by FilmInk Staff
Winners of the 2026 CinefestOZ Short Film Awards were announced last night in Busselton as part of Australia’s largest destination film festival running 28 August – 6 September in Western Australia’s beautiful South West.
Hosted by legendary Australian actor and comedian, Pete Rowsthorn, the Short Film Awards recognise exceptional storytelling and talent in the short filmmaking sector of the Australian film industry. Seven winners were chosen from 22 finalists – with more than 300 entries received from filmmakers across Australia. The winners are:
Best Short Film ($5000): MATES (NSW) – Two old friends reunite in an inner west Sydney terrace, but something simmers beneath the surface. What does it truly mean to be ‘mates’? Director: Rory Pearson; Writers: Rory Pearson and Marcus Aldred-Traynor; Producer: Marcus Aldred-Traynor; Cast: Marcus Alfred-Traynor and Roy Molloy.
Best Indigenous Short Film ($2500): MAŋUTJI (CATCHING EYES) (NT) – Set in the Aboriginal community of Yirrkala in Arnhem Land, this love story in language explores how two teens navigate their mutual feelings while maintaining cultural boundaries and kinship. Director/Writer: Siena Mayutu Wurmarri Stubbs; Producer: Libby Collins; Cast: Cindy Rostron and Denzel Dhurrtjiyurrtji Marika.
CineWest Best WA Short Film ($2500): THE LOVE NUB (WA) – A ventriloquist sells her dummy to a mime in a cluttered share-house, where the residents all seem to be searching for something that is impossible to find. Director/Writer/Producer: Cooper Clark; Cast: Dinasha Perera, Lucas Pacheco, Felix Mavro, Lily Slattery, Aileigh Rose-McKee, and Luis Basnett.
Best Directors: HARRISON ROOK and TEA VAN DE BURGH for THE HAPPY PLACE (VIC) – To escape horrors at home, Elsie, a mother with a 3-year-old boy, watches a late-night talk show ‘The Happy Place’. As her husband’s behaviour escalates, Elsie must decide whether to leave, or to stay. Producer: Harrison Rook and Tea Van de Burgh; Writer: Harrison Rook; Cast: Olivia Fildes and Liam Mollica.
Best Performance: MARCUS ALDRED-TRAYNOR in MATES
Best Screenplay: DAMON HERRIMAN for CANDY BAR (NSW). A young girl thinks a man in the candy bar line looks like her dad. Director: Nash Edgerton; Producers: Serena Paull and Nash Edgerton; Cast: Damon Herriman, Andrea Demetriades and Zumi Edgerton.
Best Animation: GOOD LUCK by Cameron McNess.
CinefestOZ CEO Cassandra Jordan said: “2026 was our biggest year yet for the Short Film Program with a phenomenal increase in the number and quality of short films.
”Short filmmaking is where fresh ideas come to life, emerging voices are discovered and powerful stories that may not find a home in longer formats have the opportunity to connect with audiences.
“This year’s program highlighted the remarkable diversity and creativity of Australian filmmaking, spanning thought-provoking social perspectives, distinctive voices and deeply personal stories. The calibre and volume of submissions made selecting this year’s winners an incredibly difficult task but a hugely rewarding one.
“A huge thank you to our Short Film Jury for the time, knowledge and commitment they brought to this year’s awards.
“Congratulations to all the winners and finalists. Your creativity, courage and storytelling have made a lasting impression and we’re delighted to celebrate your stories on the big screen.”
The Short Film Award Winners were selected by an independent jury of industry professionals including: Ingrid Van Den Berghe, Tegan Higginbotham, Claire Van Der Boom, Dario Russo, Tim White, Suzie Worner, Ngaire Pigram, Harvey Zielinski, Kristina Ceyton, and Arlo Cook.
More than 60 short films are screening as part of CinefestOZ Film Festival, with all the winning films showing as part of the Short Film Winners screening, playing this Sunday 6 September at Orana Cinemas, Busselton.
Short Film Prize Jury
Ingrid van den Berghe – A co-founder of Luna Cinemas, Ingrid has been at the heart of the business for more than 32 years. She remains as passionate as ever about independent and arthouse cinema, and about championing films that move audiences, spark conversation and challenge the way we see the world.
Tegan Higginbotham -Tegan is an award-winning comedian, actor, and one of Australia’s most versatile up-and-coming screenwriters. Her first feature, Jones Family Christmas, was released on Stan in November 2023. She is also the head writer of the new Stan Original Series Gnomes which had its world premiere at this year’s Festival.
Claire van der Boom – Silver Logie Award-winning actor Claire van der Boom will be seen later this year in Who the Hell is Hamish and in ABC’s limited series Shakedown. She also recurs as Ambassador Harding on NCIS: Sydney. In Australia, Claire is best known for her roles on Rush, The Pacific and Hawaii Five-0.
Dario Russo – Dario is a writer/director working internationally across feature film and series. He created, co-wrote, and directed the viral web series ITALIAN SPIDERMAN and the cult television show DANGER 5. Dario has recently completed his debut feature film, THE FOX, a black comedy produced by Causeway Films, which he wrote, directed, and composed the score for. Dario is a co-creator and co-showrunner on the upcoming animated comedy series DAD’S HOUSE for Netflix.
Tim White – A veteran producer whose acclaimed credits span Australia and New Zealand, including TWO HANDS, OSCAR & LUCINDA, THE BOYS ARE BACK, SLEEPING BEAUTY and I AM MOTHER. His award-winning New Zealand credits include NO. 2, OUT OF THE BLUE and THE DARK HORSE, alongside collaborations with the likes of Anthony Hopkins, Cate Blanchett, Heath Ledger and Ewan McGregor.
Suzanne Worner – A producer, programmer and screen-culture advocate with more than three decades of experience connecting audiences with stories across broadcast television, festivals, exhibition, publicity and cultural development. With 15 years of experience helping shape Perth’s independent screen culture, Suzanne has championed emerging filmmakers, international cinema and audience development.
Harvey Zielinski – Harvey is attending CinefestOZ to celebrate his debut feature, Sweet Milk Lake, which had its WA premiere and Film Prize Finalist screening last night. As a writer, Harvey is a two-time AWGIE nominee and a Betty Rowland Prize finalist and as an actor, Harvey is a two-time Heath Ledger Scholarship finalist and a CGA Rising Star Award Winner. His screen credits include Deadloch, White Fever, Love Me and Don’t Look Deeper.
Ngaire Pigram – A proud queer, Wajarri & Yawuru storyteller from Rubibi, Ngaire, has worked in theatre, film, and television for over thirty years, as cast, creative and crew. Graduating from WAAPA, Ngaire has starred in Mad Bastards, Mystery Road 2, Firebite, Sweet As and this year’s Film Prize Finalist, Sweet Milk Lake.
Kristina Ceyton – Kristina is co-founder of Causeway Films, a leading Australian production company known for bold, socially relevant storytelling. Launching with Jennifer Kent’s acclaimed The Babadook, Causeway continued with major successes like Talk to Me, Bring Her Back, Leviticus and Kristina is now at CinefestOZ to celebrate the Film Prize Finalist, The Fox.
Arlo Dean Cook – Arlo is a writer, director, cinematographer and editor whose work is deeply rooted in music and visual storytelling. Over the past decade he has directed and filmed more than eighty music videos. In 2025 Arlo edited his first narrative feature, Westgate, which premiered at MIFF. Jebediah: Are We OK? is his debut feature as writer and director which had its WA premiere at the Festival..
Photo by Abby Murray
