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
- 2 x 1hr sessions with Tsu Shan Chambers / WiseGoat Productions
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Diversity Pictures CEO & Founder Jessica Orcsik
- 2 x 1hr Career coaching sessions with Director Isaac Elliot
- 1 x 1hr Career Session with Award Winning Australian Producer Judi Levine from Such Much Films
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
- 2 x 1hr Group Career Sessions with Niyati Libotte
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 Gil Seltzer
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Diversity Pictures CEO & Founder Jessica Orcsik
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Alyssa Stratton
Best Actor in Short Film
Winner
- 2 x 1hr career sessions with Nicole Lynne Evans
- 2 x 1hr career sessions with Danny Gomez
- 2 x 1hr career sessions with Travis Jeffrey
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Acting Coach & Producer Robbie Ryde
- 2 x 1hr career sessions with ER Ruiz
- Featured guest spot on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
Judges Choice - Best Director
Winner
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Director & Producer Daisy Friedman
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Director Isaac Elliot
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Director Tony Gardiner
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 / Diversity Pictures
- 2 x 1hr sessions with Tsu Shan Chambers / WiseGoat Productions
- Featured guest spot on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
- 2 x 1hr Career Coaching sessions with Nick Hardcastle
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Producer Brian Altourian
- 1 x 1hr Career Session with Award Winning Australian Producer Judi Levine from Such Much Films
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 Acting Coach & Producer Robbie Ryde
Judges Choice - Official Selection Documentary
Winner
- Toshiba Package
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Director & Producer Antony Talia
Most Online Votes - (Short Film or Documentary)
Winner
- $5000
Best Teen Actor in a Short Film
Winner
- 2 x 1hr career sessions with Nicole Lynne Evans
- 2 x 1hr career sessions with Danny Gomez
- 2 x 1hr career sessions with Travis Jeffrey
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Acting Coach & Producer Robbie Ryde
- 2 x 1hr career sessions with ER Ruiz
NOVA Employment School Choice Awards
7x Winner's
- $1000
International Section (Outside of Australia)
Judges Choice - Official Selection Short Film
Winner
- $5,000 AUD
- Featured guest spot on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
- 2 x 1hr Career Coaching sessions with Nick Hardcastle
- 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Producer Brian Altourian
- 1 x 1hr Career Session with Award Winning Australian Producer Judi Levine from Such Much Films
Judges Choice - Official Selection Documentary
Winner
- $5,000 AUD
- 2 x 1hr Group Career Sessions with Sarah Barton
- 2 x 1hr Group Career Sessions with Niyati Libotte
Most International Online Votes
Winner
- $5000