Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival — has officially closed submissions for the 2026 event, marking a powerful return with over 700 entries – near a Tropfest all-time record.
Early analysis of submissions highlights diversity across the field, with approximately 33 per cent of directors identifying as female, tracking above industry averages and previous Tropfests, alongside a majority of first-time entrants, signalling a new wave of emerging talent stepping into the spotlight.
Domestic submissions have poured in from across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the NT and ACT, underscoring Tropfest’s continued national reach. Internationally, entries represent Canada, China, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States. Any international entries selected as finalists will screen Out of Competition, with Tropfest flying the filmmakers from their home country to Sydney for the event.
Fifteen finalists will be announced in late January, with a 16th finalist selected by the public as the Wildcard, viewed and voted on via YouTube in the early part of February.
Tropfest Founder and Director John Polson said the calibre and breadth of submissions reflects the festival’s renewed energy and mission. “The response this year has been extraordinary. Receiving more than 700 entries after a six-year hiatus is incredibly heartening – especially considering these films are made specifically for Tropfest, and filmmakers have only had since our return was announced on 1 September. With a majority of first-time entrants, it genuinely feels like a new generation of filmmakers is stepping forward.”
Tropfest returns to Sydney’s Centennial Park on Sunday 22 February 2026, showcasing the very best in short-form storytelling on one of the biggest screens in the country, and livestreamed globally on YouTube. The FREE, live event will culminate in the world premiere of the finalist films, with winners announced on stage before thousands of film lovers and a jury headed by internationally acclaimed, Academy Award-nominated actor and producer Margot Robbie.
Filmmakers are competing for a share of $100,000 through the newly established CommBank Tropfest Emerging Filmmakers Fund, created to support the next generation of Australian storytellers. First, second and third prizes are valued at $50,000, $30,000 and $20,000 respectively, with CommBank encouraging winners to invest directly in the development of their careers. Winners will also receive premium technology bundles from Google, along with additional prizes.
The 2026 event also marks Tropfest’s official transition to a not-for-profit Foundation, dedicated to nurturing emerging creative talent. The Foundation is guided by a board of cultural leaders including Sarah Murdoch (Chair), Bryan Brown, John Polson, Peter V’landys and Richard Weinberg.
Tropfest 2026 partners include CommBank, YouTube, Qantas, Nine Entertainment, Greater Sydney Parklands, NSW Government, Destination NSW, Fraser Suites Sydney, Holding Redlich, Lumina and NixCo.
With just five and a half weeks until the main event, audiences are encouraged to explore decades of exceptional finalist and winning films on Tropfest’s YouTube channel.
Follow @tropfest on social media for updates. For more information and event details visit www.tropfest.com
Tropfest returns to Centennial Park on Sunday 22 February 2026
