WTF Film Festival

Open for Submissions!

After a long wait, we've finally opened for submissions for this years 2024 WTF Film Festival. Our festival is run by independent filmmakers for independent filmmakers.

We have a fantastic judging panel, a stack of eager volunteers and some awesome venues. Due to demand last year, we've even expanded our program to three days.

For those who entered last year, we've created a special category for you, as a way of saying thank you for taking a punt on our festival in its first year. Our Inaugural Entrants category is now also open for your submissions. So, get cracking and let's see what short (really short) films you can come up with (3 Minutes).

Entries through Film Freeway. See you on opening night!

https://filmfreeway.com/WTFFestival

Only 7 days remaining until we open for submissions for the 2024 WTF Film Festival!

We're excited about our program for this year, as well as our revised film categories and...new categories! These include Documentary (Open and Canberra District) and our Inaugural WTF Festival Entrants Under 3 Minute Category. If you entered a film in 2023, you qualify for entry into this category.

Last year was a great festival, but we needed to expand it. So, we did! This means we'll have not only a great line-up of films, but we'll be able to introduce Director Q&A's, a panel discussion (TBA) and some other elements, which will be great networking opportunities.

Entries open 1 March 2024

https://filmfreeway.com/WTFFestival

Introducing our judges for the 2024 WTF Film Festival!

As you know, you can't have a film festival without judges. They put in a stack of hard work, all in the background, watching, scoring, assessing and hopefully, enjoying the submissions.

Here's the announcement of another of the festival judges for the 2024 WTF Film Festival. Welcome Phil Small!

Never a reader but someone who has relied on film to tell the story Phil spent 20 years in front of the camera on Canberra television as a news presenter and sports show host.

He is a multi national radio award winner (ACRA) and still remains active as a commentator regionally.

Always attracted to the visual aspects of film and especially those with a sci fi bent Phil has more recently worked within government alongside Production teams creating content relating to security and community engagement.

He looks forward to viewing the many possibilities of his categories in this years awards.

Phil will judge our Sci-Fi and Under 10 Minute Film categories.

Introducing our judges for the 2024 WTF Film Festival!

As you know, you can't have a film festival without judges. They put in a stack of hard work, all in the background, watching, scoring, assessing and hopefully, enjoying the submissions.

Back for a second year of judging the 2024 WTF Film Festival. Welcome back Aurea Morrissey!

Aurea is an energetic and passionate Australian producer and performer currently living in the US, who has spent the last 18 years in the film and television industry.

​A graduate from The Film & Television at New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, she secured the prestigious O1 Visa which recognises individuals with extraordinary ability within the motion picture and entertainment industry, and has built a career in front of the camera on large scale TV productions for CW Network, ABC Network, and MSNBC; along with numerous feature films, short films and online series. Aurea has spent the past decade building a body of work behind the camera, primarily as a producer and 1st AD.

​Throughout this time she teamed up with fellow Australian director Shae-Lee Shackleford, to produce award winning commercials and branded content for recognised companies such as Ralph Lauren, WSL, TEVA and multi-award winning ‘Thrush the Musical’ for Canestan. She has developed and produced award winning television pilot concepts and popular web series.

​The dynamic duo are currently working on two feature films ‘The Aussie’ and ‘The Shaman’ which are set to bring them back to Australia to showcase their cultural heritage and homeland to international audiences.Aurea is an energetic and passionate Australian producer and performer currently living in the US, who has spent the last 18 years in the film and television industry.

A graduate from The Film & Television at New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, she secured the prestigious O1 Visa which recognises individuals with extraordinary ability within the motion picture and entertainment industry, and has built a career in front of the camera on large scale TV productions for CW Network, ABC Network, and MSNBC; along with numerous feature films, short films and online series. Aurea has spent the past decade building a body of work behind the camera, primarily as a producer and 1st AD.

​Throughout this time she teamed up with fellow Australian director Shae-Lee Shackleford, to produce award winning commercials and branded content for recognised companies such as Ralph Lauren, WSL, TEVA and multi-award winning ‘Thrush the Musical’ for Canestan. She has developed and produced award winning television pilot concepts and popular web series.

The dynamic duo are currently working on two feature films ‘The Aussie’ and ‘The Shaman’ which are set to bring them back to Australia to showcase their cultural heritage and homeland to international audiences.

Aurea will judge our Open Female and Films under 10 minure categories.

Introducing our judges for the 2024 WTF Film Festival!

As you know, you can't have a film festival without judges. They put in a stack of hard work, all in the background, watching, scoring, assessing and hopefully, enjoying the submissions.

Back for a second year of judging the 2024 WTF Film Festival. Welcome back David Jockel!

My favourite recent movie is Everything Everywhere All at Once. My favourite old movie is The Honeymoon Killers from 1970.

I particularly like movies that are not too predictable or formulaic and that have some originality. My day job is torture - Hansard - so I'm looking forward to watching some uplifting movies that provide contrast to the mediocrity and mean spirit of our parliament.

Introducing our judges for the 2024 WTF Film Festival!

As you know, you can't have a film festival without judges. They put in a stack of hard work, all in the background, watching, scoring, assessing and hopefully, enjoying the submissions.

Back for a second year of judging the 2024 WTF Film Festival. Welcome back Jen Thompson!

Being transported through cinema, music, books and art in general is my happy place. You’ll find me in the cinema at least once a week.​

My background is sprinkled across a few decades in television, radio, national cultural institutions and a business of narrative therapy through digital storytelling. I’ve sung in bands and had photographs in local exhibitions.​

So, thanks WTF for inviting me to watch films and vote for my favourites. It’s a fun and daunting task. These films from near and far make me laugh, cry and ponder the human condition – what it’s all about, right?​

I have respect for anyone brave and determined enough to share their creativity.​

Let’s celebrate this festival together!​

Now, where’s my popcorn…

Introducing our judges for the 2024 WTF Film Festival!

As you know, you can't have a film festival without judges. They put in a stack of hard work, all in the background, watching, scoring, assessing and hopefully, enjoying the submissions.

Here's the announcement of our second judge for the 2024 WTF Film Festival. Welcome Ryan Erlandsen!

Ryan Erlandsen is a stage and screen actor from Canberra and Adelaide, Australia. Ryan appeared in the 2023 WTF Film festival in the adaptation of Stephen King’s Dedication as the antagonist Peter Jeffries and in the multi-award winning Follow Your Nose.

Ryan is passionate about working with emerging talent, starring in student films with the University of Canberra Film School’s, Learners and the University of South Australia Film School’s, Beyond Our Grasp.

​On stage, Ryan has performed with professional and amateur theatre companies including the Mill Theatre in Reasons to be Pretty and the Canberra Repertory Theatre in Hotel Sorrento and in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Ryan is a member of Canberra’s premier improvised theatre company, Lightbulb Improv, performing at the National Folk Festival and Canberra Theatre and will make his debut at the 2024 Adelaide Fringe in the production Cypress Point.

​Ryan has a drive for story telling through dramatic arts and is drawn to character-driven stories, bringing complex characters to life on both stage and screen, scripted and unscripted. Ryan will make his judging debut at the 2024 WTF Film Festival for the Films Under 20 Minutes and Open Student categories.



www.wtffilmfestival.com

Introducing our judges for the 2024 WTF Film Festival!

As you know, you can't have a film festival without judges. They put in a stack of hard work, all in the background, watching, scoring, assessing and hopefully, enjoying the submissions.

Here's the announcement of our first judge for the 2024 WTF Film Festival. Welcome Gabrielle Grégoire!

Gabrielle Grégoire, a filmmaker from Canberra, Australia, draws inspiration from her multicultural upbringing, travels abroad and the natural world that surrounds us.

Her filmmaking journey began with early recognition at the age of 17, winning an internationally recognised film award at FlickerFest in Sydney for "La Torta." This marked the start of a series of accolades in experimental, poetic, and short documentaries.

In 2021, Gabrielle earned her Bachelor of Arts in Film Production from the University of Canberra. Driven by her adventurous spirit, she interned as a script analyst at Jean Doumanian Productions in New York City, contributing her love for film to the city's vibrant energy. Gabrielle firmly believes in the profound impact of storytelling, especially through the cinematic medium. She emphasises the vital role of storytelling, envisioning this exchange as a catalyst for understanding, healing, and embarking on a transformative journey toward higher states of being.

Beyond the realm of film, her ultimate vision extends to contributing to a global shift towards a more compassionate and loving world. Guided by this vision, Gabrielle is committed to a continuous journey of learning and remains open to new concepts, stories, and experiences.

Gabrielle will judge our Sci-Fi and Under 18 categories.

Here we go, wonderful filmmakers!

Our second year and we're pleased to announce that this year will be an extended format and our festival will be held over three days. Thursday 7 November to Saturday 9 November.

We've also included some new categories including:
- Open Documentary
- Canberra & District Documentary
- Sc-fi
- Horror

As promised, we're pleased to announce our Inaugural WTF Entrants category, in recognition of all the filmmakers who took a punt on entering our festival in its first year. For those filmmakers, you can enter a film up to three minutes in length for no charge. Get cracking!

This years festival will also include Directors Q&A's, a panel discussion and we've got a welcoming event on the Thursday evening.

So, get cracking. We cant wait to see what is produced this year!

WTF Festival is a festival by Independent Filmmakers for Independent Filmmakers.

Entries into the 2024 WTF Film Festival open on 1 March!

The countdown is on and we can't wait to see what you come up with this year.

COMING SOON - official announcements about this years festival including our expanded format, Director Q&A's, and our Panel Discussion, as well as new entry categories (don't worry, we still have the categories you loved last year).

Our festival podcast is now ready!

For all the details of our award winners, the films and general commentary on the WTF Film Festival, visit:

https://www.wtffilmfestival.com/podcast

Podcast | WTF Film Festival

Well I'm not going to lie. I'm nervous about these beautiful glass trophies making it to you in one piece!

Here we go...no newspapers left in Australia! All used for packaging!

And, here's some photo's of the day and night for all our filmmakers that couldn't be there.

Entries for the 2024 festival open 1 March 2024. Entries through film freeway.

What a massive, fun day. The vibe was awesome. Thanks to everyone who attended. All the festival wrap up news coming today!

We'll have photos, award lists and of course, our podcast.

Final session coming up. Pretty much a full house!

Thanks to all our awesome filmmakers films!

WTF Film Festival

More from our first year WTF Film Festival

instagram.com

VIP drinks before our evening session!

Morning session completed!

What a great bunch of films and what a great audience!

Awards ceremony number 1 completed. The results (drum roll)...

12 to 16 Years
Honorary Mention
Blue Light, Yilli Yuan.
Girls Best Friend, Aarav Vaidya.

Best in Category
The Devil's Mascot, Eleanor Creevey

Under 18 Years
Honorary Mention
Dream/Curse, Ryo O'Loingsigh.
Phantom Pressure, Karena Darwen.
She/They...? Jade Breen.

Best in Category
Monday Morning Again, Clare Willmott.

Open Student
Honorary Mention
Day 18.727, Faith Kennedy- Graham.
Bhindi, Apoorv Jaiswal.
SUBSTRATUM, Harvey Abrahams.
Departure, Matilda Bevan.

Best in Category
Mirror, Clancy Ellerman-Miller.

Congratulation.

PS: our photographer hadn't arrived so we did our best!

One last quality assurance gig!

Here we go!

Set up begins.

Cracking day.

WTF Film Festival

Hello to all our festival people and everyone!

I know it's getting super exciting with the festival kicking off tomorrow, and i know people just can't wait to get cracking on votes for The People's Choice Award!

Unfortunately, voting doesn't commence until 10am tomorrow😪

The voting tally will be cleared at 10am tomorrow to make way for the hordes of excited attendees, ready to scan the QR code and cast their vote for this important award!

Boo, hiisss i hear from the crowd...but heh, someone's gotta keep this under control.

Good luck to all our wonderful filmmakers.