Shoot for the Stars: Port Shorts Finalists Qualify for AACTA Awards

The coolest short film festival in the tropics is now also a shortcut for filmmakers to qualify for the Australian Academy of Cinema & Television Arts (AACTA) Awards.

All finalists in the Open category of the 2025 Port Shorts Film Festival - to be held in Port Douglas on October 18 with more than $10,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs - will be eligible for consideration in, and receive discounted entry to, the AACTA Best Short Film Award category.

The new creative partnership will also be celebrated with a new prize at the 2025 Port Shorts Film Festival - Best Queensland Short Film presented by AACTA open to short films shot in Queensland with at least two Queensland-based key creatives (director/writer/producer).

AACTA Awards & Industry Development Manager Ivan Vukusic, who experienced the magic of the Port Shorts Film Festival for the first time in 2024 as a judge, encouraged filmmakers and audiences to be a part of the show in 2025.

“There is nothing quite like the Port Shorts Film Festival,” Ivan said.

“Run with a a lot of heart and passion by an incredibly dedicated team, it is the most picturesque festival in Australia, with a beautiful community vibe.

“I had a chance to meet some really proactive filmmakers and an inspiring bunch of young creatives - it was an absolute blast.

“I’m excited for AACTA to become an industry partner of the Port Shorts Film Festival and introduce new initiatives to encourage emerging filmmakers.”

Port Shorts Film Festival Director Alison George said the Port Shorts crew is delighted to receive such a strong endorsement of the event from the AACTA team.

“Giving filmmakers the chance to qualify for the AACTA Best Short Film Award by screening as a finalist at the Port Shorts Film Festival and the new Best Queensland Short Film award is the icing on the cake for us,” Alison said.

“We’re excited to collaborate with the AACTA team to support the next generation of amazing filmmakers from around Australia.”

Those sentiments were supported by Port Shorts Ambassador and judge, legendary Aussie actor Stephen Curry, who will resume hosting duties at the 2025 festival.

“Port Shorts has been filling my creative cup for the past 10 years, the quality of the films and the beauty of Rex Smeal Park under the stars with the palm trees, the Coral Sea and the Daintree Rainforest as the backdrop is pretty hard to beat,” Curry said.

“They don’t have a street named after me yet but the locals welcome me as one of their own, especially if it’s my shout at the bar.”

To enter your short film in the 2025 Port Shorts Film Festival and be in with a chance to win more than

$10k in cash and prizes and qualify for the AACTA Best Short Film Award visit https://filmfreeway.com/

PortShortsFilmFestival.