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After a successful three-night festival in 2025, Pride Short Film Fest returns in 2026 to celebrate queer storytelling, independent filmmaking and community connection.
We're looking for short films by queer filmmakers or films exploring LGBTQIA+ themes and experiences. Whether you're an emerging filmmaker, an experienced creator, or somewhere in between, we'd love to see your work.
Selected films will be screened at Pride of our Footscray in September 2026, with the first screening night confirmed for 1 September 2026.
Submission Guidelines
Short films must be under 20 minutes
Films must either:
Explore LGBTQIA+ themes, or
Be made by LGBTQIA+ filmmakers
Narrative, documentary, animation and experimental films are welcome
Films screened at Pride Short Film Fest 2025 are not eligible
Multiple submissions are welcome
Submission is free
Attendance Requirement:
A filmmaker, producer or film representative must be available to attend either:
Tuesday 1 September 2026, or
Tuesday 8 September 2026
to introduce the film and participate in a short audience Q&A at Pride of our Footscray.
How to Submit
Please email your film (or a viewing link) to:
Please include:
Film title
Short synopsis
Director / filmmaker name
Phone number
Instagram or other social media links
Poster artwork (if available)
Trailer link (if available)
Any relevant content warnings
Submission Deadline:
11:59pm, Sunday 02 August 2026
Selected filmmakers will be contacted by August 9, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
👉 Click here to readDo I need to be a professional filmmaker?
Not at all. We welcome emerging filmmakers, students and first-time creators.
Is there a submission fee?
No. Submissions are completely free.
Can I submit more than one film?
Yes.
My film doesn't have a poster or trailer yet. Is that okay?
Yes. You can still submit your film. However, if your film is selected, we may request promotional materials such as posters, stills or trailers to help promote the festival.
Can filmmakers selected in 2025 submit again?
Absolutely.
However, films that screened at Pride Short Film Fest 2025 are not eligible. Please submit a different film that has not previously been selected for the festival.
Can I submit a film that has screened at other festivals?
Yes. Films that have screened elsewhere are welcome. The only films that are not eligible are films previously screened at Pride Short Film Fest 2025.
I am not based in Victoria. Can I still submit?
Yes. Filmmakers from interstate and overseas are welcome to submit, provided they can attend the screening themselves or arrange for a representative of the film to attend and introduce the work.
8. What do selected filmmakers receive?
Pride Short Film Fest is a community-based film festival and we are currently unable to offer screening fees or filmmaker payments.
However, selected films will be screened to a public audience at Pride of our Footscray, and filmmakers will have the opportunity to introduce their work, meet audiences, connect with other creatives, and promote future projects.
9. How many screening nights will there be this year?
We're still finalising the program.
At this stage we expect at least two screening nights, including 1 September and 8 September 2026.
10. Are there any awards or prizes?
There is currently no official information regarding awards or prizes for Pride Short Film Fest 2026.
We're exploring a few ideas and will share any updates closer to the festival, so stay tuned.
I have another question.
Please contact: films@prideofourfootscray.bar
and we'll be happy to help.
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