Creative Wollongong Short Film Competition

It's on again in 2024!

We're inviting budding film makers and storytellers aged 12 years and over to enter the Creative Wollongong Short Film Competition 2024. There'll be two categories: ages 12 - 24, and 25+

Each entry needs to add the key feature of water which can be included as an object, an overall theme, or a location. Film makers could also focus on the aquatic wonders of our local environment: think Lake Illawarra, beaches, rock pools or creeks in our local area.

Dates to note:

• Short film entries will close on Wednesday 31 July 2024.
• Our Creative Wollongong Short Film Festival will be held at Lakeside Reserve on Saturday 7 September from 6pm.

Meet our celebrity judge, Michael Theo

Our celebrity judge this year is Michael Theo.

Michael is an aspiring actor and voice over artist. He was the break-out star of the ABC/Northern Pictures documentary series, Love on the Spectrum series 1 & 2. Michael captured the hearts of viewers and quickly became a fan favourite not only in Australia but around the world, and appeared on many shows including his favourite, Ellen in the US.

Michael made his professional acting debut in the Emmy award-winning kids drama, HardBall and he recently finished filming a leading role, alongside Ben Miller, Sally Phillips and Gia Carides in the 8-part comedy drama series Austin, which will air on the ABC in 2024. Michael is a strong believer in ‘it’s our differences that make us all special’. He has used both his online platforms and widely successful podcast, Mr A+, with DM Podcasts, to create a safe space to express & celebrate these differences.

Important information

Make sure you read these two pages before you enter the competition:

How to enter

1. Read the Competition Guidelines and Terms and Conditions
2. Create your short film and upload it to YouTube as an unlisted or private video
3. Use the button below to complete our online form. You'll need to include:
   1. Your name, date of birth and contact details
   2. The link to your video (and if applicable, the password so we can view it)
   3. Permission from your parent or guardian if you are under 18.

Events

Project partners

This competition is a creative partnership between:

• Wollongong City Council (including Wollongong Art Gallery and Wollongong Youth Services)
• Screen Illawarra
• Careways
• Shellharbour City Council
• Coequal
• Bus Stop Films.

2021 competition

Congratulations to the winners of our Creative Wollongong Short Film Competition 2021, which was bike-themed to celebrate the 2022 UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong.

8 to 12 years category

• First place: Felix Williams, Spell book 2
• Second place: Jade Woods, Deja Vu

13 to 19 years category

• First place: Beau Ritchie, Head in The Clouds
• Second place: Alyssa Norris, Home

Best performance

• Ewan Dummond, The Cyclist Who Loved Me.

For more information about this competition, email Council's Cultural Development team or call (02) 4227 7111.