How To Apply

Please read the guidelines below before submitting your film.

Film Length

• Your film must be between 5:00 to 10:00 minutes in length (including credits).

• If it creeps over… we’ll notice.

Eligibility

• The writer and director must be aged 50 years or over.

• At least 50% of your creative team must be aged 50 years or over. This can include cast, crew, or a mix of both.

• The storyline must focus on the over 50s experience.

• Films must have been completed after 1 January 2026.

Note: proof of age may be required at the discretion of the festival producers.

Creative Freedom

• Any genre welcome: drama, comedy, documentary, experimental… surprise us.

• Shoot on anything: phone, camera, film.

• Non-English dialogue must be subtitled.

Original Work

• Keep it original—your story, your voice.

• We want to hear stories about, and from, the over 50s experience.

• We accept Australian and International short films. 

The Spirit of the Festival

This festival exists to:

• Champion creativity for those who’ve been in the game for eons or are late bloomers

• Celebrate collaboration across the over 50s generation

• Remind us that great stories don’t have an expiry date.

How To Submit

• Upload your film to YouTube. Ensure you set it to UNLISTED.

• Complete the application form.

• Make sure the link and password to your unlisted film are included in your application.

• Pay the application fee.

Submissions

• We’ll contact all filmmakers to inform you of your status.

• If selected, your film will only be used for the purpose of this festival.

• If selected to screen at the festival, you’ll be required to supply promotional material such as posters, social media graphics and trailers. A 10-second non-spoiler clip from your film may be used as promo for the festival.

• By submitting your project, you agree that you own the rights to your project and/or have received permissions of use including any music used. The festival is not liable for any copyright infringements.

• By submitting to the festival, you agree to waiver all legal action against the festival, its organisers, venue, associates, stakeholders, families and or affiliates.

Key Dates

Entries Open: 1 July 2026

Deadline: 1 November 2026

Finalists Announced: 30 November 2026

Festival Screening: 6 December 2026

Fees

Entry Fee: $50

Prizes

The following prizes will be awarded:

• Best Script

• Best Director

• Best Female Actor

• Best Male Actor

• Best Music Score

• Best Set Direction

• Best Film

• Best International Director

• Best International Film

Red Carpet Festival Screening

A Red Carpet Event will be held in Melbourne, Sunday 6 December 2026. Stay tuned for details!