Winner: First place · NIDA Emerging Talent Award: Best Female Actress · Tropfest Runways

Lianne Mackessy
DRAMA

A new mother’s babysitting plans fall through on the morning of an audition for a career-defining role.

Winner: Second place · NIDA Emerging Talent Award: Best Male Actor, Ben Kell Award

Jasper Sharpe
THRILLER

A deep-thinking hospo worker narrates his everyday grind dealing with a relentless boss, until a deranged ex-employee returns, sparking a spiral of chaos.

Third place · Pandora Women's Brilliance Award

Nicky Tyndale-Biscoe
DRAMA

When ‘Buses replace trains’ on December 24, well-heeled G.P. Sam is dumped at a lonely bus exchange in an unknown suburb. Her fading Christmas spirit will be tested tonight...

Winner: Best Cinematography (Sony) · People's Choice Award (CommBank) · Tropfest Runways Award

Benjamin Mathews
ACTION / COMEDY

When Jacob, a man presumed dead, reappears three years after leaping from a bridge claiming to be part of a secret government program, his fiancé Katie must decide whether to believe his wild claims - or get him some help.

Winner: Chery Acceleration Award

Georgina Haig
COMEDY

After the heartbreak of another miscarriage, sculptor Daphne loses the ability to say 'Thank you' and her world begins to crumble. She throws herself into a new work, one that represents her body and her grief. Then, just as the consequences of being a thankless social outcast threaten to completely overwhelm her, her sculpture wins a coveted award. Now Daphne must face a new challenge, one to herself and her art.

Winner: Tropicana Award

Sean Bayles
ANIMATION

Lost, among the sands of time, our protagonist looks for a way out.

Winner: YouTube Wildcard Competition

Taysha McFarland
DRAMA

In 1941, the Japanese Imperial Army advance throughout Malaya, challenging a dignified mother’s beliefs while protecting her young daughter from the horrors that are slowly befalling their country.

Frazier Brockett
COMEDY

Two detectives, One criminal. 20 Guesses, One Turn.

Dimitri Ellerington
DOCO

Somewhere in England brave souls line up to take on this year's fiery chilli crop.

Clare Sladden
COMEDY

When a woman starts to suspect her boyfriend’s ex is faking cancer to win him back, she tries desperately to hold onto the relationship.

Veialu Aila-Unsworth & Sze Lok Ho
COMEDY

A fairytale about three women of colour forced into absurd stereotypes by a magical curse infecting men — “the male gaze” — until one man’s transformation offers a different way of seeing.

Catho D'Souza
THRILLER / HORROR

To cope with the loss of her sister, Avanya impersonates her in an effort to keep her spirit alive, becoming lost in the reality of who she truly is.

Sisi Stringer
DRAMA

George races through a hilarious checklist of phone calls, but the humour collapses when his last conversation reveals the news he’s terrified to share.

Clinton J. Isle
ANIMATION

A private detective follows a trail of “clues” across Sydney, blurring reality and imagination in a playful noir comedy about stories we cling to and the resilience to keep going.

Luke Mayze
DRAMA

A grieving widower, resistant to his late wife's dog, slowly reconnects with the outside world through Tilly's persistent companionship.

Stephen Packer
COMEDY/THRILLER

A desperate horror screenwriter turns to AI for inspiration, only to realise it’s writing him into the role of the victim.