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
- 2x 1hr Career Sessions with Emmy Nominated Cinematographer and Director Tony Gardner
- 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)
- 1 x 1hr Mentorship with Award Winning Actor Travis Jeffery
- 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)
- 2x 1hr Career Sessions with Emmy Nominated Cinematographer and Director Tony Gardner
- 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 1hr Mentorship with Award Winning Actor Travis Jeffery
- 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