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.

What is the Tropfest Signature Item (TSI)?
To ensure films are produced specifically for Tropfest, each year we announce a “TSI” which must be included in your film to make it eligible for Tropfest. The TSI for 2027 is ‘NECKLACE’. You’re free to incorporate the TSI in any way you want. It can be central to your plot, a subtle moment in the background or something in between, just as long as it’s there!
How long can my film be?
Tropfest films must be no longer than 7 minutes including titles and credits. But remember, you don’t need to use the entire 7 minutes. Some of the best Tropfest films, including many award winners, have been less than 7 minutes.
When do film submissions open/close for 2027
Entries open on Tuesday 1st December 2026 and close on Thursday 7th January 2027.
When does Tropfest 2027 take place?
Please stay tuned on all festival dates, including Roughcut, our filmmaker educational program, and other events. All dates will be announced soon, make sure you have signed up to our mailing list HERE so you don’t miss out.
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?
Tropfest has no age restrictions. However, if you’re under 16, there will be a different submission procedure. Full details will be available in the official submission materials, coming soon.
Will there be a Trop Jr in 2026?
Yes, Trop Jr 2026 is in full swing and is open to anyone 15 years old or younger. The TSI for Trop Jr 2026 is “MAP”. The Trop Jr Grand Final will take place in Melbourne in early December 2026. Click HERE to find out more details.
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?
Nope! 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.
Do I need subtitles on my Tropfest film?
If your film includes any language other than English, it must include English subtitles. Separately, all finalist films will be closed captioned for the screening event.
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 and / or re-named.
How do I apply to become a pre-selector?
Please send us your resume and details of your experience to go@tropfest.com, and we’ll add you to our database for consideration. We take the pre-selection process very seriously and ensure our pre-selectors are well qualified. i.e. people with substantial experience in the screen industries.
What happens to my film after Tropfest?
If your film is selected as a finalist, it must premiere at Tropfest, meaning it cannot be publicly screened before the Tropfest event. After that, you are free to submit the film to other festivals or anywhere else. As a finalist, Tropfest retains non-exclusive rights to screen your film in line with our Terms & Conditions, although Tropfest has no ownership in your film. If your film is shortlisted but ultimately 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/s must be an Australian citizen/s or permanent resident on the date of entry for the film to be eligible for competition. However, filmmakers from anywhere in the world may also enter and may be selected to screen “out of competition”. This means their work is presented at the same screening, event and audience, but not eligible for prizes. If you live outside of Sydney and are selected as a finalist, in competition or out of competition, Tropfest will fly you and a guest to Sydney for the event.
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.)?
There is a Tropfest Filmmakers Group on Facebook where you can connect with other entrants to share scripts, find collaborators, and build your team.Check it out HERE
What restrictions do you have on content?
Tropfest welcomes bold storytelling, but we ask filmmakers to use discretion with 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 celebrates human creativity and storytelling. While filmmakers may use AI-powered tools in support of the filmmaking process (for example, for research, transcription, editing assistance, colour grading, sound clean-up, or other production efficiencies), films that substantially rely on generative AI to create core creative elements will not be eligible for entry.
This includes the use of generative AI to create significant portions of a film’s screenplay, performances, dialogue, characters, cinematography, animation, imagery, or other primary storytelling components.

As part of the entry process, all filmmakers will be required to disclose whether and how any AI tools, including generative AI, have been used in the creation of their film. Tropfest reserves the right to request further information and to determine, in its sole discretion, whether a film complies with both the letter and spirit of this policy.
The intention here is not to prohibit filmmakers from using emerging tools, but rather to ensure that Tropfest remains focused on recognising and celebrating original human creativity and storytelling.
Is there an AI-only category at Tropfest?
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.
If there is anything you think we have missed or if you are still not clear on any of the above please do not hesitate to get in touch at go@tropfest.com we are here to help.