Focus on Ability Short Film Festival

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Focus on Ability Short Film Festival

A short film festival that is all about promoting the ability of people with disability. Entries close July 1, 2026

For the 14th consecutive year NOVA Employment presents the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival. This festival asks film makers to "Focus on the Ability" of people with a disability and tell a story on film for the world to view. Despite all the challenges we faced in 2021 our film makers continued the push and we had an amazing 265 entries. This has laid the foundations for a 2022 festival which is set to be the biggest yet, and our generous sponsors have donated over $100,000 worth of cash and prizes to encourage film makers and people with disability to tell their stories. In 2009, CEO of NOVA Employment Martin Wren began the festival with a belief in the ability of people with disability, and the goal of bringing that belief to the world through the medium of film. Martin recognised the power of film to challenge people"s fixed beliefs and perceptions about the lives and abilities of people with disability around the world. NOVA, together with Paula Duncan, known for both her success in the Australian film and television industry and passion for supporting people with disability, have worked tirelessly to bring this festival to the world. The Focus on Ability Film Festival is for people of all talent levels with many first time film makers taking out major prizes. Previous years films have been both educational and inspirational and have been viewed in 168 countries across the world and voted on by over 1,000,000 people. Feedback from people who have viewed the films has shown that these entries have the power to change attitudes and challenge perceptions. In 2021, 265 films were entered from 21 countries. The audience capacity is well over 1,000,000 people and continuing to grow, providing unmatched exposure for up and coming film makers and for people with disability to bring their message to the world. Films are judged by a professional judging panel and subject to an online voting process, with separate prizes for each category. For full festival details and to view the over 1,700 films from years past head to www.focusonability.com.au

19/08/2026

🎬 Voting is now open for International films!

The 2026 Focus on Ability Short Film Festival is now open for public voting for this year’s International short films and documentaries.

Audiences around the world are invited to watch the films and vote for their favourites.

You can vote for one film in every category, so be sure to explore the festival and support multiple filmmakers.

👉 Watch and vote now:
https://focusonability.com.au/

Please share the festival with your friends, family and wider community so they can also take part in the public vote.

Australian film voting opens on Friday the 21st.

18/08/2026

Meet Isaac Elliott, one of our 2026 Focus on Ability Film Festival judges! 🎬

Isaac is an AACTA-nominated and three-time Australian Directors Guild-nominated filmmaker whose work brings together empathy, dark humour and characters rarely given space on screen.

Growing up in Alice Springs and living with disability have strongly shaped Isaac’s approach to storytelling. After a motorcycle accident in 2007 left him paraplegic, he turned his attention to filmmaking.

His graduation film, A Static Wind, won Best Tertiary Short Fiction at the 2016 ATOM Awards, while his television work includes The Legend of Burnout Barry and the ABC and Netflix series MaveriX, which he co-created and directed.

Isaac also produced and appeared in the documentary Finke: There and Back and continues to develop bold new projects, including Shafted, a dark comedy set within the mining industry, and Hard as Puck, following Australia’s first Para Ice Hockey team.

We’re proud to have Isaac’s distinctive perspective and fearless approach to storytelling on this year’s judging panel.

11/08/2026

Meet David Cameron, one of our 2026 Focus on Ability Film Festival judges! 🎬

David’s career spans stage, screen, directing and voice performance.

After graduating from NIDA, he became an award-winning actor, performing major roles with the Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company, and appearing in the original Australian production of The Rocky Horror Show.

His film and television credits include Mad Max, My First Wife and the acclaimed mini-series Water Under the Bridge, while his directing work includes SeaChange, Stingers, City Homicide, State Coroner and Good Guys, Bad Guys. He also received an AFI Award for his work on The Wayne Manifesto.

David has also spent many years helping emerging performers and directors develop their craft through the VCA School of Drama, VCA Film and Television School, 16th Street, FTSI and TAFTA.

We’re thrilled to have David bring his incredible depth of experience to this year’s judging panel.

07/08/2026

Meet Niyati Libotte, one of our 2026 Focus on Ability Film Festival judges! 🎬

Niyati is an award-winning director, creative producer and musician whose work is grounded in empathy, impact and giving underrepresented voices the space to be heard.

Her screen credits include directing Growing Home with Jamie Durie, producing Australian Fashion: Past, Present & Future for SBS, and working on the Emmy-winning climate drama Scorched.

Niyati has also made a meaningful contribution to disability storytelling and emerging talent. Her work includes the ABC feature Duncan’s Story, mentoring students through the Academy of Media and Focus on Ability Awards, and developing a biopic about an Australian of the Year.

As a lecturer at AFTRS, she has supported emerging filmmakers through the creation of more than 150 short films. She has also worked with Indigenous young people through the filmmaking program Directing the Hero Within.

Niyati is drawn to films that feel honest, carry a clear point of view and stay with you long after the credits roll. We’re delighted to have that perspective on our 2026 judging panel.

05/08/2026

Meet Nick Hardcastle, one of our 2026 Focus on Ability Film Festival judges! 🎬

Nick is a performer, writer, producer and recording artist whose career has taken him across Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Australian audiences may recognise him from programs including Home and Away, All Saints, Saturday Disney, Video Hits, Changi, Rollercoaster and Pizza. His stage work includes productions such as Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical, Ruben Guthrie, Alice in Wonderland and many more.

His film credits include Love and Penguins, The Truth About Taro, Boytown, Liquid Bridge and 12 Pound Balls. For the latter, Nick also won Best Original Composition at the Portland International Comedy Film Festival for his song One Champion.

Nick has released music through ABC Music, Shock Records, Universal and Warner, with his self-titled album named among the Sydney Morning Herald’s top albums of its release year.

We’re delighted to welcome Nick and his wide-ranging creative experience to the 2026 judging panel.

03/08/2026

Meet Lisa Duff, one of our 2026 Focus on Ability Film Festival judges! 🎬

For more than 20 years, Lisa has helped bring bold and memorable Australian stories to the screen.

Her producing credits include Last Train to Freo, Last Cab to Darwin, starring Michael Caton and Academy Award nominee Jacki Weaver, and UnIndian, the first feature financed by the Australia India Film Fund.

Lisa has also produced documentaries and dramas for SBS, ABC and Discovery Channel, including Sexing the Label, The Future Makers, Road and Leah Purcell’s Aunty Maggie and the Womba Wakgun.

Alongside her creative work, Lisa holds a Juris Doctor and completed a master’s thesis examining the influence of the global film industry on Australian filmmaking culture. She also spent five years at Screen Australia overseeing the development and investment of feature film and television projects.

We’re excited to have Lisa’s sharp creative eye and wealth of industry knowledge on this year’s judging panel.

22/06/2026

🎬 There’s Still Time to Make a Film! 🎬

Entries for the 2026 Festival close on 1 July — and if you’ve been thinking about entering, this is your sign to start. Anyone in the world can enter.

Don’t let the calendar fool you. Some of our most memorable and award-winning films have been conceived, shot, and edited in as little as 24 hours. A great story, a passionate team, and a willingness to give it a go can be all you need.

Now is the perfect time to reach out, collaborate, and bring people together. Whether you're a filmmaker, actor, writer, editor, student, community group, or someone with a story to tell, there are people out there looking for creative partners right now.

🎥 Find a collaborator.
🎥 Share your idea.
🎥 Pick up a camera.
🎥 Make something meaningful.

The most important thing isn't having a huge budget or months of production time — it's taking the first step.

Entries close 1 July.
There’s still time. Your story could be the one we’re celebrating this year.

www.focusonability.com

19/06/2026

🎬 We are thrilled to welcome Antony Talia as a mentor for the 2026 Festival Prize Program!

One of the most valuable aspects of our festival prizes is the opportunity for emerging filmmakers to connect directly with experienced industry professionals. Mentorship provides more than advice—it offers insight, guidance, real-world experience, and the kind of support that can help shape the next stage of a creative career.

Antony Talia is a documentary filmmaker and nonprofit storyteller whose work sits at the intersection of art and advocacy.

As the founder of Sonda Cre8tiv, he creates story-driven video content for mission-driven organizations. His work brings the kind of depth and humanity usually reserved for film, to the work of nonprofits on the ground.

He also serves as the head of content and communications for The Roland Center. TRC is a nonprofit dedicated to serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

His most recent project, ‘The Last Stamp’, is a short documentary about TRC resident Koji Okamoto. The film has since commenced a slate of national screenings and become a resource for IDD organizations and advocates of person-centered care nationwide.

Before his current roles, Antony built an independent career as an award-winning filmmaker, theatre producer, and actor across stage and screen. This creative foundation continues to inform every story he tells.

We are incredibly grateful to have Antony sharing his knowledge, experience, and passion with our prize winners. His commitment to authentic storytelling and creating meaningful impact through film makes him an exceptional addition to our mentor team.

Please join us in welcoming Antony Talia to the 2026 Festival! 👏

17/06/2026

🌟 Mentor Announcement – Daisy Friedman 🌟

One of the most valuable opportunities we can offer emerging filmmakers isn't just recognition—it's access.

Industry mentorship can be transformative, providing invaluable guidance, professional insight, creative feedback, and connections that help filmmakers take the next step in their careers. That's why we're thrilled to welcome Daisy Friedman as a mentor for our 2026 Festival Prize Program.

Daisy Friedman is a writer and director based in New York City. A multi-organ transplant recipient, she creates work that explores the intersections of tradition, intimacy, embodiment, and disability. Her short film Unholy (2024) premiered at Sundance 2025 before screening at SXSW. Her previous short, As You Are (2023), screened at prestigious film festivals such as Frameline, Inside Out, Outfest, and The Chicago International Film Festival. The film won multiple awards, including the U.S. Narrative Short Grand Jury Prize Special Mention at Outfest 2023 and the NewFest35 Emerging Filmmaker Award. Daisy’s work has been featured in Deadline, Variety, The Advocate, and Out Magazine. She received the 2023 Colin Higgins Youth Foundation Grant and was a Winter/Spring resident at the Woodward Artist Residency. Daisy was also a 2025 New York Film Festival Artist Academy Fellow and is currently a 2025–2026 UFO Filmmaker Lab participant. She is a graduate of Barnard College’s Film Studies program.

We are incredibly excited for one of our festival participants to gain direct access to Daisy's experience, insight, and creative mentorship. Opportunities like these can make a lasting impact on an emerging filmmaker's journey, and we're proud to continue connecting our community with world-class industry professionals.

Please join us in welcoming Daisy Friedman to the 2026 Festival!

Address

St Marys, NSW

Telephone

+61288865800

Website

http://www.focusonability.com.au/

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