Awards are given in the following categories:

• Best Short Film

• Best Next Gen Short Film

• Best Victorian Short

• Best Victorian Next Gen Short

• Critics’ Choice Award

Additional awards may be added depending on the year and prizes are subject to change.

Submission Criteria

Submission is open to short films (20 mins max duration including credits) and web series that have been completed after January 1, 2020. Note that we can only screen one episode of a web/digital series in venues.

We welcome narrative films, documentaries, animations, music videos, web series, and experimental films. Works-in-progress and feature-length films are not accepted.

In order for a film to be eligible, it must have a woman and/or gender diverse filmmaker in a key creative role (Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor, or Sound Designer/Composer) with priority given to creative teams of women and gender diverse filmmakers.

For entry into the Next Gen category, you must currently be studying an accredited screen, film or media production degree at a public or private university in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, or a wider island nation of Moana Oceania, or have graduated one of these programs in the last 12 months. The film submitted should have been made as a part of your studies.

You must have all the necessary clearances in place for film festival exhibition and by submitting your film, we assume this is case.

Film submission details:

• Films may be submitted via FilmFreeway - https://filmfreeway.com/MelbourneWomeninFilmFestival

• Secure online screener is the preferred method of submission.

• If you have any questions about this application, or would like to submit it in an alternative format, we encourage you to contact us via email at info@mwff.org.au.

• All entries with dialogue not in the English language must be subtitled in English. We also welcome films with audio description and closed captions.

• Fees will not be reimbursed for films not selected for the festival.

• Fees are inclusive of GST.

Award Considerations and Process

Best Short Film and Best Next Gen Short are decided by an external panel of 3 jurists with representation from across the screen industry, screen academia and screen critics. The Shorts Programmer/s will select films screening in competition to be shortlisted and submitted to the Shorts Awards Jury; the shortlist will not be made public.

Best Victorian Short Film and Best Next Gen Short are decided by the MWFF shorts programmers.

The Critics’ Choice award is decided by the MWFF Critics’ Lab mentees.

The Jury’s, programmers’ and Critics’ Lab mentee processes, discussions, and deliberations are strictly confidential, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding their decisions.

The award winners will be announced during the festival at the MWFF Shorts Awards Ceremony.

Award considerations will be given for:

• Narrative storytelling and representation aligned to MWFF’s objectives

• Production value

• Originality

• Technical execution