Finalists in the 2026 CinefestOZ Short Film Competition were announced today ahead of the Short Film Awards, which will be held Thursday 3 September in Busselton, Western Australia, as part of Australia’s largest destination film festival (28 August to 6 September).
Recognising exceptional storytelling and emerging talent in the short filmmaking sector, 22 films are in the running for awards across seven categories. These finalists were drawn from more than 300 entries received from filmmakers across Australia, a 25% increase on 2025.
CinefestOZ CEO Cassandra Jordan said the growth in entries reflected the creativity and diversity of Australia’s short filmmaking community.
“We’re thrilled there’s so many filmmakers working and sharing their stories and, in response to the huge number of entries, we’ve expanded our popular Short Film Sets program and will be screening more than 60 short films across the ten-day Festival.
“Many of our short filmmakers are also travelling to CinefestOZ, with some participating in Q&As at the end of each Short Film Set, so we are expecting lots of interaction and conversation at these events as well as at the Short Film Awards.”
Cash prizes are up for grabs in three of the seven categories including Best Short Film ($5000), Best Indigenous Short Film ($2500) and the Cinewest Best WA Short Film ($2500) and the winners will be selected by a Jury of film industry professionals.
G.O.A.T
The Nominees for CinefestOZ 2025 Short Film are:
Mr Adidos (NSW) A dark rom-com about two strangers who feel discarded, together letting go of their shame and overcoming perfectionism through a tender, surreal encounter. Written and directed by Henry Stone, produced by Georgia Hoe and Henry Stone, and starring Nash Edgerton and Eloise Eftos.
Mates (NSW) Two old friends reunite in an inner west Sydney terrace, but something simmers beneath the surface. What does it truly mean to be ‘mates’? Directed by Rory Pearson, written by Rory Pearson and Marcus Aldred-Traynor, produced by Marcus Aldred-Traynor and starring Marcus Alfred-Traynor and Roy Molloy.
The Happy Place (VIC) Elsie, a mother with a 3-year-old son, watches a late-night talk show ‘The Happy Place’ to escape the horrors of her home. As her husband escalates his behaviour, Elsie must decide whether to leave, or to stay. Directed by Harrison Rook, written by Harrison Rook and Tea Van de Burgt and starring Olivia Fildes and Liam Mollica.
The Worm (NSW) Kieran is convinced a telepathic earthworm is manipulating him into making bad choices in his life. His concerned family decide to stage an intervention. The result? An amusingly bizarre showdown between reason, belief and one very unlucky invertebrate. Directed by Tom Noakes, written by Will Goodfellow and starring Joe Bird, Heather Mitchell and Susie Porter.
Mates
The Nominees for the following five categories are:
CineWest Best WA Film Good Luck Chelsea Wild Mermaids The Love Nub GOAT
Best Indigenous Manutji (Catching Eyes) False Narrative G.O.A.T See-Saw
Best Director Harrison Rook The Happy Place Cameron Zayec The Brutal Alchemy Water Rory Pearson Mates Kylie Aoibheann The Dysphoria
Best Lead Actor Will McDonald Boy on Fire Contessa Treffone The Worm Olivia Fildes The Happy Place Marcus Aldred-Traynor Mates
Best Screenwriting Will Goodfellow The Worm Jake James Whitford Squatters Damon Herriman Candy Bar Alies Sluiter Boy on Fire Adam Marks Showtime Baby
In partnership with North Metro Tafe the Best Animated Short Film will also be announced at the Awards.
The Short Film Awards will be held on Thursday 3 September at 7.30pm at Reading Cinemas, Busselton.
Enjoy a sparkling event with a welcome drink and mingle with the creators before discovering the winners. Ahead of the Awards there is a FREE screening of the Short Film Finalists from 6.30pm. Make sure to reserve your tickets online.
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