Announcements

Congratulations to the top 27 finalists for BUFTA 2026!

Names have been mentioned in no particular order.

Animation

Jasmine Edwards (QLD) | Heart’s a Mess

Evie Nowland (NSW) | Dear Lillian

Eleanor Creevey (QLD) | Harder Than Catching Lightning in a Bottle
 

Comedy

Mika Raeli (QLD) | Chip Sandwich

Eli Ross (QLD) | In Good Faith

Eleanor Creevey (QLD) | The Distraction Show


Experimental

Xanthe Clifford (QLD) | Canvas

Samantha Withrington (QLD) | Double Bind

Olivia Porter (VIC) | between blinks
 

Art Film

Natashia Laijadi (QLD) | Ship of Theseus

Jack Foggo (WA) | Pegasus

Taj Butcher (NSW) | We Were Brave
 

Drama

Billy Ferguson (QLD) | Normal Man

Francisco Dutra (QLD) | Requiem

Skyla Davies (QLD) | The Train Game
 

Music Video

Hannah Maslen (VIC) | beReal

Paul Suriano (WA) | still

Odessa Bishop-McMurray | Rose Coloured Glasses
 

Documentary

Magenta Stafford (QLD) | Denis from Delaware

Billy Ferguson (QLD) | The Connection Of Ants

Francisco Dutra (QLD) | Acrohc
 

Sports

Aaron Lu (QLD) | CUBE

Taj Butcher (NSW) | 1:44.4

Sophie Guthrie (QLD) | Between The Flags
 

International

Abhigyan Ravichandran (Malaysia) | Revolution

Kar Sing Ng (Malaysia) | Holding On To Xiao

Alex Brown (Malaysia) | A Night Without You

The top 45 finalists for BUFTA 2026

Important Information for all BUFTA Entrants

Updates to Terms & Conditions

Please note: There have been changes to the BUFTA Terms & Conditions. You must read and agree to all terms and conditions.

To be formally entered into the BUFTA competition and eligible for judging, you must submit an application to study at Bond University. You will be asked to enter your Bond University Application Reference Number (from Studylink) when submitting your film via FilmFreeway. If you need help completing your application and would like to speak with our Office of Future Students, please contact us - Call: 1800 074 074 or Email: [email protected] 

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 proofread spelling, grammar, and punctuation when entering your full name, film name, school name and details, as what is submitted is what will be published. 

Entry Period (Key Dates)

The film submission entry period is 1 June - 1 September. Please be sure to take note of BUFTA Important Dates. Due to strict timelines, late submissions will not be accepted. 

Could a BUFTA scholarship change your life?