2025 Prizes


NOVA EMPLOYMENT CHOICE AWARD

  • Winner - Brand New Toyota Corolla courtesy of NOVA Employment and Noble Toyota

    * Australian submissions only. The NOVA Employment team select their favourite entry in the 2025 festival that best suits the Focus on Ability theme.

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    AUSTRALIAN OPEN SECTION

    Judges Choice - Official Selection Short Film

    Winner
    - $5,000
    - 4 x 1hr Career Sessions with Jessica Orcsik from Diversity Pictures
    - 2 x 1hr Sessions with Tsu Shan Chambers from WiseGoat Productions
    - 2 x 1hr Sessions with Lisa Duff from EQ Media Group
    - 2x 1hr Career Sessions with Isaac Elliott (3 x Australian Directors Guild (ADG) nominee Australian film and television director)
    - 2 x 1hr Mentoring Session with Award Winning Australian Producer Judi Levine
    - Featured guest on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
    - Featured guest on Meet The Biz Podcast

    Judges Choice - Official Selection Documentary

    Winner
    - $5,000
    - Create Your Own Content Course with AAFTA 2026
    - 2 x 1hr Group Career Sessions with Sarah Barton (Logie Award winning filmmaker)
    - 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Ruth Cullen (AFI/AACTA Documentary Award Winner)
    - 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Niyati Libotte
    - Featured guest on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
    - Featured guest on Meet The Biz Podcast

    Most Online Votes - (Short Film or Documentary)

    Winner
    - $5000
    - Create Your Own Content Course with AAFTA 2026

    Judges Choice - Best Screen Writer

    Winner
    - 2 x 1hr Screenwriting mentorship with Sarah Elizabeth Fahey (Writer and Executive)
    - 2 x 1hr Screenwriting mentorship with Sarah Barton (Logie Award winning filmmaker)
    - 2 x 1hr Writing & Mentoring Sessions with Kimberly Cooper
    - 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Jessica Orcsik from Diversity Pictures

    Best Actor in Short Film

    Winner
    - 2 x 1hr One on One Sessions with Robbie Ryde CEO of AAFTA
    - A Career Consult Meeting with Diversity Creative Management
    - 2 x 1hr Mentoring Sessions with Award winner and American Actress Rachel Handler
    - 2 x 1hr Career Coaching Sessions with Nick Hardcastle (Australian entertainer and media personality)
    - 1hr Acting Coaching Session with David S. Zimmerman
    - Featured guest on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
    - Featured guest on Meet The Biz Podcast

    Judges Choice - Best Director

    Winner
    - 2x 1hr Career Sessions with Canadian Filmmaker Lucy McNulty
    - 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Jessica Orcsik from Diversity Pictures
    - 2x 1hr Career Sessions with Isaac Elliott (3 x Australian Directors Guild (ADG) nominee Australian film and television director)
    - Featured guest on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
    - Featured guest on Meet The Biz Podcast

    Best Producer Australia Award - (Short Film or Documentary)

    Winner
    - 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Jessica Orcsik from Diversity Pictures
    - 2 x 1hr Sessions with Tsu Shan Chambers from WiseGoat Productions
    - 2 x 1hr Session with Lisa Duff from EQ Media Group
    - 2 x 1hr Mentoring Sessions with Award Winning Australian Producer Judi Levine
    - 2x 1hr Career Sessions with Canadian Filmmaker Lucy McNulty



    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 TV and Sound Bar package- Valued at $7,298
    - 2 x 1hr or 1x 2hr Session with Robbie Ryde CEO of AAFTA
    - Featured guest on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
    - Featured guest on Meet The Biz Podcast

    Judges Choice - Official Selection Documentary

    Winner
    - Toshiba Package worth $7,500
    - Create Your Own Content Course with AAFTA 2026
    - 2 x 1hr Group Career Sessions with Niyati Libotte
    - 2 x 1hr Group Career Sessions with Sarah Barton (Logie Award winning filmmaker)
    - 2 x 1hr Career Sessions with Ruth Cullen (AFI/AACTA Documentary Award Winner)

    Most Online Votes (Short Film or Documentary)

    Winner
    - $5,000
    - Create Your Own Content Course with AAFTA 2026.

    Best Teen Actor in a Short Film

    Winner
    - 2 x 1hr One on One Sessions with Robbie Ryde CEO of AAFTA
    - 2 x 1hr Mentoring Sessions with Award winner and American Actress Rachel Handler
    - 2 x 1hr Career Coaching Sessions with Nick Hardcastle (Australian entertainer and media personality)
    - 1 x Career Consult Meeting with Diversity Creative Management
    - 1x 1hr Acting Coaching with David S. Zimmerman
    - Featured guest on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
    - Featured guest on Meet The Biz Podcast

    NOVA Employment School Choice Awards

  • 7x Winner's - $1000

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    INTERNATIONAL SECTION (Outside of Australia)

    Judges Choice - Official Selection Short Film

    Winner
    - $5,000 AUD
    - One on One Session with Robbie Ryde CEO of AAFTA
    - 2 Career Sessions with Jessica Orcsik from Diversity Pictures
    - Featured guest on Meet The Biz Podcast
    - Featured guest on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos

    Runner Up - Create Your Own Content Course with AAFTA 2026

    Judges Choice - Official Selection Documentary

    Winner
    - $5,000 AUD
    - Create Your Own Content Course with AAFTA 2026
    - Featured guest on Let Me Talk Podcast with Zoe Markos
    - Featured guest with Meet The Biz Podcast

    Runner Up - Create Your Own Content Course with AAFTA 2026

    Most International Online Votes

    Winner
    - $5,000 AUD
    - Create Your Own Content Course with AAFTA 2026

    Runner Up - Create Your Own Content Course with AAFTA 2026