by FilmInk Staff
ONE WEEK UNTIL SUBMISSIONS CLOSE
Miah Madden (My Brilliant Career, Dive Club) and Chloé Hayden (Heartbreak High, author of Different, Not Less) have been announced as the first Ambassadors and judges for Trop Jr, the world’s largest short film festival for kids by kids, powered by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF).
With submissions closing on Friday 23 October, there is one more week for kids across the country to pick up a camera and make their voices heard. Over the years, plenty of Trop Jr and Tropfest finalists and winners have decided to make a film at the last minute – so, for anyone who thinks they’re too late, there’s still time!
Reimagined for a new generation of young storytellers, Australians aged 15 and under are encouraged to create an original short film of five minutes or less, incorporating the Trop Jr Signature Item (TSI): “Map”. The TSI must appear in some way in the film. It’s FREE to enter, and filmmakers are encouraged to focus on creativity and storytelling over production values.
In a first for the festival, Trop Jr has been aligned to the Australian Curriculum Version 9.0 across The Arts: Media Arts, English and the General Capability Critical and Creative Thinking, thanks to the ACTF.
Sixteen finalists will be selected to attend and screen their films at the “Grand Final” event on Friday December 4 at The Astor Theatre in Melbourne, where Madden and Hayden will join other exciting judges, to be announced soon, on the green carpet before watching the films.
Trop Jr Ambassador Chloé Hayden said, “I’m so excited and honoured to be on the judging panel for Trop Jr 2026. I can’t wait to see what Australia’s budding young creatives have offered up this year!”
Trop Jr Ambassador Miah Madden adds, “Sharing your voice has never been more important than it is now. We want to hear your story, so submit your short films into Trop Jr now!”
Tropfest Founder & Director John Polson said, “We’re so excited to have Miah and Chloé on board as ambassadors and judges for Trop Jr 2026. Both bring their own unique perspectives, creativity and passion for storytelling, making them fantastic role models for the next generation of young filmmakers. We hope their involvement inspires more kids to pick up a camera, give filmmaking a go and share the stories that matter to them.”
Produced by the newly established not-for-profit Tropfest Foundation, chaired by Sarah Murdoch, in partnership with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), Trop Jr is a national short film festival aimed squarely at all young Australians, regardless of where they live, their background or their financial means. Providing an accessible national platform for students to create and share work, the new look Trop Jr festival runs across the school year, culminating in a grand final screening event in Melbourne. The Foundation is led by Tropfest Executive Director Britt Wickes.
For finalists travelling from outside Melbourne, return flights and accommodation will be provided for up to four people, including parents or guardians. Other members of the creative teams are of course encouraged to join the celebrations where possible. The first-place winner will receive a prize pack valued at more than $1,500, with more amazing prizes to be announced closer to the day.
The ACTF has created a comprehensive resource to guide participants in creating their own short film, which includes a teacher’s guide and practical, step-by-step activities to support classroom delivery and independent participation. The resource also features the Trop Jr Masterclasses series, a set of short, practical virtual sessions designed to support young storytellers and the educators who work with them. Trop Jr alumni Charlotte McLaverty, Yianni Rowlands and the Macfarlane Brothers guide participants through sessions focused on a hands-on approach to making a short film scene using accessible techniques, Trop Jr education resources and everyday materials found around the house or classroom. Access the resource can be found HERE.
For more information on Tropfest, visit www.tropfest.com.
Can’t wait until December? Check out past Trop Jr highlights and award winners on YouTube HERE.
Your story belongs here. Make it happen.
