ATOM Awards & Competitions

08/09/2026

📣🎬🎶🎭2 WEEKS TO ENTER! Submissions close Friday 25 September.

Got a film sitting on a hard drive somewhere?
A brilliant Media production from last semester?
A short film made for class?
An animation? Documentary? Music video?
A piece of work your student is particularly proud of?

🌟Enter the 2026 ATOM Awards (Primary–Tertiary). ENTRY IS FREE.
atom.org.au/atomawards

🎗️Finalists will be announced on 6 October, ahead of the 2026 ATOM Awards Presentation Night held at ACMI on Friday 30 October.

07/09/2026

🔗atom.org.au/atomawards

KEY DATES

🗓 Entries close: Friday 25th September
📣 Finalists announced: Tuesday 6th October
🎗 Awards and Presentation Night (ACMI): Friday 30th October, 2026

25/08/2026

📣4 WEEKS TO GO! Calling all students and emerging creators across Australia! Submit your films, documentaries, animations, and music videos to the 2026 ATOM Awards for a shot at amazing prizes and a spot on the big screen at ACMI, Australia's national museum of screen culture.

🗓KEY DATES

Entries close: Friday 25th September
Finalists announced: Tuesday 6th October
Awards and Presentation Night (📍ACMI): Friday 30th October, 2026

🔗Check out the awards categories and entry details here: atom.org.au/atomawards
💡

20/08/2026

📽️✨ Calling all Australian teachers, students, and budding media creators! It's time to showcase your storytelling talents.

Submit your films, docos, and animations to the 2026 ATOM Awards, one of Australia's longest running screen awards. With FREE entry, amazing prizes, and a chance to shine on the big screen at ACMI, now's your moment to share your story!

Entries close FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER.

👉MORE DETAILS AND SUBMISSIONS HERE: https://www.atom.org.au/atomawards
📣

13/07/2026

🎬 The ATOM Awards are back in 2026!

After a short hiatus, one of Australia’s longest-running screen and media awards programs is returning—and entries are now open.

Students and emerging creators from across Australia are invited to submit their films, documentaries, animations and music videos for the chance to win fantastic prizes and see their work on the big screen at ACMI.

Whether you’re a teacher with talented students, an emerging filmmaker, an animator or a storyteller, we can’t wait to see what you create.

Find categories, judging information and entry details at atomawards.org

15/06/2026

🎬 Something exciting is coming soon...

For over 40 years, the ATOM Awards have celebrated creativity, storytelling and excellence in screen media.

We're working on something special behind the scenes and can't wait to share more.

Stay tuned. More information coming soon.

15/05/2024

🎬♻️💡🏆THANK YOU TO OUR FRIENDS AT RUBBISH FILM FESTIVAL (Rubbishfilmfestival) for inviting Australian schools to participate in the festival this year!

🎊CONGRATULATIONS to the two Australian schools that took home the two awards in the International category of the festival - Indooroopilly State High School and King's Christian College🎊

📺WATCH THE AWARDS PRESENTATION ON YOUTUBE HERE: https://youtu.be/6m3aK6VdHM8?si=vCBZnqNU8cScbW5k

14/05/2024

🎬♻️NATIONAL RUBBISH FILM FESTIVAL 2024 AWARDS🤩

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2024 Rubbish Film Festival!

Secondary students (Years 10-12) submitted short films (60-seconds) addressing the theme: Sustainable Development Goals 12 & 13.

The 2024 Awards were announced last Friday 10 May on Rubbish Film Festival's YouTube Channel.

This year was the first year Australian entrants were invited to submit films into the festival under the International category.

🎗️Presenting the award recipients of 2024 representing Australia:

⭐RUNNER UP (INTERNATIONAL AWARD): Thread of Consequences by Indooroopilly State High School (QLD)

⭐INTERNATIONAL AWARD BEST FILM: The Spark by Kings Christian College (QLD)

Well done to everyone involved!

📺Watch the Awards presentation on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/6m3aK6VdHM8?si=vCBZnqNU8cScbW5k

⭐Visit the Rubbish Film Festival website to learn more about the festival: https://www.rubbishfilmfestival.com

For more information visit https://www.rubbishfilmfestival.com/

01/03/2024

🎬FREE Filmmaking & Television Panel for Secondary Teachers and Students (Years 9-12)

Join Melbourne Women in Film Festival (MWFF) and ATOM Victoria for a special panel discussion with filmmakers and film climate advocates on how and why to make even small scale film productions more environmentally and sustainable ♻️🎥📺

This FREE event is aimed at secondary students and educators (Years 9-12) with a focus on the media production processes and industries.

WHEN: Friday 22nd March (12pm-1pm)
WHERE: Online
REGISTER HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sustainable-film-and-television-panel-with-mwff-and-atom-tickets-845442530367

09/02/2024

📣CALL FOR ENTRIES 2024

Get ready to make an impact with your creative storytelling and media skills!

🎥The Rubbish Film Festival and ATOM are excited to join forces in 2024 to launch a creative sustainability challenge for secondary students in years 10-12.

♻️🌳Australian secondary students (Years 10-12) are invited to submit a short film (60 seconds) to the 2024 Rubbish Film Festival, relating to sustainable development goals (SDGs).

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action

🌏With over 80 participating schools across Ireland, Australian schools are invited to join the movement and use their storytelling and filmmaking skills for environmental advocacy and sustainability.

DETAILS

Theme: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More info here: https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Eligibility:Secondary school students in years 10-12 in Australia and Ireland

Film Length: Up to 60 seconds

Entry Criteria: Entry is free; films must be a collaborative effort; students can submit only one film; and there is no limit to the number of films per school.

**SUBMIT YOUR FILMS BY FRIDAY 19 APRIL 2024**

For competition guidelines, details, and entry submissions, please visit: www.rubbishfilmfestival.com/australia