2026 Prize List
List of prizes awarded to the winners of the 2026 Focus on Ability Film FestivalÂ
Nova Employment Choice Award
Winner - 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
- $5,000
- Diversity Pictures Development Mentorship
- Featured Guest appearance on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Director & Producer Daisy Friedman
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Canadian filmmaker Lucy McNulty
Judges Choice - Official Selection Documentary
Winner
- $5,000
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Director & Producer Antony Talia
- 2 x 1hr Group Career Sessions with Sarah Barton
- Featured Guest appearance on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
Most Online Votes - (Short Film or Documentary)
Winner
- $5000
Judges Choice - Best Screen Writer
Winner
- 2 x 1hr Screenwriting Mentorship Sessions with Sarah Barton
- 2 x 1hr Screenwriting Mentorship Sessions with Jessica Orcsik
Best Actor in Short Film
Winner
- 1hr Meet & Greet / Business Mentorship Session with Casting Director Cinzia Coassin
Judges Choice - Best Director
Winner
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Director & Producer Daisy Friedman
Best Producer Australia Award - (Short Film or Documentary)
Winner
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Canadian filmmaker Lucy McNulty
- 2 x 1hr Career Mentorship Session with Jessica Orcsik
NOVA Employment Australian Choice Awards
5x Winner's
- $500
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Australian & New Zealand School Section
Judges Choice - Official Selection Short Film
Winner
- LG package
- 2 x 1hr Mentoring Sessions with Director, DP and Coach Robbie Ryde
Judges Choice - Official Selection Documentary
Winner
- Toshiba Package
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Antony Talia
- 2 x 1hr Group Career Sessions with Sarah Barton
Most Online Votes - (Short Film or Documentary)
Winner
- $5000
Best Teen Actor in a Short Film
Winner
- 1 x 1hr Meet & Greet / Business Mentorship Session with Casting Director Cinzia Coassin
NOVA Employment School Choice Awards
7x Winner's
- $1000
International Section (Outside of Australia)
Judges Choice - Official Selection Short Film
Winner
- $5,000 AUD
Judges Choice - Official Selection Documentary
Winner
- $5,000 AUD
Most International Online Votes
Winner
- $5000