by FilmInk Staff
Showdown Shorts, the Sunshine Coast’s feel-good film festival, returns for its second year. The festival invites short film submissions from both adult and student filmmakers.
Eligible participants include filmmakers from the Sunshine Coast and independent filmmakers from Oceania. Entrants are invited to submit short films of up to 10 minutes in the Open and Independent categories, with Next-Gen Student films capped at 7 minutes.
As the Sunny Coast Showdown has expanded to support larger-scale projects, it remains committed to providing opportunities for emerging filmmakers and students to showcase their work. “The connection Showdown Shorts has to the Screen Collective is incredibly valuable,” says 2025 Cadetship graduate Rae Gunn. “It’s a festival that genuinely uplifts and provides resources for its entrants, and with so many younger filmmakers trying to enter the industry, that’s important.”
“Showdown Shorts is a phenomenal opportunity for local film creatives to get their work in front of local audiences and raise their stature within the filmmaking community,” says Showdown Shorts judge Bill Missett. “As a judge, I am consistently impressed with the level of quality I am seeing from both emerging and established local filmmakers. It’s a great chance to get a gauge on the pulse of the community. ”
Recipients of the Sunshine Coast Open and Next-Gen award will win professional camera-kit prizes sponsored by our partner Camera House Maroochydore, while Oceania Independent winners and runner-ups will receive generous cash prizes. “It creates the perfect opportunity to pick up a camera and make something – not just for the joy of the process but a chance to share your film with a captive audience,” says 2025 Showdown Shorts winner Jordan Lawrence. “And you might win an incredible camera too!”
The deadline for Showdown Shorts entries is Monday, 31 August. Successful entrants will be notified on Thursday, 1 October. All entries must be submitted through the industry-standard platform, FilmFreeway, and meet the entry qualifications outlined in the Showdown Shorts Terms and Conditions. This short film festival is community-driven, highlights regional and independent voices, and is committed to fostering the creative talents of Sunshine Coast and Oceania filmmakers. If you have a short film that fits our criteria, submit to Showdown Shorts now.
