It’s official: the wait is over. After a seven-year hiatus and more than 700 incredible submissions from across the globe, we are thrilled to unveil our top 15 finalists. This select group will be joined by one final filmmaker chosen via our Tropfest YouTube Wildcard Competition, which is running right now and you can have your say for who should make the cut!

From breathtaking animation to sharp noir comedy - and everything in between - these 15 filmmakers have delivered profound, hilarious, and technically stunning mini-masterpieces. 

The sheer level of talent this year made the selection process incredibly difficult; we want to extend a sincere thank you to every storyteller who picked up a camera and shared their vision with us.

  • Communicate

    Frazier Brockett
    COMEDY

    Two detectives, One criminal. 20 Guesses, One Turn.

  • Crescendo

    Crescendo

    Lianne Mackessy
    DRAMA

    A new mother’s babysitting plans fall through on the morning of an audition for a career-defining role.

  • Eat Now Pay Later

    Eat Now Pay Later

    Dimitri Ellerington
    DOCO

    Somewhere in England brave souls line up to take on this year's fiery chilli crop.

  • Faker

    Faker

    Clare Sladden
    COMEDY

    When a woman starts to suspect her boyfriend’s ex is faking cancer to win him back, she tries desperately to hold onto the relationship.

  • Gazers

    Gazers

    Veialu Aila-Unsworth & Sze Lok Ho
    COMEDY

    A fairytale about three women of colour forced into absurd stereotypes by a magical curse infecting men — “the male gaze” — until one man’s transformation offers a different way of seeing.

  • I'm Still Here

    I'm Still Here

    Catho D'Souza
    THRILLER / HORROR

    To cope with the loss of her sister, Avanya impersonates her in an effort to keep her spirit alive, becoming lost in the reality of who she truly is.

  • No Thank You

    No Thank You

    DescripGeorgina Haig
    COMEDY

    After the heartbreak of another miscarriage, sculptor Daphne loses the ability to say 'Thank you' and her world begins to crumble. She throws herself into a new work, one that represents her body and her grief. Then, just as the consequences of being a thankless social outcast threaten to completely overwhelm her, her sculpture wins a coveted award. Now Daphne must face a new challenge, one to herself and her art.

  • Project Hourglass

    Project Hourglass

    Benjamin Mathews
    ACTION / COMEDY

    When Jacob, a man presumed dead, reappears three years after leaping from a bridge claiming to be part of a secret government program, his fiancé Katie must decide whether to believe his wild claims - or get him some help.

  • Ring Around

    Ring Around

    Sisi Stringer
    DRAMA

    George races through a hilarious checklist of phone calls, but the humour collapses when his last conversation reveals the news he’s terrified to share.

  • Silent Night

    Silent Night

    Nicky Tyndale-Biscoe
    DRAMA

    When ‘Buses replace trains’ on December 24, well-heeled G.P. Sam is dumped at a lonely bus exchange in an unknown suburb. Her fading Christmas spirit will be tested tonight...

  • SYD CONFIDENTIAL

    SYD CONFIDENTIAL

    Clinton J. Isle
    ANIMATION

    A private detective follows a trail of “clues” across Sydney, blurring reality and imagination in a playful noir comedy about stories we cling to and the resilience to keep going.

  • The End

    The End

    Sean Bayles
    ANIMATION

    Lost, among the sands of time, our protagonist looks for a way out.

  • Tilly

    Tilly

    Luke Mayze
    DRAMA

    A grieving widower, resistant to his late wife's dog, slowly reconnects with the outside world through Tilly's persistent companionship.

  • Unprompted

    Unprompted

    Stephen Packer
    COMEDY/THRILLER

    A desperate horror screenwriter turns to AI for inspiration, only to realise it’s writing him into the role of the victim.

  • We Don't Take Breaks

    We Don't Take Breaks

    Jasper Sharpe
    THRILLER

    A deep-thinking hospo worker narrates his everyday grind dealing with a relentless boss, until a deranged ex-employee returns, sparking a spiral of chaos.