PROUDLY PRESENTED BY
Technology Partner
SUPPORTED BY MAJOR PARTNERS
WHAT IS AWFF?
AWFF is a short film festival that aims to support, encourage and celebrate female storytellers by giving them a platform to showcase their talent both in front and behind the camera. We want to put women front and centre in an industry that has been traditionally dominated by men.
IS MY FILM ELIGIBLE?
One of the most unique aspects of AWFF is that at least three key creatives of a film (e.g. Writer, Director, Producer, DOP, Animator, Composer and Editor) must identify as female. Men are not excluded from being involved in AWFF, they just need to be willing to work with women!
The film must not exceed 20 minutes and all fictional films must pass the Bechdel Test.
WHAT IS THE BECHDEL TEST?
In order to pass the Bechdel Test a fictional film must meet the following three criteria:
(1) it has to have at least two women in it;
(2) who talk to each other;
(3) about something other than a man.
HOW TO ENTER
THE JUDGES
BRUNA
PAPANDREA
Producer
CATHERINE
LAGA’AIA
Actor
KYLIE
MUNNICH
Executive Director of Screen NSW
THE EVENT
A celebration of women in film dedicated to showcasing Australian talent in all facets of Australian production.
AWFF 2026 will be held in Sydney at Event Cinemas, George Street on Tuesday 22 September 2026 at 6pm.
Presented By
INCLUSIVE BY DESIGN: MAKING FILMS THAT PASS EVERY TEST
This inaugural AWFF masterclass brings together some of Australia’s most important voices in screen to explore inclusion as a creative force rather than a compliance exercise. This is a conversation about gender representation, disability-led filmmaking, First Nations storytelling, and what Australian cinema looks like when everyone gets a seat at the table they helped build.
The Panel
Moderated by AWFF Co-Founder Tahyna Tozzi, the panel brings together leaders from across the Australian screen industry:
DIANNA
LA GRASSA
COO & Head of Screen at
Bus Stop Films
NELL
GREENWOOD
CEO at AFTRS
Screenwriter & Creativity Advocate
RACHEL
PERKINS
Director of First Nations Strategy
Screen Australia & Filmmaker
NINA
OYAMA
Writer, Director, Actress
and Comedian
LIANNE
MACKESSY
Actor, Writer & Director
THE AWARDS
Contact us for more information on submitting your film or becoming a sponsor.
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