Canberra Short Film Festival

The National category is for any film from Australia in any genre that runs under 20 minutes. An independent judging panel appointed by CSFF will choose the most interesting, or most touching, or the most exciting films produced in the past 18 months. We encourage high quality films with even shorter running times. There is a cash prize a trophy and laurel for the Best Film. This category includes certificates and laurels for craft awards in; Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Directing, Best Screenplay, Best Sound/Score and Best Acting.

The International category is for any film made outside Australia that runs under 20 minutes. An independent judging panel will select the films with the highest production quality, the best stories, and the best look into another culture that have been produced in the past 18 months. There is a cash prize a trophy and laurel for the Best Film. This category includes certificates and laurels for craft awards in; Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Directing, Best Screenplay, Best Sound/Score and Best Acting.

The Canberra category is designed for local film makers. It may include any film made by a team with clear Canberran connections such as people who grew up here, live here or are studying here. lt can also include films made here or which are about Canberra. It must also be a film that runs under 20 minutes. The CSFF is looking for the best storytelling, and best production quality made in the past 18 months. This category awards includes prizes to the value of over $1000. Trophies and laurels are also awarded for Best Film and certificates, laurels and prizes are also awarded for craft areas including; awards for Best Director, Best Cinematographer, Best Screenplay, Best Sound/Score, Best Editing and Best Acting

The Documentary category is open to any Documentary produced anywhere in the world that runs under 20 minutes, we like short sharp story telling. We are seeking documentaries that use the medium to enhance the themes and topics being investigated. An independent judging panel selected by CSFF will select the most intriguing stories produced in the past 18 months. We are especially interested in innovative approaches to this important category. A package of prizes, trophy and laurel is awarded to the Best film and certificates and laurels to Runners Up.

The Animation category is designed for any kind of animated work whether it be hand drawn, claymation or computer generated. We are looking for strong technical work, innovative use of the animation and of course a good story which moves an audience. We would expect animated shorts to be less than 10 minutes in length and they may well be a lot shorter than that. We are more interested in high quality work which is short and sharp than work which is overly long. This category has a prize package valued at $500, we award a trophy and laurels for Best Animation and certificates and laurels for Runners Up.

The Music Video category is open to music videos from anywhere in the world. We are seeking, innovative, thought provoking and visually interesting productions that add value and entertainment to the song they are based around. Best Music Video receives a prize valued at $300, a trophy and laurel. Runners Up receive certificates and laurels.

The Schools and Under 18s category is for films made by student filmmakers or teams who are under 18. We encourage short, sharp, visual storytelling and bold personal visions. Running time cannot be more than 10 mins - but (hint) our judges are looking for visually strong work that can blow them away! So 3-5 minutes of strong, stylish storytelling is recommended. There is a prize package valued at $250 for Best Film as well as Trophy and laurels. Runners Up will receive certificates and laurels.

First Nations Stories from around the world. This category is designed for First Nation's film makers and their teams or can include films with clear and strong First Nation's themes. We welcome First nations film makers from around Australia and from around the world. We are seeking stories made by indigenous people, about indigenous people and their culture(s). We also welcome films that are concerned with First Nation themes ands issues. Films must be no longer than 20 minutes. A package of prizes valued at $1000 is awarded. A trophy and laurel for Best Film is awarded and Runners Up receive certificates and laurels.

The 2 Minute Film category is designed to be experimental, innovative, surprising, quick, sharp and quirky. We encourage first time film makers as well as experienced practitioners to tell a story in 2 minutes or less. This category allows films made on phones, tablets and DSLR cameras to be showcased. We value artistic style, good story telling, the ability to move an audience and clever use of non traditional film making technology.