AFIN International Film Festival

The 2026 Festival

68 films · 21 awards · 105 nominations · 17 countries

AFIN Wrapped The 2026 festival, in one magazine edition Read the 2026 wrap →

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The 2026 Official Trailer

Winners

From the Judges
A gentle, emotionally resonant drama that finds real meaning in simplicity, this short unfolds through restrained, deeply human performances and unhurried, thoughtful direction. The cinematography carries a soft, nostalgic warmth, and the interwoven storylines build a quiet study of connection, legacy, and purpose in seemingly small actions.
on Something Pointless →
Poster for A Boy And His Pub, written by Connor Smith, AFIN 2026

Best Feature Screenplay · Connor Smith

A Boy And His Pub

Written by Connor Smith · 109pp

Poster for Bingo Man, directed by Chris Beadnell, AFIN 2026

Best Youth Performance · Scarlett Monks

Bingo Man

Directed by Chris Beadnell · Australia · 18m 0s

Poster for Dear Moon, directed by Aimee Dunn, AFIN 2026

Best Student Narrative Short Form · Yufeng Liu

Dear Moon

Directed by Aimee Dunn · Australia · 12m 6s

Poster for FAL: Fatal Act of Love, directed by Polina Kino, AFIN 2026

Best Supporting Performance · Daniil Kino

FAL: Fatal Act of Love

Directed by Polina Kino · Ukraine · 17m 40s

Poster for How To Talk Australians, directed by Tony Rogers, AFIN 2026

Best Feature Film · Victoria Schaw, Jason Byrne

Best Art Direction

How To Talk Australians

Directed by Tony Rogers · Australia, India · 1h 15m 0s

Poster for Marbles, directed by Simona Varga, Owen Smith, AFIN 2026

Best Australian Lead Performance · Simona Varga

Marbles

Directed by Simona Varga, Owen Smith · Australia · 8m 21s

Poster for My Soul Is in a Hurry, directed by Giuseppe Contarino, AFIN 2026

Best Documentary Feature · Marco Faldetta

My Soul Is in a Hurry

Directed by Giuseppe Contarino · Italy · 1h 14m 0s

Poster for Red River Cowboy, directed by Grace Wriggles, AFIN 2026

Best Cinematography · David Aponas

Best Australian Supporting Performance · Mitchell Cox

Red River Cowboy

Directed by Grace Wriggles · Australia · 17m 30s

Poster for Rotate, directed by Les Zig, AFIN 2026

Best Australian Micro Short Film · Ana Isabel Wall, Greg Pandelidis

Best Film Editing · Stuart Jaymes

Rotate

Directed by Les Zig · Australia · 7m 0s

Poster for Scary lullaby, directed by Daria Lebedeva, AFIN 2026

Best Director · Daria Lebedeva

Scary lullaby

Directed by Daria Lebedeva · Russia · 24m 42s

Poster for Something Pointless, directed by Asa Bailey, AFIN 2026

Best International Short Film · David Cormican, Shawn Christensen, Brenden Hubbard, Damon Russell, Dwayne Hill

Best Lead Performance · Owen Teale

Something Pointless

Directed by Asa Bailey · UK · 14m 21s

Poster for Sound of the Somme, directed by Michaël Vermaercke, AFIN 2026

Best Sound & Music · Benjamien Lycke, Nick Leyers

Sound of the Somme

Directed by Michaël Vermaercke · Belgium · 12m 35s

Poster for Stay, written by INDY DAVIES, AFIN 2026

Best Short Screenplay · INDY DAVIES

Stay

Written by INDY DAVIES · 43pp

Poster for Telephone, directed by Soheil Karimi Kandi, AFIN 2026

Best International Micro Short Film · Mohammad Gharakhanlou

Telephone

Directed by Soheil Karimi Kandi · Iran · 8m 21s

Poster for The Comfort Dogs of Uganda, directed by Richard Wainwright, AFIN 2026

Best Documentary Short Subject · Richard Wainwright

The Comfort Dogs of Uganda

Directed by Richard Wainwright · Australia · 29m 55s

Poster for The Immortal Divide, directed by Nipan Chawcharernpon, J.R. De Ford, AFIN 2026

Best Visual Effects · Nipan Chawcharernpon

The Immortal Divide

Directed by Nipan Chawcharernpon, J.R. De Ford · Thailand · 10m 0s

Poster for They Kill By Night, directed by Grace Uther, Sam Uther, AFIN 2026

Best Australian Short Film · Grace Uther

They Kill By Night

Directed by Grace Uther, Sam Uther · Australia · 16m 46s

Performances

These awards honour a performer rather than a film. Each name links to their AFIN page; the film beneath is the work the performance is in.

Best Australian Lead Performance

Best Australian Supporting Performance

Best Lead Performance

Best Supporting Performance

Best Youth Performance

Nominees

Poster for A Girl Called Alice, directed by Tristan Loraine, AFIN 2026

A Girl Called Alice

Short Film 15m M self-rated UK Directed by Tristan Loraine Best International Short Film Best Art Direction
Poster for Alone, directed by Lyndon Cantwell, Nisha Selvaraj, AFIN 2026

Alone

Micro Short 10m M self-rated Australia Directed by Lyndon Cantwell, Nisha Selvaraj Certificate of Distinction: Best Australian Short Film Best Australian Lead Performance
Poster for And God Made The Devil, written by Mike Brislee, AFIN 2026

And God Made The Devil

Screenplay 100pp MA 15+ self-rated Best Feature Screenplay
Poster for Animus, directed by James Murray, AFIN 2026

Animus

Short Film 25m MA 15+ self-rated Australia Directed by James Murray Best Australian Short Film
Poster for Bad Social, directed by Nipan Chawcharernpon, AFIN 2026

Bad Social

Feature Film 2h 32m MA 15+ self-rated Thailand Directed by Nipan Chawcharernpon Best Visual Effects
Poster for Birders, directed by James Van Der Linden, AFIN 2026

Birders

Documentary Short 7m PG self-rated Australia Directed by James Van Der Linden Best Documentary Short Subject
Poster for Born to Brawl, directed by Josh O'Neill, AFIN 2026

Born to Brawl

Documentary Feature 45m MA 15+ self-rated Australia Directed by Josh O'Neill Best Documentary Feature Best Film Editing
Poster for Decide Decide, directed by Owen Warren, AFIN 2026

Decide Decide

Micro Short 9m M self-rated Ireland Directed by Owen Warren Best International Micro Short Film
Poster for Dilemma, directed by Nick Kozakis, AFIN 2026

Dilemma

Micro Short 6m M self-rated Australia Directed by Nick Kozakis Certificate of Distinction: Best Australian Micro Short Film Best Australian Lead Performance
Poster for Domanivka, directed by Bozhena Tsalko, AFIN 2026

Domanivka

Student Short Film 25m M self-rated Ukraine Directed by Bozhena Tsalko Best Student Narrative Short Form
Poster for Ekosistem Rasa: The Gula Anau Story, directed by Joshua Belayan, Syafi Halim, AFIN 2026

Ekosistem Rasa: The Gula Anau Story

Documentary Feature 1h 2m PG self-rated Brunei Directed by Joshua Belayan, Syafi Halim Best Documentary Feature
Poster for Emmaline, written by Nina Moyer, AFIN 2026

Emmaline

Screenplay 101pp M self-rated Best Feature Screenplay
Poster for EMPATHY REHEARSALS, directed by Jacopo Cullin, AFIN 2026

EMPATHY REHEARSALS

Short Film 20m PG self-rated Italy Directed by Jacopo Cullin Best International Short Film Best Youth Performance
Poster for Eric & Robyn and the Mythical beasts, directed by Nicky Elliott, Pete Delahunty, AFIN 2026

Eric & Robyn and the Mythical beasts

Documentary Feature 45m M self-rated Australia Directed by Nicky Elliott, Pete Delahunty Best Documentary Feature
Poster for Extraordinary Rob, directed by Adam Szudrich, AFIN 2026

Extraordinary Rob

Micro Short 7m PG self-rated Australia Directed by Adam Szudrich Best Australian Micro Short Film
Poster for Fading Forward, directed by Dean Ginsburg, AFIN 2026

Fading Forward

Documentary Short 7m PG self-rated Australia Directed by Dean Ginsburg Best Documentary Short Subject
Poster for FAYE, directed by Rose Newland, AFIN 2026

FAYE

Short Film 14m PG self-rated Australia Directed by Rose Newland Best Australian Short Film Best Australian Lead Performance
Poster for Fillers, written by Adam Ethan Crow, AFIN 2026

Fillers

Screenplay 20pp PG self-rated Directed by Adam Ethan Crow Best Short Screenplay
Poster for Finding Joy, directed by Paul Rye, AFIN 2026

Finding Joy

Micro Short 7m G self-rated Australia Directed by Paul Rye Best Australian Micro Short Film
Poster for GANIBARRA, directed by Sonya Takau, Alix Livingstone, AFIN 2026

GANIBARRA

Documentary Short 19m G self-rated Australia Directed by Sonya Takau, Alix Livingstone Best Documentary Short Subject
Poster for GIRLS DON´T CRY, directed by Sigrid Klausmann, Lina Lužytė, AFIN 2026

GIRLS DON´T CRY

Documentary Feature 1h 29m M self-rated Germany Directed by Sigrid Klausmann, Lina Lužytė Certificate of Distinction: Best Documentary Feature
Poster for God's Will, directed by Nia Yonkova, AFIN 2026

God's Will

Student Short Film 20m G self-rated Bulgaria Directed by Nia Yonkova Best Student Narrative Short Form
Poster for Goodbye Ted, written by Ged Maybury, AFIN 2026

Goodbye Ted

Screenplay 8pp M self-rated Best Short Screenplay
Poster for Guardian of the Field, directed by Seyed Mohamadreza Kheradmandan, AFIN 2026

Guardian of the Field

Feature Film 1h 44m G self-rated Iran Directed by Seyed Mohamadreza Kheradmandan Best Feature Film Best Sound & Music Best Director Best Supporting Performance Best Lead Performance Best Youth Performance
Poster for Hell, directed by Parker Croft, AFIN 2026

Hell

Micro Short 5m PG self-rated USA Directed by Parker Croft Best International Micro Short Film
Poster for Hitman Wanted, written by Amanda Lay, AFIN 2026

Hitman Wanted

Screenplay 17pp M self-rated Best Short Screenplay
Poster for How We Ended Up Here, directed by Ruby Haraldson, AFIN 2026

How We Ended Up Here

Student Short Film 13m M self-rated Australia Directed by Ruby Haraldson Best Youth Performance
Poster for In My Body, directed by Annelien Nijland, AFIN 2026

In My Body

Documentary Short 29m MA 15+ self-rated Netherlands Directed by Annelien Nijland Best Documentary Short Subject
Poster for Love & Bullets, directed by Jadey Duffield, AFIN 2026

Love & Bullets

Micro Short 7m MA 15+ self-rated UK Directed by Jadey Duffield Best International Micro Short Film
Poster for Misery and Other Choices, directed by Samuel Lucas Allen, AFIN 2026

Misery and Other Choices

Micro Short 10m PG self-rated Australia Directed by Samuel Lucas Allen Best Australian Micro Short Film Best Australian Supporting Performance
Poster for Moorditj, directed by Mithun Roy Mukkath, AFIN 2026

Moorditj

Feature Film 1h 9m PG self-rated Australia Directed by Mithun Roy Mukkath Best Youth Performance
Poster for My boyfriend, a mannequin, directed by DMITRY NIKOLENKO, AFIN 2026

My boyfriend, a mannequin

Feature Film 1h 20m PG self-rated Russia Directed by DMITRY NIKOLENKO Certificate of Distinction: Best Feature Film Best Visual Effects Best Sound & Music Best Film Editing Best Lead Performance
Poster for Never Too Late, directed by Colleen Davie Janes, AFIN 2026

Never Too Late

Short Film 18m PG self-rated USA Directed by Colleen Davie Janes Best Visual Effects Best Lead Performance
Poster for Of My Blood, written by Shannon Glover, AFIN 2026

Of My Blood

Screenplay 21pp MA 15+ self-rated Best Short Screenplay
Poster for Raging Midlife, directed by Rob Taylor, AFIN 2026

Raging Midlife

Feature Film 1h 36m M self-rated USA Directed by Rob Taylor Certificate of Distinction: Best Feature Film Best Art Direction
Poster for Shelf Life, directed by Trinity Leigh, AFIN 2026

Shelf Life

Student Short Film 15m PG self-rated Australia Directed by Trinity Leigh Best Student Narrative Short Form
Poster for Sisters of the Immaculate Green, written by Craig Smith, Kate Armon, AFIN 2026

Sisters of the Immaculate Green

Screenplay 89pp M self-rated Certificate of Distinction: Best Feature Screenplay
Poster for Temple, directed by Joshua Gary, Tony Gary, AFIN 2026

Temple

Short Film 24m M self-rated USA Directed by Joshua Gary, Tony Gary Best Film Editing Best Supporting Performance
Poster for THE BORDER, directed by CARLO FUMO, AFIN 2026

THE BORDER

Short Film 14m MA 15+ self-rated Italy Directed by CARLO FUMO Best Student Narrative Short Form
Poster for The Damned Thing, directed by Christopher Lewis, AFIN 2026

The Damned Thing

Student Short Film 19m R18+ self-rated USA Directed by Christopher Lewis Certificate of Distinction: Best Student Narrative Short Form Best Visual Effects Best Sound & Music Best Art Direction Best Supporting Performance
Poster for The Endless Shifts: Stories that Keep Care Alive, directed by Felipe Andres Noriega, AFIN 2026

The Endless Shifts: Stories that Keep Care Alive

Documentary Short 40m PG self-rated Canada Directed by Felipe Andres Noriega Best Documentary Short Subject
Poster for The Impossible Decision, directed by Rebecca Kirwan, AFIN 2026

The Impossible Decision

Micro Short 9m PG self-rated Australia Directed by Rebecca Kirwan Best Australian Supporting Performance Best Australian Lead Performance
Poster for The Liars of Black Mountain Road, directed by Parker Croft, AFIN 2026

The Liars of Black Mountain Road

Short Film 13m PG self-rated USA Directed by Parker Croft Best Film Editing
Poster for The Lingering, directed by Gabe Reiss, AFIN 2026

The Lingering

Short Film 11m PG self-rated USA Directed by Gabe Reiss Best International Short Film Best Supporting Performance
Poster for The Nine Lives, written by Jason A. Green, AFIN 2026

The Nine Lives

Screenplay 28pp M self-rated Best Short Screenplay
Poster for The Rocket, directed by Pedro Chaves, AFIN 2026

The Rocket

Micro Short 8m G self-rated Portugal, USA Directed by Pedro Chaves Best International Micro Short Film
Poster for The Song of Colour, directed by Ashley Bligh Dighton, AFIN 2026

The Song of Colour

Feature Film 1h 29m M self-rated Australia Directed by Ashley Bligh Dighton Best Feature Film Best Cinematography
Poster for The Witchdoctor and the Windmill, directed by Robert Hamilton, AFIN 2026

The Witchdoctor and the Windmill

Documentary Feature 58m MA 15+ self-rated Australia Directed by Robert Hamilton Certificate of Distinction: Best Documentary Feature
Poster for This Bloody Country, directed by Craig Packard, AFIN 2026

This Bloody Country

Feature Film 1h 40m MA 15+ self-rated USA Directed by Craig Packard Best Feature Film Best Cinematography Best Art Direction
Poster for Under A Falling Sky, written by Rebecca Lehman, AFIN 2026

Under A Falling Sky

Screenplay 120pp M self-rated Best Feature Screenplay
Poster for White Lies, written by Jason Somerville, AFIN 2026

White Lies

Screenplay 98pp MA 15+ self-rated Best Feature Screenplay

Certificates of Distinction

A certificate of distinction is a recognition the festival gives, in one category, to a nominee who did not win. 15 were given in 2026.

Poster for Alone, directed by Lyndon Cantwell, Nisha Selvaraj, AFIN 2026

Alone

Micro Short 10m M self-rated Australia Directed by Lyndon Cantwell, Nisha Selvaraj Certificate of Distinction: Best Australian Short Film Best Australian Lead Performance

Certificate of Distinction

Eliza Matengu

Best Australian Lead Performance

Dilemma AustraliaMicro Short6m

Poster for Dilemma, directed by Nick Kozakis, AFIN 2026

Dilemma

Micro Short 6m M self-rated Australia Directed by Nick Kozakis Certificate of Distinction: Best Australian Micro Short Film Best Australian Lead Performance
Poster for GIRLS DON´T CRY, directed by Sigrid Klausmann, Lina Lužytė, AFIN 2026

GIRLS DON´T CRY

Documentary Feature 1h 29m M self-rated Germany Directed by Sigrid Klausmann, Lina Lužytė Certificate of Distinction: Best Documentary Feature
Poster for My boyfriend, a mannequin, directed by DMITRY NIKOLENKO, AFIN 2026

My boyfriend, a mannequin

Feature Film 1h 20m PG self-rated Russia Directed by DMITRY NIKOLENKO Certificate of Distinction: Best Feature Film Best Visual Effects Best Sound & Music Best Film Editing Best Lead Performance
Poster for Raging Midlife, directed by Rob Taylor, AFIN 2026

Raging Midlife

Feature Film 1h 36m M self-rated USA Directed by Rob Taylor Certificate of Distinction: Best Feature Film Best Art Direction
Poster for Sisters of the Immaculate Green, written by Craig Smith, Kate Armon, AFIN 2026

Sisters of the Immaculate Green

Screenplay 89pp M self-rated Certificate of Distinction: Best Feature Screenplay
Poster for The Damned Thing, directed by Christopher Lewis, AFIN 2026

The Damned Thing

Student Short Film 19m R18+ self-rated USA Directed by Christopher Lewis Certificate of Distinction: Best Student Narrative Short Form Best Visual Effects Best Sound & Music Best Art Direction Best Supporting Performance
Poster for The Witchdoctor and the Windmill, directed by Robert Hamilton, AFIN 2026

The Witchdoctor and the Windmill

Documentary Feature 58m MA 15+ self-rated Australia Directed by Robert Hamilton Certificate of Distinction: Best Documentary Feature

AFIN 2027

Entries for 2027 are open

On FilmFreeway since Sunday 1 November 2026. 22 awards, and every film can be up for several.

Enter on FilmFreeway The 2027 awards

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