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Thank you to all 80 entrants in the 2026 Benalla Shorts Film Festival. And thank you again to our Judges Krista Vendy and Bruce Hunt-Hughes for outstanding efforts in judging the competition. Finalists for the 2026 Benalla Shorts Film Festival are;
         Click on images to view posters of finalists' films. Finalists announced - October 1st, 2026.
Awards Ceremony - Sunday November 8 at 2 pm. JUDGES AWARDS BEST AUSTRALIAN FILM $1,500.00 BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM $500.00 LOCAL AWARD (within 150 Km of Benalla) $500.00 STUDENT AWARD $500.00 BEST DOCUMENTARY $500.00 BEST PERFORMANCE. $200.00 The Kevin Perry ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD $250.00 PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD $250.00  The Violet Town screening of the #BenallaShortFilmFestival on February 14th was warmly received, with strong local attendance and positive feedback from the audience.
The program sparked engagement and conversation highlighting the festival's continued ability to connect regional communities through film. ... Special thanks to our film judge #BruceHuntHughes whose thoughtful insights and experience added a real depth to the experience. BEST STUDENT FILM $500
“Stonewall” by Lily Lunder & Koko Crozier Sponsored by Benalla Rotary Club BEST LOCAL FILM $250 “Koala-fied to Survive” by Hayley Warnock Sponsored by Benalla Bowls Club BEST DOCUMENTARY $500 “Women of the Waves” by Han Soo Yoo Sponsored by The Willow Award KEVIN PERRY ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD $250 'Aurora Australis' by Rene Martens Sponsored by Laurie Watters and Associates BEST PERFORMANCE $200 Steve Bastoni in “The Mediator" Sponsored by North East Podiatry PEOPLE’S CHOICE $250 Hayley Warnock Sponsored by Benalla Travel BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM $500 “Hold” by Josiah Junqueira Spencer Sponsored by Anna Greenhalgh JUDGES AWARD - BEST AUSTRALIAN FILM $1,000 “Human Resources” by Joel Stephen Fleming Sponsored by Benalla Businesses The Benalla Shorts 2025 Program has been released, and with it the welcoming Director's Message from Anna Smith... "We are so honoured and excited to have been Nominated for the Victoria Community Achievement Award for 2 years in row. This our 11th year bringing Benalla and district unique thought-provoking short films. Screen culture tells stories that allow us to connect with one another, and to better understand ourselves and each other. We are thrilled to welcome back our fantastic judges, Krista Vendy and Bruce Hunt-Hughes for another exciting year. They have navigated a busy season with many film entries. Out of the 87 films submitted, we are delighted to bring you the top 10 films to enjoy. The Benalla Shorts Team would like to thank the local businesses that have contributed and the local community for their continued support for allowing us to grow for the last 11 years." Anna Smith "Women of the Waves" (5:06), Director Han Soo Yoo, Victoria
"The Pomegranate" (13:40), Director Mehrdad Jalali, Iran "Stonewall" (5:00), Directors Lily Lunder & Koko Crozier, Victoria "The Mediator" (11:45), Director Roman Anastasios, Victoria "A Culinary of Errors" (6:33), Director Sherree Dawn Halliwell, Victoria "Koala-fied to Survive" (12:17), Director Hayley Warnock, Victoria "The Story Of Angelique" (3:24), Director Jessica Cross, Queensland "Aurora Australis" (3:05), Director Rene Martens, Victoria "Hold" (14:45), Director Josiah Junqueira Spencer, U.S.A. "Human Resources" (12:03), Director Joel Stephen Fleming, Queensland JUDGES AWARD for BEST AUSTRALIAN $1,000.00
and BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM $500.00 LOCAL AWARD (within 100 Km of Benalla) $250.00 PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD $250.00 STUDENT AWARD $500.00 BEST DOCUMENTARY $500.00 BEST PERFORMANCE. $200.00 The Kevin Perry ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD $250.00 Kevin Perry retired from the Victoria State Emergency Service in July 2007 after 31 years dealing with emergency situations and natural disasters.
Without Kevin’s generous spirit, big heart and enormous efforts the Benalla Short Film Festival would not exist today. KP was not only my friend but he was my mentor, he shared my dedication and passion in creating an international event and together we worked through all the issues that would arise. Nothing would stand in his way, not even COVID 19 when he suggested we take the Festival online. As usual he was absolutely right. This decision meant that we could proceed and fulfil all our obligations to the film makers and sponsors. Kevin was diagnosed with MND (Motor Neurone Disease) in 2023 and passed away in May 2024. He was determined to do all he could for as long as he could. Kevin would champion the little guy and he was a firm believer in reward for effort. That’s why we have created the Category 'The Kevin Perry Encouragement Award' in his honour. Anna Smith At 2pm on Sunday 14 September an Encore Screening of Benalla Shorts 2024 was Screened at the Violet Town Community Hall. Sunday the 10 November 2024 was the 10th annual Benalla Short Film Festival and is like the genre itself- short, subtle, stimulating, and spectacular for national and international films. A happy crowd of film lovers, film makers, producers, actors and sponsors were wowed by the quality and diversity of the 9 films shortlisted by the esteemed judges both with Hollywood experience, Krista Vendy – BSFF judge since 2019, was joined by judge Bruce Hunt-Hughes in2024, Judges 2025. Along with the 9 films on offer at the Violet Town Community Hall on Sunday 14 September, we will screen “Gitar” by Jack Rintoul, staring Bruce Hunt-Hughes.
Krista Vendy and Bruce Hunt-Hughes are returning to judge the Benalla Shorts films in 2025.
Michael Raso - Highlights from the 10th Annual National and International Benalla Shorts Film Festival 2024
Finalists for the 2026 Benalla Short Film Festival. Thank you to all 80 entrants in the 2026 Benalla Shorts Film Festival. And thank you again to our Judges Krista Vendy and Bruce Hunt-Hughes for outstanding efforts in judging the competition. Finalists for the 2026 Benalla Shorts Film Festival are;
Anna Smith is presented with the Benalla Shorts Nomination Certificate at the Community Achievements Award Gala in Melbourne on December 13, 2024. After the enthusiastically received screenings of the 2024 Benalla Shorts Film Festival today, we have great pleasure announcing the 2024 Festival Award Winners;
Thank you to our Judges Krista Vendy and Bruce Hunt-Hughes, and to the total 76 submissions in this year's festival.
The Benalla Shorts 2024 Program has been released, and with it the welcoming Director's Message from Anna Smith... "Welcome to the 10th National & International Benalla Short Film Festival 2024. Benalla Shorts embraces national and international film makers across all age groups and walks of life. We are so honoured and excited to have been Nominated for the Victoria Community Achievement Award 2024 in this our 10th year bringing Benalla and district unique thought provoking short films. Our screen industry tells stories that allow us to connect with one another, and to better understand ourselves and each other. Of the 76 films entered, the judges have selected nine finalists for this year’s Festival, with one bonus film from Writer/Director Jack Rintoul, starring our very own new judge Bruce Hunt-Hughes. We have also introduced a new category this year in honour of my dear friend and colleague Kevin Perry (Page 7). The Benalla Shorts Team would like to thank the local community for their continued support for allowing us to grow for the last 10 years. Sit back, relax and enjoy Benalla Shorts Film Festival 2024. Anna Smith" Thank you to all 76 entrants in the 2024 Benalla Shorts Film Festival. And thank you to our Judges Krista Vendy and Bruce Hunt-Hughes for their efforts in judging the competition.
Finalists for the 2024 Benalla Shorts Film Festival are;
There will be two screenings on Sunday November 10 at the Benalla Cinema 14 Mair Street Benalla. The Premiere Screening at 3pm will be followed by a Second Screening at 6.30pm. Prior to the Screening a short film Gitar will be screened featuring our judge Bruce Hunt-Hughes. Purchase tickets for the 6.30pm screening online at www.benallacinema.com.au or purchase at the Benalla Cinema, Mair Street Benalla. |
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