Valley Shorts
Following the outstanding success of our inaugural festival, Valley Shorts returns for 2026!
With a total prize pool of $2,500, Valley Shorts celebrates storytelling and reflects the phenomenal increase in video production by professionals and amateurs alike.
It’s free to enter and open to all ages, welcoming entries across any genre.
- Entry is free and open to all age groups
- Groups are permitted to collaborate however, a key person needs to be appointed to represent the group and must be a resident within the Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee or Illawarra regions
- The entries can be any duration from 30 seconds to 3 minutes
- All genres accepted (narrative, documentary, animation, drama, horror, comedy etc)
- Multiple entries are allowed but each must have their own entry form
- Judging will consider originality, story, character(s) and production value and their decision will be final
- Every entry must include a visual representation of a MIRROR (physical mirror, reflective surface, or mirrored imagery)
Entries must be submitted online by Wednesday 4th February at midnight.
Finalists to be screened at the premiere on Friday 13th February in Kangaroo Valley will be advised by 5pm on Monday 7th February.
Prizes will be awarded with the acknowledgements as follows:
- $1,000 - Best Film
- $500 - Young Filmmaker Award (age 16-25)
- $400 - Family Filmmaker Award
- $100 - Junior Filmmaker Award (under 16)
- $300 - Best Use of the Mirror
- $100 - Best Lead Character/Actor
- $100 - Best Inclusion of a Kangaroo Valley Landmark
Prizes: Donated by Your Life Stories, Goodwill Relations & Leigh Ritchie.
Whether you’re filming on a phone or professional camera, your story matters.
If you have any questions, please email Julie Ward.