2026 Prize List
List of prizes awarded to the winners of the 2026 Focus on Ability Film FestivalÂ
Nova Employment Choice Award
Winner and Prize Details - To be confirmed
- Australian submissions only. At NOVA Employment's discretion, the award may be presented either to the filmmaker or to the person featured in the winning film, in recognition of their contribution to promoting ability and inclusion.
Australian Open Section
Judges Choice - Official Selection Short Film
Winner
- AUD $5,000 cash prize
- Diversity Pictures Development Mentorship
- Featured Guest appearance on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
- Two one-hour career sessions with Director and Producer Daisy Friedman, valued at USD $200
- Two one-hour career sessions with Canadian filmmaker Lucy McNulty, valued at USD $500
- Two one-hour sessions with Tsu Shan Chambers of WiseGoat Productions, valued at AUD $500
- Two one-hour career sessions with Diversity Pictures CEO and Founder Jessica Orcsik, valued at USD $500
- Two one-hour career sessions with Director Isaac Elliot, valued at USD $200
- One one-hour mentoring session with award-winning Australian producer Judi Levine of Such Much Films, valued at USD $250
Judges Choice - Official Selection Documentary
Winner
- AUD $5,000 cash prize
- Two one-hour career sessions with Director and Producer Antony Talia, valued at USD $400
- Two one-hour group career sessions with Sarah Barton, valued at USD $400
- Featured guest appearance on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
- Two one-hour career sessions with Niyati Libotte, valued at USD $200
- Two one-hour career sessions with Tahyna MacManus, valued at USD $200
- Two one-hour career sessions with Bryanna Reynolds, valued at USD $200
Most Online Votes - (Short Film or Documentary)
Winner
- AUD $5,000 Cash Prize
Judges Choice - Best Screen Writer
Winner
- Two one-hour screenwriting mentorship sessions with Sarah Barton, valued at USD $500
- Two one-hour screenwriting mentorship sessions with Gil Seltzer, valued at USD $500
- Two one-hour career sessions with Diversity Pictures CEO and Founder Jessica Orcsik, valued at USD $500
- Two one-hour career sessions with Alyssa Stratton, valued at USD $500
- Two one-hour career sessions with Travis Jeffery, valued at USD $500
Best Actor in Short Film
Winner
- Two one-hour career sessions with Nicole Lynne Evans, valued at USD $500
- Two one-hour career sessions with Danny Gomez, valued at USD $500
- Two one-hour career sessions with Acting Coach and Producer Robbie Ryde, valued at USD $500
- Two one-hour career sessions with ER Ruiz, valued at USD $500
- Featured guest appearance on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
- One one-hour career coaching session with Nicole MacNaughton of Untamed Talent
- Two one-hour career sessions with Casting Director, Director and Producer Russell Boast, valued at USD $500
Judges Choice - Best Director
Winner
- Two one-hour career sessions with Director and Producer Daisy Friedman, valued at USD $200
- Two one-hour career sessions with Director Isaac Elliot, valued at USD $200
- Two one-hour career sessions with Director Tony Gardiner, valued at USD $500
- Featured guest spot on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
Best Producer Australia Award - (Short Film or Documentary)
Winner
- Two one-hour career sessions with Canadian filmmaker Lucy McNulty, valued at USD $500
- Two one-hour sessions with Tsu Shan Chambers of WiseGoat Productions, valued at AUD $500
- Two one-hour career sessions with Diversity Pictures CEO and Founder Jessica Orcsik, valued at USD $500
- Two one-hour career coaching sessions with Nick Hardcastle, valued at USD $200
- Two one-hour career sessions with producer Brian Altounian, valued at USD $500
- One one-hour mentoring session with award-winning Australian producer Judi Levine of Such Much Films, valued at USD $250
- One one-hour career coaching session with Nicole MacNaughton of Untamed Talent
- Featured guest appearance on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
NOVA Employment Australian Choice Awards
Five awards
- AUD $500 each
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Australian & New Zealand School Section
Judges Choice - Official Selection Short Film
Winner
- LG Product Package
- Two one-hour mentoring sessions with Acting Coach and Producer Robbie Ryde, valued at USD $500
Judges Choice - Official Selection Documentary
Winner
- Toshiba Product Package
- Two one-hour career sessions with Director and Producer Antony Talia, valued at USD $400
Most Online Votes - (Short Film or Documentary)
Winner
- AUD $5,000 cash prize
Best Teen Actor in a Short Film
Winner
- Two one-hour career sessions with Nicole Lynne Evans, valued at USD $500
- Two one-hour career sessions with Danny Gomez, valued at USD $500
- Two one-hour career sessions with Travis Jeffery, valued at USD $500
- Two one-hour career sessions with Acting Coach and Producer Robbie Ryde, valued at USD $500
- Two one-hour career sessions with ER Ruiz, valued at USD $500
- One one-hour career coaching session with Katie McGrath of Arise Artists Agency
NOVA Employment School Choice Awards
Seven Awards
- AUD $1,000 each
International Section (Outside of Australia)
Judges Choice - Official Selection Short Film
Winner
- AUD $5,000 cash prize
- Featured guest appearance on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
- Two one-hour career coaching sessions with Nick Hardcastle, valued at USD $200
- Two one-hour career sessions with producer Brian Altounian, valued at USD $500
- One one-hour mentoring session with award-winning Australian producer Judi Levine of Such Much Films, valued at USD $250
- Two one-hour career sessions with Casting Director, Director and Producer Russell Boast, valued at USD $500
- One one-hour career coaching session with Katie McGrath of Arise Artists Agency
Judges Choice - Official Selection Documentary
Winner
- AUD $5,000 cash prize
- Two one-hour group career sessions with Sarah Barton, valued at USD $400
- Two one-hour career sessions with Niyati Libotte, valued at USD $200
- Two one-hour career sessions with Tahyna MacManus, valued at USD $200
- Two one-hour career sessions with Bryanna Reynolds, valued at USD $200
- Featured Guest on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
Most International Online Votes
Winner
- AUD $5,000 cash prize