SHINE SHOOTOUT

A Regional Short Film Challenge

Shine
Shootout 2026

Stories come from everywhere.
This is where they shine.

Encore Screening 2026 Winners
[✓] 31 Films
[✓] Three Sessions
[✓] Every Story On Screen
[✓] Encore: Friday 25 September

Red Carpet Awards Night – Friday 7 August 2026

2026 Winners

Best FilmToowoomba Christian CollegeFor “A Walk Around Where Nothing Happens”$6,000 prize: $3,000 cash proudly presented by the McNab Group, plus a professional colour grading package valued at $3,000, proudly provided by The Post Lounge
Best School Film123 VDBFor “Replaced”$1,500 cash, proudly presented by Jen Taylor Properties
Best Regional FilmErin BlondFor “The Weight We Carry”$1,000 store credit, proudly presented by Harvey Norman Toowoomba
Best PerformanceSophie VolpFor her performance in “Me, Myself and Craig”One free term of screen acting classes at Mashed Theatre & Films, plus a one-on-one session at the Australian Performing Arts Conservatory, proudly presented by Mashed Films
Emerging Filmmaker AwardMake It With FriendsFor “Bittersweet”One-day walkthrough on set of an upcoming feature film shooting in South East Queensland, proudly presented by Mashed Films
Audience Choice AwardStep 3For “Me, Myself and Craig” – decided by applause-o-meter on the nightProudly supported by the Australian Cultural Fund

The 2026 Finalists

A Walk Around Where Nothing Happens Away with you Bittersweet Getaway Gratitude Love Always, Sheila Me, Myself and Craig Path of Absence Replaced The Drop The Weight We Carry Welcome to Toowoombuzz
Best Film winners from Toowoomba Christian College with their trophy
Best Film – Toowoomba Christian College, “A Walk Around Where Nothing Happens”
Best School Film winner with the trophy
Best School Film – 123 VDB, “Replaced”
The winning Best School Film team
Best School Film team – 123 VDB
Best Regional Film winners with trophy and Harvey Norman voucher
Best Regional Film – Erin Blond, “The Weight We Carry”
Best Performance winner Sophie Volp with her award
Best Performance – Sophie Volp, “Me, Myself and Craig”
Audience Choice Award winners team Step 3
Audience Choice Award – Step 3, “Me, Myself and Craig”

Awards & Prizes to Be Won

Prizes

Best Film$6,000$3,000 cash proudly presented by the McNab Group, plus a professional colour grading package valued at $3,000, proudly provided by The Post Lounge
Best School Film$1,500Cash prize, proudly presented by Jen Taylor Properties
Best Regional Film$1,000Store credit, proudly presented by Harvey Norman ToowoombaAwarded to the film that best captures the spirit, people, places or stories of regional Australia. The film does not need to be shot in a regional location, but it should authentically reflect regional life, communities or experiences.
Best Performance AwardOne free term of screen acting classesAt Mashed Theatre & Films, plus a one-on-one session at the Australian Performing Arts Conservatory, proudly presented by Mashed Films
Emerging Filmmaker AwardOne-day walkthrough on setOn an upcoming feature film shooting in South East Queensland, proudly presented by Mashed FilmsAwarded to the filmmaker or team demonstrating exceptional promise through creativity, storytelling, originality and filmmaking potential, regardless of experience or production budget.
Audience Choice Award$1,000Proudly supported by the Australian Cultural Fund

About

What is the
Shine Shootout?

The Shine Shootout is a seven-day short film challenge designed to encourage storytelling, creativity and filmmaking across regional Queensland.

Participants create a short film and compete for prizes, recognition and the opportunity to have their work screened at the Empire Theatre.

Competition Guide

The 2026 rules, awards and competition details, kept for the record.

View the Guide

Mark Your Calendar

Key Dates

17 JUN
Media Launch
18 JUL
Workshop
29 JUL
Challenge Launch
05 AUG
Entries Close
07 AUG
Screening & Awards

Red Carpet Awards Night

The finalists screened on the big screen at the Shine Shootout Red Carpet Awards Night at the Empire Theatre’s Armitage Centre on Friday 7 August 2026, where the award winners were announced and presented to a full house.

The Encore Screening at the Toowoomba Strand Cinema is now confirmed for Friday 25 September 2026 – see the Encore section for sessions, the program and tickets.

Held 18 July 2026

Shine Shootout
Workshop

Saturday 18 July 2026 / 1.00pm – 3.00pm / Toowoomba Strand Cinema / No experience necessary. Smartphones encouraged.

Held ahead of the challenge, the Shine Shootout Workshop gave participants the confidence and practical skills to create a short film – from first-time smartphone filmmakers to school and community teams.

Missed it? The key advice lives on in the Workshop Tips section below, along with free resources for music, editing and more.

Who Should Attend

  • Secondary school students
  • Teachers
  • Film clubs
  • Community groups
  • First-time filmmakers
  • Anyone interested in entering the Shine Shootout

What to Bring

  • A smartphone (if you have one)
  • A notebook
  • Your ideas and questions

Friday 25 September 2026 – The Strand, Toowoomba

Encore Screening

In August 2026, filmmakers from across the region had just seven days to write, shoot and edit an original short film for the inaugural Shine Shootout. The Encore brings every one of those films to the big screen at The Strand – award winners, finalists and every story in between – across three curated sessions in one celebration of regional filmmaking.

Each session mixes award winners and finalists, and the program shows exactly which session every film screens in – so you can come for your film, or make a night of it.

Buy Tickets Download the Program (PDF)

The 2026 Challenge

Official Challenge Elements

Released at 9.00am on launch day, every film entered in the Shine Shootout 2026 needed to include all three of the following elements.

1. Line of Dialogue

Your film should include the following line of dialogue:

“Nothing ever happens here.”

2. Prop

Your film should feature a:

Fly swatter

The prop may appear anywhere in the film and may be used in any creative way.

3. Location

Your film should feature a recognisable landmark, place or feature that helps identify where your film was made. It doesn’t have to be famous, it simply needs to be recognisable to your local community. Examples include:

  • A main street or town centre
  • A local café, pub or shop
  • A park, playground, sports ground or showgrounds
  • A school or university (with permission)
  • A river, creek, lake or beach
  • A mountain, lookout or distinctive natural feature
  • A bridge, water tower or silo
  • A mural, sculpture or public artwork
  • A historic building, church or hall
  • Any location that reflects the character of your town or region

The location does not need to be the focus of the film. It can simply appear naturally anywhere in your film.

A line of dialogue, a fly swatter and a local landmark: these three elements shaped every one of the 31 films – and you can spot them all on the big screen at the Encore Screening.

Top Tips for Making a Great Short Film

Workshop Tips

1. Story Comes First

The best short films are built around a simple, memorable idea. Don’t try to tell an entire life story in seven minutes. Ask yourself:

  • Who is the main character?
  • What do they want?
  • What stands in their way?
  • How does it end?

Keep your story simple and make every scene count. Storyboarder by Wonder Unit is a free resource that may be of assistance.

2. Keep It Small

The easiest films to make well usually have:

  • One or two locations
  • Two to four characters
  • A clear beginning, middle and end
  • One central conflict

Limiting your scope almost always improves the finished film.

3. Plan Before You Shoot

Spend more time planning than filming. Before the camera rolls:

  • Visit your locations
  • Rehearse with actors
  • Create a simple shot list
  • Make sure everyone knows the schedule

Good planning saves hours of editing later.

4. Sound Is More Important Than Picture

Audiences will forgive slightly shaky footage. They won’t forgive bad sound. If you have limited time or money:

  • Record in quiet locations
  • Move closer to your actors
  • Turn off air conditioners and fans if possible
  • Monitor your audio while filming

5. Use Natural Light

Good lighting doesn’t need to be expensive. Film:

  • Early morning
  • Late afternoon
  • Near windows
  • In open shade rather than harsh midday sun

6. Get Plenty of Coverage

Don’t just shoot one wide shot. Film:

  • Wide shots
  • Medium shots
  • Close-ups
  • Cutaways
  • Reaction shots

These extra shots make editing much easier.

7. Keep Your Camera Steady

If you don’t own a tripod:

  • Lean against a wall
  • Place the phone on a table
  • Use two hands
  • Move slowly

Smooth camera movement almost always looks more professional.

8. Edit Ruthlessly

Every scene should move the story forward. If a scene doesn’t add something important, cut it. A strong five-minute film is usually better than a weak seven-minute film.

9. Music should support the story. Music should enhance emotion, not overpower dialogue. Never use commercial songs unless you own the rights. Free, properly licensed options are below.

Free Music & Sound Effects

  • YouTube Audio Library – free music and sound effects
  • Pixabay – royalty-free cinematic music and sound effects
  • Mixkit – free music and sound effects for films
  • Free Music Archive – Creative Commons music (always check the licence for the individual track)

Free Stock Video & Photography

Free Editing Software

Free Graphics

AI. AI can help with brainstorming ideas, refining dialogue, generating shot lists and planning production schedules. Remember to comply with the Shine Shootout rules regarding AI use and ensure your film remains your own creative work.

Use what you have available and be flexible. Many memorable short films are made with ordinary locations, small casts and modest equipment. Creativity, preparation and good storytelling usually matter far more than an expensive camera.

Registration

Registrations
Have Closed

The challenge is under way. Thank you to every team that registered for the inaugural Shine Shootout.

2026 Complete

That’s a wrap

The inaugural Shine Shootout has been run and won. Thank you to every team, sponsor and supporter who made it happen.

See the Winners

With Thanks To

Sponsors & Partners

Major Sponsor
Shine Lawyers
Major Sponsor
Award & Prize Partners
The McNab Group
Best Film
Jen Taylor Properties
Best School Film
Harvey Norman Toowoomba
Best Regional Film
Mashed Films
Best Performance & Emerging Filmmaker
Australian Cultural Fund
Audience Choice Award
The Post Lounge
Best Film
KOFI Foundation
Award & Prize Partner
Prize Partners
Ric’s Flicks
Prize Partner
CBA
Prize Partner
Supporters
Empire Theatre
Supporter
Queensland Fringe
Supporter
Toowoomba Strand Cinema
Supporter

Interested in partnering with the Shine Shootout? Get in touch below.

Get In Touch

Contact

For media, sponsor and general enquiries, reach the team directly.

info@shineshootout.com.au

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