by FilmInk Staff
The clock is ticking and the final credits are getting closer for the 2026 Blue Heeler Film Festival.
Filmmakers across Australia and especially those right here in Muswellbrook Shire and the Upper Hunter are being urged to put their finishing touches on their films and hit submit before entries close at midnight on Sunday, 6 September 2026.
With just weeks remaining, Muswellbrook Shire Council is encouraging local students, aspiring filmmakers, first-time creators and experienced storytellers to take their shot and get involved in the 13th annual Festival.
This year’s theme, ‘Treasure’, is open to interpretation, giving entrants plenty of scope to get creative and tell a story about something meaningful to them, whether it is a person, place, memory, discovery or something completely unexpected.
The final call for entries follows the success of Council’s six free filmmaking workshops held during the recent school holidays, which gave young people of different ages the opportunity to get behind the camera, develop ideas and learn practical filmmaking skills from professionals in the industry.
While some of the younger workshop participants are not yet old enough to enter the Festival, the workshops were designed to spark an early interest in filmmaking and hopefully inspire the next generation of local Blue Heeler filmmakers.
For those eligible to enter, Council is encouraging participants along with anyone else who has been thinking about giving filmmaking a go to put those skills and ideas into action before the deadline.
Local films for the big screen
Local filmmakers will also have another opportunity to see their work celebrated, with Council currently organising a free community screening night to be held following the official Festival Awards Night.
Open to everyone, the screening night will give local entrants the chance to bring their friends and family along and see their films on the big screen, alongside other local entries and this year’s award-winning films.
The evening is being planned as a family friendly celebration of local creativity with film screening, food trucks, activities and a feature movie to follow.
Further details, including the date, venue and movie will be announced soon.
2026 judging panel revealed
As the submission deadline approaches, the Festival is also pleased to reveal and welcome its 2026 judging panel: Annette Hubber, Ryan Johnson and Anton Beebe.
Annette Hubber is an award-winning producer, production executive and events specialist with more than 35 years’ experience across film, television and live events. A former television producer and long-time Manager of Screen Hunter, Annette has worked with hundreds of productions and is passionate about supporting emerging filmmakers and creating opportunities for new voices.
Ryan Johnson is an Australian actor with more than two decades of experience and more than 200 hours of film and television credits. Australian audiences will recognise him from productions including Doctor Doctor, Bump, The Secret Life of Us, House Husbands, Love Child, How to Please a Woman and The Claremont Murders. His five-season role as Matt Knight in Doctor Doctor earned him a Silver Logie Nomination for Most Outstanding Actor in 2017.
Anton Beebe is a Fim and Television Lecturer and accomplished director with experience across television, commercials and short films. His credits include work for major national and international brands and directing the international science fiction television series Charlie Jade. His work has received industry recognition nationally and internationally, including nominations at film festivals in Montreal, Palm Springs, Mill Valley and Clermont Ferrand.
Together, the panel brings extensive experience from across the screen industry and will have the task of selecting this year’s Blue Heeler Film Festival winners.
There is plenty to play for, with $10,000 and The Golden Bluey awaiting the Open Category winner and $2,500 and The Golden Bluey for the winner of each Secondary School category.
Local entrants will also be in the running for the Best Local Film award, which includes a $1,000 gift voucher.
The winners will be announced at the Blue Heeler Film Festival’s Blue Carpet Awards Night on Saturday, 10 October 2026 at Two Rivers Wines, Denman.
The Blue Heeler Film Festival is organised by Muswellbrook Shire Council and proudly supported by major sponsor Bengalla Mining.
Film entries close at midnight on Sunday 6 September 2026 and can be submitted through the Blue Heeler Film Festival Website.
There is still time to write it, shoot it, edit it and enter it. Grab your camera or phone, bring your idea to life and make sure your film is in before the final credits roll on submissions.
