WELCOME TO 'WHAT THE FILM' FESTIVAL
A Festival by Independent Filmmakers for Independent Filmmakers
OUR FESTIVAL ENTRANCE CATEGORIES
All entries via Film Freeway
ALL FILMS MUST HAVE BEEN MADE WITHIN THE PAST 24 MONTHS
YOUNGEST STARS - 12 to 16 years
This category is for all those young filmmakers who have perhaps thought about making a film, but never got around to doing it (or maybe you have), let alone entering a festival. Young people have great imaginations and we want to make sure that this category supports them!
This is open to any genre (just keep it clean) of film up to 7 minutes in length. We can't wait to see what our young film makers create!
Films entered into this category are automatically eligible for the Emerging Filmmaker Award.
YOUNG PERSON - Under 18 years
Our next generation of filmmakers! We know you've got some great ideas and we want to see them! Tell the story with courage, vision and with a sense of adventure. We want you to show the community what's important to you.
Open to any genre (keep it clean) up to 7 minutes in length. Films entered into this category are automatically eligible for the Emerging Filmmaker Award.
STUDENT FILM
Films of any genre up to 7 minutes in length made by film students of any age. Share your vision, share your passion. Bring some depth to your story, wow the audience! Films entered into this category are automatically eligible for the Emerging Filmmaker Award.
OPEN FEMALE
Our female categories are very important to us. We want you to have the freedom to express your vision through film, and the opportunity to have that film officially selected and screened in front of an audience. Make a film based on any genre up to 7 minutes in length and wow our judges . Share your vision, share your passion.
Films entered into this category are automatically eligible for the the Best Female Film Maker Award as well as additional awards (listed below).
DOCUMENTARY
Documentary no longer than 10 minutes. Any subject!
INAUGURAL FILMMAKERS
​For all our filmmakers who entered our 2023 Inaugural Film Festival, we want to reward you all for taking a punt on our festival in its first year. So, if you're one of those fantastic filmmakers, make sure you enter into this category! We want it short and sharp, so anything up to three minutes! Get those creative juices flowing and let's see some of your great short (really short) films on the big screen! Conditions Must have been an entrant in the 2023 WTF Film Festival. Films no longer than 3 minutes. Nil entrance fee
MUSIC VIDEO
Music Video, any genre no longer than five minutes.
UNIQUELY CANBERRA DISTRICT
This is not just a Canberra District category. It's a unique Canberra and Canberra District category! What do we mean? We want you to tell stories that are uniquely Canberra or Canberra District, filmed here, and using only Canberra and Canberra District cast and crew. We don't care what the genre is. We don't care what the story is. Just show us lots of our fabulous region in your film!
We define our immediate district as anything out to the towns of Yass, Goulburn, Braidwood , Jindabyne, Tumburumba and Tumut. If you're not sure, just send us an email.
Films no longer than 10 minutes in length, any genre. Films entered into this category are automatically considered for additional awards (highlighted below).
OPEN MINI (UP TO 10 MINS)
Open to any filmmaker who wants to tell their story in under 7 minutes! Any genre of film, our judges will look for films that tell a story through the filmmakers eyes, films that have the stamp of the directors vision. We want to see the passion in your film making. Challenge us and feel free to push the boundaries. Don't let past festival failures hold you back. Stop worrying about the equipment you don't have, use the equipment you do have and tell the story, tell the story well!
Films entered into this category are automatically considered for additional awards (highlighted below).
OPEN SHORT (UP TO 20 MINS)
Open to any filmmaker who wants to tell their story in under 20 minutes! Any genre, our judges will look for films that tell a story from the filmmakers eyes, films that have the stamp of the directors vision. We want to see the passion in your film making, challenge us, and feel free to push the boundaries. Don't let past festival failures hold you back. Stop worrying about the equipment you don't have, use the equipment you do have and tell the story, tell the story well!
Films entered into this category are automatically considered for additional awards (highlighted below).
UNIQUELY CANBERRA DISTRICT DOCUMENTARY
It's a unique Canberra and Canberra District category! What do we mean? We want you to make a documentary that tells a story that is uniquely Canberra or Canberra District. Filmed here, and using only Canberra and Canberra District cast and crew. Just show us lots of our fabulous region in your film!
We define our immediate district as anything out to the towns of Yass, Goulburn, Braidwood , Jindabyne, Tumburumba and Tumut. If you're not sure, just send us an email.
Films no longer than 10 minutes in length, any genre. Films entered into this category are automatically considered for additional awards (highlighted below).
STAGE TO SCREEN
This category is for those independent stage plays where you might be thinking, "I'd love to adapt this to the screen'. Well, this is your chance and we would love to see the result! Adapt any stage play (as long as it was an independent production and you have the rights) to film and enter into this new category. This category is a rarity in film festivals, but we wanted to make sure we had an inclusive festival and the opportunity for those theatre performers to showcase their work on the big screen! Looking forward to seeing the entries!
SCI-FI
Our sci-fi category is open to interpretation. Whether it be sci-fi, or your own take on the title. Open to film makers in Australia, or internationally. Films not to exceed 10 minutes in length.
Films in this category are eligible for the Spaced Out Award.
HORROR
Whether it's straight out horror, terror, or schlock, we want to see it! We especially love those films produced using a limited budget, allowing the filmmaker to be innovative in the way the horror is presented. We want you to have freedom, be free, explore and create within the horror genre (but keep it under 10 minutes)! Open to film makers anywhere in Australia, and internationally.
Films in this category are eligible for the Spaced Out Award.
ADDITIONAL AWARDS
All films entered automatically qualify for consideration of the following awards.
PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD
Best Actor Under 18 Years
Best Actress Under 18 Years
Best Actor Open
Best Actress Open
Best Director
Best Cinematography
Emerging Filmmaker Award (youth categories only)
BEST IN FESTIVAL ($500 prize)
ENTER NOW!
