Bringing the best of Australian
filmmaking to Regional Victoria.
Bringing the best of
Australian filmmaking
to Regional Victoria.
Poco is a biennial festival with entries open to filmmakers and animators from all over the country. Our goal is to foster new and emerging talent and build a community for creative minds to share, collaborate and inspire.
Our Story
Our STory
returning 2O24
OCT 01
AUG 03
Entries across any genre are accepted including documentary, music videos, comedy, drama, horror, animation, sci-fi and more. Awards for Best Short, Jury Prize and Best Student Film will be presented at Poco's live screening in August, 2024.
$12k worth of prizes
SAE Best Short Film: $8,000
Jury Prize: $1000, a DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor, and DaVinci Resolve Studio
Best Student Film: $3,000
Audience Choice Award: $250 Lemac gift card
Best Emerging Talent Award: $250 Lemac gift card

live screening
All finalist films will be screened at the iconic Regent Cinema in Ballarat. Known for its striking Classical Moderne style dating back to 1927, the cinema is made popular for its impressive 700+ seat Cinema One, one of the largest in regional Victoria.
acclaimed judges
Judges to be announced. Past judges include: Myf Warhurst (Broadcaster, journalist & writer), Glendyn Ivin (Award Winning Film Director: The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, Puberty Blues, The Cry), and Ghita Loebenstein (Head of Cinemas, ACMI).
and popcorn
Choc Tops too.
Poco's panel of expert judges is carefully chosen to embody the festival's commitment to nurturing exceptional Australian cinema and its creators. Each submission will undergo evaluation from an industry perspective, with emphasis on direction, narrative, performance, and cinematography.
Submit film
submit film
2O24 judges
001
MARK MOLLOY
Hailing from Ballarat and now based in LA, Mark is an award-winning Australian director who recently directed “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” (2024) for Netflix and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, starring Eddie Murphy, Kevin Bacon and Joseph Gordon Levitt.

Molloy is also known for his short film series “Apple at Work - The Underdogs,” which has received over 150 million views worldwide and earned him a nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials at the 72nd Directors Guild of America Awards.
002
TBA
Announced soon.
003
TBA
Announced soon.
Poco Film Fest by its programming team, event, awards, incredible jury and curation of new voices in short film craft was, at every touchpoint: highly professional, slick and all about cinema. This festival is the real deal and Victoria is lucky it have it.
Alexandra, 2022
Film Freeway
Just phenomenal. Such a brilliant diversity of Australian short film presented at a stunning venue. So glad we had the opportunity to see Poco!
Tomas, 2022
Google
Wow! Thoroughly enjoyed this event. Looking forward to attending this again! Well done Mass Motion!
Tina, 2022
Google
Unbelievable that we have a film festival of this quality in Ballarat and made by Ballarat people. Here's to the next one. BRAVO!
John, 2022
Google
Fantastic festival that was run perfectly. Great variety of finalists, amazing hospitality and beautiful cinema! Highly recommend
Andrew, 2022
Film Freeway
Questions
001
001
How do I submit my film?
All films must be uploaded directly to FilmFreeway via their secure online screener system.
002
002
What genres or categories of films are considered?
Poco encourages all types of short film entries including but not limited to; animation, drama, comedy, horror, documentary, and music videos.
003
003
Will all entries be screened at the event?
No - Poco will make the pre-selection of films to be screened at the event. You will be notified in advance of the outcome of this pre-selection.
004
004
When will the winners be announced?
Winners will be announced August 3, 2024.
005
005
Is there a date eligibility for entries?
Yes - Entries must have been completed (post-production) between 30 June 2021 and 31 March 2024 to be eligible for the 2024 Poco Film Fest.
006
006
Are there any content guidelines?
Poco Film Fest requires entrants to abide by the content guidelines listed here.