2026 · Fifth Year
Short Films &
Documentaries
Made in Western Australia
Supporting aspiring and emerging independent filmmakers in Western Australia.
Supporting aspiring and emerging independent filmmakers in Western Australia.
Five years of short films. Thousands of audience members. Hundreds of filmmakers who found their footing here. Rock The Boat Film Festival has become a home for storytellers across Western Australia: seasoned independents, first-time creators, and everyone with a story worth telling.
Renae Hardie Braovich
Founder & Festival Director
Western Australia has a rich and growing pool of filmmaking talent, and Rock The Boat Film Festival exists to support it.
Founded by filmmaker Renae Hardie Braovich, the festival encourages storytellers of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to create short films and documentaries which have an impact upon local audiences. Through screenings and Awards Nights, it celebrates creativity, inclusion, and the power of storytelling.
In 2026, the festival begins an international collaboration with Yellowstone International Film Festival in India, extending its reach into a film-focused global audience, opening new doors for WA filmmakers, and expanding the network available to those ready to connect beyond our state.
All entries must be filmed in Western Australia.
Under 13 minutes (max 12:59 incl. credits)
Open to all filmmakers. Tell your story your way: narrative, experimental, or anything in between. If shortlisted, you'll receive one complimentary screening ticket.
Must be filmed in Western Australia. Entries must not have been completed before 2023.
$1,000 first place prize
Under 7 minutes (max 6:59 incl. credits)
Factual, real-world stories told with a filmmaker's eye. Students who submit a documentary may enter here or in the Student category. Documentaries over 7 minutes and under 13 minutes may be entered in the Open Short Film category instead.
Must be filmed in Western Australia. Entries must not have been completed before 2023.
$1,000 first place prize
Under 7 minutes (max 6:59 incl. credits)
For primary or secondary school students, or tertiary students under 18. The next generation of WA storytellers gets their own spotlight.
* Tertiary students must be under 18 to enter this category. Documentary submissions may enter here or OPEN Documentary.
$1,000 first place prize
Under 7 minutes (max 6:59 incl. credits)
Celebrating stories by First Nations filmmakers from Australia and the Torres Strait Islands. Newly introduced in 2026, sponsored by Walyalup Kannajil Community Choir.
** All directors and writers must be First Nations people who have filmed this project exclusively in Western Australia. The First Nations lead creative must be the submitter.
$1,000 first place prize
In addition to the main category prizes, the following awards are presented at our Awards Night.
Each shortlisted entry receives one complimentary screening ticket for the session in which it screens.
ACE HOYTS Rockingham
Rockingham, Perth
Western Australia 6168
Concludes with the Awards Night a few weeks after screenings end.
In 2026, Rock The Boat Film Festival is collaborating with Yellowstone International Film Festival in India. Each festival will select three short films for screening at both events, providing filmmakers a unique opportunity to participate in this International Short Film Exchange.
For more information about this opportunity →
"Rock the Boat is a fantastic festival to be a part of. The quality just gets better and better every year. I guarantee it will be one of the top festivals in Australia for up-and-coming filmmakers very soon."
Ryan Svirac, October 2025
"It was an incredible experience to participate. We're so proud of what this event does for the local film scene in WA—creating a space for emerging filmmakers to showcase their work."
Zeke Morgan-Hind, December 2025
"Really fantastic festival! So much care and effort was put into every aspect. My short film had so much overlapping dialogue it would've been a nightmare to subtitle, but they still did it with very clear detail and attention. The festival director came up to me and complimented my short film. She didn't have to but she did and it really meant a lot to me. The whole festival you could feel the effort and love put into it. If you are able to submit to this festival, do it!"
Louis Neylon-Williams, October 2025
"A great festival for local talent. Run by very hard-working individuals with great opportunities and prizes available. Showcases the true spirit of independent filmmaking."
Emilie Lowe, October 2025
"One of the best festivals I've been to. I really felt involved as a filmmaker. Keen to come back next year!"
George Butterworth, October 2025
"A wonderful and professional film festival. Very grateful to have my film selected and screened on the big screen in Rockingham WA."
Mark Regan, December 2025
Submissions close 31 July 2026 · Filmed in Western Australia
31 March 2026
31 July 2026
12 September 2026
24 October 2026
We acknowledge the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation, the traditional custodians of the land on which our office stands. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters, and community. We pay our respects to their cultures, and to Elders past, present, and emerging. We extend this respect to all Indigenous language groups.
