The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre
The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre is closed.
Applications for the 2026 Blacktown Shorts Film Festival are now open!
Following on from the success of the previous iterations for our 5th year, we will be commissioning 3 new short films that are bold and unique, while remaining distinctly Blacktown and western Sydney.
Whether you’re an emerging filmmaker or experienced storyteller, we’re inviting proposals from creatives of all levels and across all genres.
Applications open on 3 June and close on 29 June 2026.
Successful applicants will receive:
- up to $7,000 of funding to develop their short film proposal
- the premiere screening of their work at the iconic Sydney Opera House
- potential opportunities for further screenings and media exposure.
For more information, read through the 2026 Blacktown Shorts Film Festival application guidelines
Key Dates:
- Applications open: Wednesday 3 June, 2026
- Information session: Tuesday 9 June, from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm, 2026
- Applications close: Monday 29 June, 2026
Need assistance?
Blacktown Arts will hold an online information session on Tuesday 9 June from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm.
Register your attendance for the 2026 Blacktown Shorts Film Festival online information session
The session will be recorded and available on the Blacktown Arts website following the session.
If you have questions or need help with your application, email: blacktownarts@blacktown.nsw.gov.au
Bios
Chidiebube Uba is an Igbo-Nigerian emerging screen producer and curator based in Sydney, Australia. Her interdisciplinary and highly collaborative practice across screen and arts programming aims to push relevant social and cultural discourse to the forefront.
After completing a Bachelor of Communication at Western Sydney University (2019), she leapt into further creative practice development and study at the Australian Film Television and Radio School (2022 MAS: Producing graduate). This was followed by Chidiebube being selected to take part in the Inclusive Producers program with Bus Stop Films (2023) where she assisted in the production of short films I’ve Got You (dir. Duncan Ragg), and Dinner Expectations (dir. Angela Blake). Chidiebube has produced short films such as The Spiders on my Lashline (prod. 2024), This Town Talks (prod. 2024), Peaches ‘n’ Cream (dir. 2024), Wetin Una Go Choose? (prod. 2021), and Ayo (prod. 2021).
In addition to producing for screen, Chidiebube’s role as a program producer and curator sees her working closely with industry and community to facilitate art opportunities for underrepresented groups and individuals.
You can find Chidiebube on Instagram here
Vonne Patiag is an AACTA, AWGIE, Logie and SPA Award-nominated Filmmaker and Actor based in Western Sydney. His credits include Significant Others (ABC), The Unusual Suspects (SBS), Here Out West (ABC), Too Many Ethnics, Tomgirl (SBS), and Halal Gurls (ABC).
He was a participant in the prestigious TIFF Filmmaker Lab 2021 in support of the feature adaptation of Tomgirl and was part of the Talent USA Delegate 2022 sponsored by Screen Australia.
In 2020 he produced and co-wrote The Unusual Suspects with Aquarius Films, and feature film anthology Here Out West with Co-Curious and Emerald Productions. His latest short ‘Too Many Ethnics’ premiered at Flickerfest in 2023.
You can find Vonne on Instagram here
This project is presented by Blacktown Arts in partnership with the Sydney Opera House and supported by Blacktown City Council.
