About Trop Jr
The world’s largest short film festival for kids by kids
What is Trop Jr?
Trop Jr is Australia’s biggest short film competition for young people aged 15 and under. It’s part of Tropfest, one of the world’s most famous short film festivals and gives you the chance to show your creativity to the world. Whether you love filming, acting, editing or writing stories, Trop Jr is your opportunity to make a short film and share it with a huge audience. Finalists get to see their films screened at a major event at the end of the year. If you have ever wanted to tell a story through film, this is your chance to learn new skills, have fun and show everyone what you can do.
Who can enter?
Trop Jr is open to filmmakers aged 15 years and under. Participants must be within this age bracket at the time of submission.
This education resource is designed for students in Years 5 to 10. However, any filmmaker aged 15 years and under is eligible to submit an entry, regardless of school year level.
If your school is not taking part, you can still enter as an individual or as part of a production team and we encourage you to use all the production tools, tips and filmmaking activities in this resource to help you create your film.
What are the key dates?
Trop Jr launch: February
Student production: March - July/September
Submissions open: August
Submissions close: September
Shortlist announced: October
Festival screening: November
Please check back for specific dates.
How do I enter?
Check out the Trop Jr webpage with details on how to submit your short film closer to the submission date.
What is the Trop Jr Signature Item?
The signature item has been a Trop Jr tradition since the festival began. Every entry must include the Trop Jr Signature Item (TSI) to show that the film was made specifically for the festival.
The Trop Jr Signature Item for 2026 will be announced shortly.
What are the rules?
Your film must be 5 minutes or less (including titles and credits).
It must include the Trop Jr Signature Item.
What are the judges looking for?
Your film will be judged on the following:
- Originality and Creativity
- Storytelling
- Use of the Trop Jr Signature Item
- Technical Achievement
- Entertainment Value
Trop Jr is all about creativity and storytelling, not big budgets and fancy equipment. Be bold, be original and have fun!
Who are the judges?
We’ll announce judges later this year.
Do I need special equipment?
No! You do not need expensive gear to make a great short film. Trop Jr entries can be filmed on a smartphone, tablet or any basic camera you have access to. Professional equipment is not required. What matters most is your creativity, storytelling and having fun with the process.
What support is available?
This education resource will support you through every stage of creating a short film, from the first spark of an idea to the final edit.
Your school library and local libraries are great places to find books, films and creative guides, as well as people who can point you in the right direction. Online tools and tutorials can help you learn new skills at your own pace, from planning a shoot to editing your film. Teachers, classmates, friends and family can also offer feedback, ideas and practical help along the way.
We will also be hosting free virtual masterclasses with past Trop Jr finalists and winners, giving you the chance to learn directly from young filmmakers who have been through the process themselves.
To stay up to date, sign up to the ACTF Education newsletter to be notified when new learning opportunities become available.