Lights, camera, action!
Entries open Monday 17 August 2026. Find out more at the briefing session on Tuesday, 18 August at Kirrawee Library+
This year we’re celebrating the beautiful beaches that call Sutherland Shire home.
We’re inviting filmmakers of all ages to submit their short film of up to 10 minutes in length. Entrants are encouraged to attend a free briefing session at Kirrawee Library+ to learn more about the competition.
2026 theme: Best Beaches
The 2026 Cut Short Film Competition theme, Best Beaches, is an invitation to step into the Sutherland Shire’s Bate Bay.
With Bate Bay beaches recognised as the winner of Tourism Australia’s Best Beaches for 2026, the theme invites filmmakers to explore the connections between people, place, and coastline through cinematic or documentary storytelling.
Films are not limited to traditional depictions of beach life. Entries may explore local history, surf culture, community stories, environmental relationships, or fictional narratives, using Bate Bay as a backdrop, influence, or point of connection. So, kick off your shoes, get your feet sandy, and show us Bate Bay through your eyes.
Awards and prizes
Proudly presented by Sutherland Shire Council, Cut Short 2026 offers a stage for emerging talent and established filmmakers from Sydney and beyond to share their diverse stories through film. The following prizes will be awarded for each category:
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
|
Junior Major Prize (17 and under) | $2,000 |
|
Adult Major Prize (18 and over) | $2,000 |
|
Junior Local Artist (17 and under) | $1,000 |
|
Adult Local Artist (18 and over) | $1,000 |
Use a studio at Kirrawee Library+ to produce your film!
Terms and Conditions
Read the full Terms and Conditions before submitting your entry. If you wish to submit your entry in a physical format you must print the entry form below and include it with your entry (if you are entering online via Film Freeway you do not need this entry form).
Terms and conditions of entry Download and print the entry form