by FilmInk Staff
Fantastic Film Festival Australia and Umbrella Entertainment are proud to announce the inaugural Fantastic Film Prize, a landmark initiative celebrating the boldest voices in Australian genre cinema.
With a $10,000 cash prize awarded to the winning feature-length film, this new competition is set to spotlight visionary filmmakers pushing the boundaries of horror, sci-fi, fantasy, action, cult, and the downright unclassifiable.
FFFA are seeking original, completed Australian feature films that dare to thrill, provoke, mesmerise or completely defy expectations.
A curated selection of entries will screen in competition at FFFA 2026, with the Fantastic Film Prize winner chosen by a jury of esteemed industry leaders during the festival.
“Australia has a long history of producing some of the most bold and visionary voices in all of cinema”, said Fantastic Film Festival Australia Artistic Director Hudson Sowada. “We’re thrilled to kick of this epic initiative aiming to bring a new wave of daring Aussie creatives to forefront of the cinematic conversation.”
“Umbrella has always championed fearless and imaginative Australian storytelling, and the Fantastic Film Prize is an extension of that passion” said Umbrella Entertainment General Manager Ari Harrison. “We’re thrilled to partner with Fantastic Film Festival Australia to celebrate Aussie filmmakers and give their innovative voices the platform they deserve.”
Entries open Wednesday 8 October 2025. This initiative is a celebration of fearless storytelling and aims to support the next wave of bold, genre-defying Australian voices.
