Frequently Asked Questions

These FAQs are intended as a guide only. Final requirements will be confirmed in the official Entry Form and Terms & Conditions, which take precedence over the information below. Tropfest reserves the right to make changes at any time.

When do film submissions close?
Film submissions open on December 1 2025 and close on January 8, 2026. All submissions will be made via YouTube, stay tuned for details.
How many times can I enter?
Filmmakers may submit as many films as they like, there is no restriction.
Is there an age limit for entering?
No. Tropfest has no age restrictions.
Will there be a Trop Jr in 2026?
We’re hopeful that Trop Jr will also relaunch in 2026. Stay tuned! (Trop Jr entrants must be 15 years old or younger.)
What format should I submit my film in?
Films must be submitted as a high-quality digital file. We recommend .MP4 (H.264 codec) at 1080p with stereo audio. Please ensure the file is within the maximum upload size stated on the entry platform.
If your film is selected as a finalist, we will likely request a higher-resolution version (such as ProRes 422 or DCP) for the main event screening and for our archives, but the initial submission only requires the digital file upload.
Does it matter what I shoot on, or what aspect ratio I use?
No—your film can be shot on any format or aspect ratio, as long as the final file is delivered in the required digital format. Just keep in mind that unusual aspect ratios may affect how your film appears in judging and screenings – they may also impact the size of your image in the live event, which could matter outdoors in front of a large crowd. That said, if it’s a creative choice, it could also work to your advantage.
Can I submit a film that has screened elsewhere?
No. All Tropfest films must have their public premiere at Tropfest. If your film has already been publicly screened, it’s not eligible—even if it has been re-edited.
How do I apply to become a pre-selector?
Please send us your resume and details of your experience, and we’ll add you to our database for consideration. We take the pre-selection process very seriously and only involve highly qualified people as our pre-selectors.
What happens to my film after Tropfest?
If your film is selected as a finalist, it must premiere at Tropfest, meaning it must never have been seen publicly before the Tropfest event. After that, you retain full ownership and are free to take it to other festivals or anywhere else. We ask you to keep the Tropfest logo on your film in support of Tropfest, though we don’t enforce it. As a finalist, Tropfest retains non-exclusive rights to screen your film in line with our Terms & Conditions.
If your film is shortlisted but not chosen as a finalist, you may choose to give Tropfest non-exclusive rights to screen it on our official YouTube channel, where it can reach a large global audience, though it is not a requirement.
If your film is not pre-selected, Tropfest has no further rights in it.
Who is eligible to enter Tropfest Australia?
Tropfest Australia is designed to help launch Australian careers. The director must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident on the date of entry for the film to be eligible for competition. Filmmakers from anywhere in the world may still enter and may be selected to screen “out of competition”—meaning the same screening, event and audience, but not eligible for prizes.
Can my cast and crew be international?
Yes. The only person who must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident is the director. The director also receives the prizes, though they may share them as they wish.
How can I connect with other Tropfest filmmakers (scripts, crews, actors, etc.)?
We’re setting up a Tropfest Filmmakers Group where you can connect with other entrants to share scripts, find collaborators, and build your team. Stay tuned for details on how to join.
What restrictions do you have on violent content, if any?
Tropfest welcomes bold storytelling, but we ask filmmakers to use discretion with violent content. As an outdoor, free public event attended by people of all ages, films should remain suitable for a general festival audience. Any depiction of violence must serve the story, not exist for shock value. As a guide, content should typically fall within the Australian Classification Board’s categories up to M. This includes limitations on sexual content, with sexual activity or nudity needing to be discreet and justified by context. Entries containing excessive, gratuitous, or extreme violence are unlikely to be selected, and material that is likely to exceed an M rating due to either violent or sexual content will not be considered appropriate.
Can my film be a rework of a play?
Yes.
What is Tropfest’s policy on AI-generated content?
Tropfest is still formulating its long-term approach to AI, but our current guideline is simple: AI may be used as a creative tool, provided you clearly state in your entry form where and how it was used (a section of the form is dedicated to this). What matters most to us is transparency and that the filmmaker plays a meaningful creative role—AI should support, not replace, human authorship. Our pre-selectors and judges will see that information, but films won’t be penalised simply for using AI as long as its use is clear and appropriate.
How do you manage AI in film submissions?
We ask all filmmakers to disclose any use of AI in their entry form. There will be a dedicated section where you can indicate where and how AI was used (for example, in writing, visuals, sound, or editing). This ensures full transparency for our pre-selectors and judges, while still allowing AI to be embraced as a creative tool.
While there is currently no AI-only section of Tropfest for films, Tropfest is future-facing and wants to embrace new tools. So this is something we’re considering for the future.
Is there an AI-only category at Tropfest?
Not at this stage. While there is currently no AI-only section of Tropfest, we are a future-facing festival and open to embracing new tools. A dedicated category for AI-assisted films is something we may consider in the future.