and may be subtle or bold, as long as it feels right for your story.
When did submissions open and close?
Australian Competition
Entries opened 15 January 2026 and closed 18 March 2026.
International Submissions
Submissions open 1 April 2026 and close 30 April 2026. Submissions are accepted via FilmFreeway.
What format should I supply my film in?
Please submit a high-quality digital file that meets the following specs:
File type: .MP4 (H.264 codec)
Resolution: 1920 × 1080 (16:9 aspect ratio)
Frame rate: 24 fps (preferred for Australian cinema systems)
Audio: Stereo AAC, 48 kHz sample rate
Films may use any artistic aspect ratio (for example 4:3 or 2.39:1/Cinemascope) within the 16:9 frame, provided the final exported file is 16:9 with any black bars included as part of the image.
Your film can be shot on any device or camera — creativity matters more than equipment.
If selected as a finalist, you’ll be asked to provide additional delivery materials for cinema screening. VSFF will provide clear guidance and support at that stage.
How do I submit my film
International submissions are accepted via FilmFreeway.
Filmmakers who entered the Australian Official Competition submitted via the VSFF website entry form.
I’m entering the Australian Official Competition — how do I submit my film via Dropbox?
Upload your film to Dropbox and provide a shareable link via the entry form.
Please ensure:
the link is set to “Anyone with the link can view”
the link works correctly by checking it in an incognito/private browser window
you submit a high-quality MP4 (H.264) viewing copy suitable for judging (do not upload uncompressed master files)
You do not need a paid Dropbox account. You can sign up for a free account at dropbox.com.
Does my film need to fit the exact time limit?
Official Competition films must run between 2 and 5 minutes, including credits.
Does my film need to premiere at VSFF?
For Signature categories, films must not have been publicly screened, broadcast or shared online before the VSFF Premiere Festival Weekend. Screening requirements for other categories may vary and are outlined in the submission guidelines and on FilmFreeway.
Can schools or groups enter?
Students can enter the Junior Category as an individual, class or school group.
Can Junior entrants receive help from adults?
Junior entrants may receive limited support from parents, guardians or teachers — for example, technical guidance or supervision.
The story and creative direction must remain the student’s own.
Who owns my film, and what rights does VSFF have?
You retain full copyright of your film. By submitting, you grant the Very Short Film Festival non-exclusive rights to:
Screen your film at VSFF events and the National Tour
Feature excerpts or stills in official marketing and communications
Share your film on VSFF digital channels
Do I need permission to use music or other copyrighted material in my film?
Yes. You are responsible for clearing all rights for any music, images, footage, sound effects or other copyrighted material used in your film. This includes obtaining permission from rights holders or using properly licensed or royalty-free material. There are many reputable platforms offering music that can be licensed for film use, including Artlist, Epidemic Sound, Musicbed, PremiumBeat, AudioJungle, and public-domain libraries such as FreePD; always check the specific licence terms to ensure the music can be used for festival screenings and public exhibition.
Are there language restrictions?
Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles. The Official Competition is open to Australian citizens and residents. International submissions are accepted separately via FilmFreeway.
Are there any content restrictions?
VSFF welcomes bold and original storytelling, but please use discretion with violence, language or adult themes. The Festival screens to audiences of all ages, so handle sensitive material with care and ensure it serves your story — not shock value.
Can I use AI in my film?
VSFF recognises AI as a creative tool and is open to its use when applied transparently and thoughtfully. The overall creative direction, authorship and storytelling must remain human-led. All use of AI must be clearly disclosed in your submission, including how and where it is used. Entries that consist primarily or entirely of AI-generated content, or where meaningful human authorship cannot be demonstrated, may not be eligible, at the discretion of the Festival.
VSFF reserves the right to assess AI use on a case-by-case basis and to update its approach as creative technologies continue to evolve.
When will filmmakers be notified?
Filmmakers in the Australian Competition will be notified in late April.
Filmmakers in the International category will be notified in early May.
Winners will be revealed live at the National Premiere Event.
How will I know if I’m a finalist?
Finalists will be notified by phone and email.
What prizes are awarded?
Finalists receive national exposure through the Festival Premiere and Tour, plus exclusive industry mentoring opportunities. Winners share in a cash prize pool and receive the handcrafted Dorothy Award. Stay tuned for details on 2026 awards and prizes.
Out-of-Competition and international films are not eligible for Official Competition awards.
Will my film tour or be shown elsewhere?
Selected films will screen at the Premiere and as part of the VSFF National Tour across Australia.
Can I submit my film to other festivals later?
Yes. Once the VSFF Premiere has taken place, you’re welcome to submit your film to other festivals or share it online.
What happens if my film isn’t selected as a finalist?
Even if your film isn’t shortlisted, we encourage you to attend the Festival Premiere and enjoy the screenings — it’s open to the public and a great way to meet other filmmakers. Selected non-finalist films may still be considered for screening or promotion as part of the VSFF Tour, community events or festival communications, including partner communications, at the Festival’s discretion.
Will I receive feedback?
As a small independent festival, we’re unable to offer individual feedback on films at this time.
How do I contact the team?
Email us at info@veryshortfilmfestival.com.au
The Very Short Film Festival is presented by Film Fest Collective Pty Ltd, an independent Australian organisation supporting creative storytelling nationwide.
