How to enter

Important Information

Submitting to BUFTA

The BUFTA Short Film Competition only accepts entries via FilmFreeway. When submitting your film/s to BUFTA, you will be asked to complete a series of questions, however a number of these questions are not applicable (N/A) for BUFTA entry. 

Please be advised that BUFTA only requires the following information, all other form fields can be entered as not applicable (N/A), for a smoother, speedier and more seamless film submission experience. 

Please ensure you take your time to double check spelling, grammar, and punctuation when entering your full name, film name, school name and details, as what is submitted is what will be published. 

BUFTA Film Submission (compulsory fields)

Project Information

  • Film Title
  • Film Synopsis

Entrant Information

  • Name
  • Email
  • Phone
  • Address
  • Birthdate
  • Gender

Specifications (Film)

  • Genre(s)
  • Run Time
  • Completion Date
  • Country of Origin
  • Film Language
  • Student Project (Yes/No)

BUFTA-Specific Requirements 

  • Year Level (11 or 12)
  • Highschool
  • Teacher’s details
  • Parent/Guardian details
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Application to Study at Bond University
  • Bond University Application Reference Number 

Ready to submit your film to BUFTA?

Make sure you have obtained copyright approval and met the terms and conditions of the competition guidelines, before you submit! When submitting your film to BUFTA, you must agree to all terms and conditions. 
Copyright approval

Do you have any copyright media in your entry? You must obtain approval from the owner for any copyright media in your film. To obtain approval, you can reach out to the owner of the content via email, using the template provided here.

Dear Copyright Holder,

You are receiving this notice because a high school student wishes to use your music in a short film they have made to enter the Bond University Film and Television Awards (BUFTA) [http://www.bond.edu.au/bufta]. The BUFTA Awards are an initiative of the Bond University Film and Television program intended to promote filmmaking amongst high school students.

Before you grant copyright permission for the student to use your music in their short film please note that the film maybe used for in any or all of the following as part of the competition:

  • hosted on a public content site such as Vimeo or YouTube
  • publicly promoted as part of the People’s Choice Award hosted on the BUFTA website
  • screened in the awards ceremony, which is streamed live
  • used to promote the BUFTA competition in future years

Considering the uses described above, if you are happy for your music to be used in their film, then please provide your written approval via return email.

Thank you.

Regards,

The BUFTA Team

Bond University

You must attach a copy of this email, with their reply indicating approval, to your entry and upload it along with your film at the time of submission. Alternatively, you can email it through to the BUFTA Team at [email protected], along with your name and the name of your film entry.

Dates and deadlines
IMPORTANT DATES

Entries open:  1 June 2026

Entries close: 1 September 2026

Top 45 films announced: 23 September 2026

Judging day: 29 September 2026

BUFTA Nominees (Top 27) announced:1 October 2026

Hopes & Dreams Video Deadline:5 October 2026 (midnight AEST)

(Please note: You are not required to provide a Hopes & Dreams submission until you are named in the BUFTA Nominee (Top 27) announcement. You will receive email instructions on how to submit your Hopes & Dreams video.)

People’s Choice voting opens:8 October 2026

BUFTA Film Festival: Friday, 20 November 2026

Winners announced:Saturday, 21 November 2026 at the annual Bond University Film & Television Academy (BUFTA) Awards Ceremony.

Submit your film
Congratulations, you're at the final stage!

BUFTA Film Submission Portal Here!

Contact us
Technical difficulties

If you are experiencing any technical difficulties while on the BUFTA website or are having trouble uploading your film, please contact our Information Technology Team at [email protected].

General enquiries

If you would like further information on the BUFTA competition, any of our other events, or are interested in becoming a sponsor of BUFTA please contact our Marketing and Events Team at [email protected].