SHORT+SWEET ILLAWARRA FILM FESTIVAL

Submission Fees

All submission fees are in Australian Dollers ($ AUD)

ILLAWARRA FILMS 

Standard: $20  (Late Deadline: $30)

Student/FilmFreeway Gold Members: $15 (Late Deadline: $25)

AUSTRALIAN FILMS 

Standard: $25  (Late Deadline: $35)

Student/FilmFreeway Gold Members: $20 (Late Deadline: $30)

INTERNATIONAL FILMS 

Standard: $30  (Late Deadline: $40)

Student/FilmFreeway Gold Members: $25 (Late Deadline: $35)

Films selected for our Gala Final screening will recieve one complimentary ticket to the screening subject to seating availability.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES

Standard Submission Deadline: 31 MAY 2023

Late Deadline (Final): 30 JUNE 2023

By entering your film to Short+Sweet Film Festival Illawarra, you are agreeing to the following:

1. The running time of my film is 10 minutes or less (inclusive of credits). Films longer than 10 minutes will not be considered, and entry fee will be forfeited.

2. I am the creator of the Film and I give permission for the film to be presented at any Short+Sweet festival or event for which it is eligible. If I am not the (sole) creator of the film, I warrant that I have obtained all necessary permissions of writers, originators or contributors. 

3. Should my film be selected for a S+S Festival or event, I understand I will receive no royalties or other payment for any screenings, live or virtual, but may be eligible for awards and professional development opportunities. 

4. I understand that my film will be assessed by a selection committee and that no communication will be entered into by S+S regarding this process. The selection decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 

5. I give S+S the right to screen/record/photograph my film for archival, marketing and publicity purposes (including in unpaid public forums such as YouTube, Vimeo or similar).

6. A film which has been publicly screened in the host city of any S+S Festival is still eligible for entry and consideration in any of our S+S Festivals and Cities. 

7. All plays which have been adapted into films must have the permission of the playwright. 

8. I understand copyright material cannot be used unless I have documentation to prove legal authorisation from the musician, artist, writer or record label. 

9. I may also be required to provide Actor Release Forms to be signed by the people appearing in the film. 

10. I understand that films in any language are eligible, but must be subtitled in English. 

11. The festival is open to filmmakers of all ages and levels of experience. 

12. All content submitted must be in accordance with the law and any perceived illegal activity will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

13. I understand that if my film is selected as a finalist, I will be required to provide Short+Sweet with the highest quality of recording of the film so that it can be screened. 

14. No restrictions on the device(s) used to record or create video and audio.

15. No restrictions on software used to create, edit or enhance video and audio. 

16. The festival is open to filmmakers of all ages and levels of experience. 

17. Entry to Short+Sweet Film Illawarra is free for local artists.  The cost of entry to the international festival is US$20 for international submissions and US$13 for Australian submissions outside the Illawarra/South Coast. 

Privacy Statement

The personal information provided by you will only be used by us for Short+Sweet Festivals, competitions and related activities, and to communicate with you about those activities. You can opt out of these at any time by responding to any emails received with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line or the body of an email. 

FESTIVAL AWARDS

Our Film Festival has 6 Major Awards presented at the end of the Gala Final Screening. These are Best Film, People's Choice Award, Best Illawarra Film, Best Australian Film, Best International Film and the Festival Director's Award.

JUDGES CHOICE

Our judges will vote for films at the live screening, and will issue the following awards:

* BEST FILM

* Best Illawarra Film

* Best Australian Film

* Best International Film

PEOPLES CHOICE WINNER

Our audience attending the event vote for their top three films across (all three film groups), ranked from 1st to 3rd preference. A film receiving a first place vote will be given 3 points, with 2nd preference receiving 2 points, and 3rd place receiving 1 point. Votes are tallied and the film with the highest votes will be crowned the PEOPLES CHOICE WINNING FILM of 2023.

FESTIVAL DIRECTOR AWARD

Our Festival Director will also select one film for the Festival Director's Pick to the most outstanding film that did not win any categories in the Judges or Audience voting. It may be awarded to a film for outstanding merit, or as an encouragement award to recognise the work done by exceptional filmmakers.

FILM PROGRESSION

It should be noted that while our festival is not rich with prizemoney, it does offer a wonderful opportunity for progression. While our winning films are often selected by other Short+Sweet Festivals such as Short+Sweet Hollywood, Sydney, Essex and many more - our winning films will be screened in the following locations:

BEST FILM & PEOPLES CHOICE WINNER

Will be shown in the International Film Section at the Gala Final of Short+Sweet Manila

BEST ILLAWARRA & AUSTRALIAN FILM

Will be shown in the International group at Short+Sweet Cebu and Manila (Semi-Finals)

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM

Will be shown in the International group at Short+Sweet Cebu and Manila (Semi-Finals) unless the winner is a Filipino filmmaker, in which case it will be shown in the Filipino Manila or Cebuano group.

SHORT+SWEET ILLAWARRA FILM FESTIVAL

WILDCARD FINALS  |  2 PM SUNDAY 6 AUGUST

SHORT+SWEET MANILA FILM FESTIVAL 

(Advanced Screening)  |  4:30 PM SUNDAY 6 AUGUST

SHORT+SWEET ILLAWARRA FILM FESTIVAL

FINALS  |  4:30 PM SUNDAY 27 AUGUST

All screenings at the Bridge Street Theatre, Coniston