Footy Shorts Terms & Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

  • Applicants must be 18+.
  • Applicants, and the majority of team members, must be Victorian residents.
  • At least one team member must have at least one prior short-form documentary or drama credit in their respective role (Producer, Director, Writer) that has been publicly screened.
  • Final projects must be no more than 15 minutes in duration.
  • Projects that will be developed as part of a course of study, or for projects and/or from applicants that will contribute to credits for a course of study are not eligible to apply.
  • Applicants must comply with VicScreen’s Terms of Trade.
  • Content must be suitable for an all-ages audiences.
  • Documentary projects in languages other than English are encouraged.

Submission Details

  • Applicants must submit a short film pitch document that contains:
    • A creative treatment (approx. 2 pages) in response to the brief
    • A short statement regarding participant access (whether secured or unsecured)
    • The proposed timeline
    • The proposed budget and production methodology
    • CVs of all key team members.
  • Please note the AFL can assist with access to clubs. If you are submitting a project based on a club or player, it is not expected that you have secured access prior to submitting your project.
  • Submissions will be assessed on the strength of the idea in relation to the brief and the viability of the proposal to meet the budget and schedule.

Further Information

  • Submissions close 11.59pm, 24 March 2025.
  • Finalists to be announced early April 2025.
  • Finalists to commence shooting May 2025.
  • Completed projects to be delivered early July 2025.
  • Filmmaking teams are encouraged to apply.
  • MIFF takes place from 7–24 August 2025.
  • Entries will be judged by a four-person panel including MIFF, VicScreen and AFL personnel.
  • A total of four finalists will be selected, with an allocation of $20,000 cash production budget per project as well as archive access and distribution from the AFL and MIFF.
  • VicScreen, MIFF and the AFL to host 2 x mentoring workshops for finalists, providing development and production feedback for each project.
  • This competition is free to enter.
  • No feedback will be given.