Funny Shorts
Proudly presented by Melbourne International Comedy Festival and ACMI
Melbourne International Comedy Festival ‘Funny Shorts’ Short Film Competition
We’re on the hunt for Funny Shorts! The Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s short film competition is back to help celebrate our 40 years of funny! We can’t wait to showcase the best in comedy on screen, and maybe even discover the next generation of Aussie comedy filmmakers.
Be it your first short film or your fortieth – so long as it's funny – we want to put your story on the big screen!
Finalists will be selected by a panel of leading comedy and film industry professionals and featured in Funny Shorts screening events as part of the 2026 Festival. The winner will take home a $5,000 cash prize and the audience favourite will take home $1,000.
Past winners include acclaimed creatives such as Oscar Winner Adam Elliot (Mary & Max, Memoir of a Snail) and renowned comedian Frank Woodley (The Adventures of Lano & Woodley).
KEY DATES
Submissions Open: Thursday 18 December 2025
Submissions Close: Friday 20 February 2026 (11.59pm AEDT)
Finalists Announced: Friday 13 March 2026
Festival Screening Events: As part of the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Winners Announced: Winners will be announced at the premiere screening event in March 2026
TO ENTER
Refer to our Conditions of Entry and FAQs page to find out if your short film is eligible. Entries are via FilmFreeway.
QUESTIONS
Please contact funnyshorts@comedyfestival.com.au.
Thank you
Funny Shorts is proudly presented by the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and ACMI, proudly supported by the .au.
