Anyone of any age, ability or experience can enter this film festival for free as many times as they like! Here’s how:
Step 1
Have a short film or documentary that was filmed/recorded anywhere between SOUTH of the Swan River and WEST of the Kwinana Freeway. This includes: City of Rockingham, City of Fremantle, Town of East Fremantle, City of Melville, City of Cockburn (including Rottnest Island), City of Kwinana, and City of Mandurah (up until the Pinjarra Road cutoff point North of the Murray River). See Map on Categories page.
Step 2
Make sure your project(s) follow festival guidelines and are eligible to enter one of this year’s categories.
Step 3
Upload your project(s) to our FilmFreeway page before the submission deadline on 31st August, 2024. Entry submission is free!
And that’s all you have to do!
But here’s a little more information:
In 2024, RTBFF will encompass City of Rockingham, City of Fremantle, City of Kwinana, City of Melville, City of Cockburn (including Rottnest Island), Town of East Fremantle, and City of Mandurah (up until the Pinjarra Road cutoff point North of the Murray River).
All you need to do is film/record your project(s) within this area. Shortlisted projects will be screened at ACE Cinemas Rockingham in October, followed by a Gala Awards Night (a black-tie, red-carpet event) at a time TBA.
Who is eligible?
Anyone of any age, ability or experience is allowed to enter, using whatever equipment they have to tell the story they like! Three of our categories are OPEN to everyone; one is for Under 18s and another is specifically for submissions from SCHOOLS.
What happens after I submit?
After the submission deadline closes on the 31st of August, we will begin to shortlist entries that follow the festival guidelines, and in early September, we will notify you by email if your project(s) will be screened. In the meantime, we recommend that you share your project(s) with family and friends and use the hashtag #rocktheboatfilmfestival on social media to promote it, because the more people who come to the screenings, the better!
How will finalists be chosen?
As with last year, our independent judges will assess all of the shortlisted entries. The main category finalists’ places will be selected irrespective of their region. We will also have various other Awards of Recognition for outstanding achievements in certain areas (such as Comedy, Acting, Editing, etc. — these are TBD, depending on the entries we receive).
What about People's Choice Award?
This year, audiences will vote on their favourite projects using a simple ranked-choice voting ballot paper at the end of each screening. These votes will be counted and the winners of the People’s Choice Awards will be announced on our Gala Awards Night.
How do I start?
We recommend starting by brainstorming story ideas, then choosing locations which will best help you tell that story. And, if someone you know (family, friends, classmates, community groups, schools) may be interested in participating in this festival and/or seeing themselves on the big screen, then please share this with them. For more information about the festival guidelines and our copyright/music policy, then further information can be found here. We look forward to seeing you in the cinemas, whether as a member of the audience, or on the big screen.
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.