Trop Jr is looking for the next generation of Aussie filmmaking talent

Trop Jr, the world’s largest short film festival for kids by kids, returns in 2026 reimagined for a new generation of young Australian storytellers. Submissions are now open, ready for kids with a great idea to pick up a camera and make their voices heard.

Powered by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), Trop Jr offers budding filmmakers a chance to turn an idea into a film, share it with an audience and develop skills used by professional filmmakers. Better yet, you don’t need lots of expensive equipment or a big Hollywood budget to make it happen. Some of the best Trop Jr films have started with a simple idea and a lot of creativity.

If you’re thinking about entering, here are some tips to help bring your idea to life.

STEP 1: THE STORY IS EVERYTHING
The best films start with a great idea and a story worth telling that packs an emotional punch. It might make you laugh, cry or think. It could be about something that’s important to you like family, friendship, overcoming a big challenge or chasing your dreams. Audiences connect with stories that feel authentic* and the Trop Jr films that stand out usually have one thing in common: they feel original.

Start asking “what if?” and see where your imagination takes you. When you’ve got a few ideas, choose the one you’re most excited about. Keep it simple.

Think about your main character too. What do they want and what is standing in their way? The answers create conflict, and conflict is what keeps an audience watching. Give your main character a clear motivation* from the beginning. The sooner viewers understand what they’re striving for, the more invested they’ll be in the outcome.

STEP 2: MAKE A PLAN
To be eligible* for Trop Jr, your film must be five minutes or less (including titles and credits) and it must include the Trop Jr Signature Item (TSI). For 2026, the TSI is a map.

Everything in your film must be your own original work, or you must have permission to use it.

It can be tempting to jump straight into filming, but a little planning can make the creative process much smoother. This is called ‘pre-production’ in the film industry and this is where your film starts to come together.

Once you have worked out what your story is and who your characters are, write a simple script. Your script is the road map for your film, helping your whole team bring the same story to life on screen.

Then start planning your shots with a storyboard and shot list. A storyboard is a series of simple sketches that show what will happen on screen and how each scene will look. Don’t worry if your drawings look more like stick figures than works of art. They’re just a tool to help you bring your vision* to life.

Think about your locations too – keep it simple and try to only have one or two.

Film is an audiovisual [KM3] medium, so think about what your audience can learn from the images you share. Shooting a character from a low-angle shot might make them feel brave or powerful, while a close-up of clicking fingers or a tapping foot can hint at emotions without a single word being spoken.

You’ll also need to think about what else your audience will see on screen – how you will design your location with set decoration and props,* and what costumes your actors will wear. Do you need to make things or can you use ordinary items found around your house?

And make sure you build a great team around you. Maybe your grandmother could sew some costumes for you, or your best friend can be one of your actors. Do you have someone very organised in your life? They would make a great producer to help keep your creative vision on track.

STEP 3: GET FILMING!
Lights, camera, action! This is where all your planning pays off and your story starts coming to life on screen. For live-action films, production is when you film your actors and scenes. For animation, it’s when you begin creating and capturing each frame* of your story.

Remember to refer back to the planning you did during pre-production, but keep an open mind. Being on set might spark new ideas – don’t be afraid try something different.

And don’t forget your amazing team of cast and crew. Filmmaking is a team effort, so work together, stay organised and support each other throughout the process. Focus on bringing your story to life, one shot at a time.

STEP 4: IT ALL COMES TOGETHER IN POST
Editing and post production is where good films become great films. Edit your footage or animation, choose your best shots and shape your story into a finished film. Does every scene still need to be in the film or would it be more engaging* if you cut something out? Sometimes removing a shot or a scene can make a film stronger than adding one.

Don’t forget about sound. Music and sound effects can help create mood and intrigue.* Finally, add your title and credits, export your film and get ready to share it with an audience.

Before you submit, watch your film all the way through a few times. Then use your family and friends as a test audience and ask for honest feedback. Fresh perspectives are always good and can take your film to the next level.

So what do you have to lose? Filmmaking is a whole lot of fun and you might be walking the Green Carpet this December to show your film in a real cinemas in front of hundreds of people!

Don’t forget that submissions close on October 23. Head to tropfest.com/tropjr to find out more

Looking for more support?

Explore the Trop Jr Resource for filmmaking guides, resources and masterclasses featuring past finalists and industry professionals: education.actf.com.au/TropJr

POLL

GLOSSARY

• authentic: being real or genuine rather than a copy, fake
• motivation: the driving force that makes you keep going toward a goal
• eligible: having the necessary qualities to do or receive something
• vision: a mental plan for the future
• props: physical items actors use on a stage or in a movie
• frame: a single image in a movie, video or animation
• engaging: holding someone’s attention, interest or participation
• intrigue: to deeply interest or fascinate someone because something is strange, mysterious or unusual

EXTRA READING
Schoolgirl’s iPhone scary movie scores top film award nomination
Year 2 student makes short film to reflect on the land we’re on
Virtual-reality film is finally moving from being a futuristic invention to an experience for everyone

QUICK QUIZ
1. What have some of the best Trop Jr films started with?
2. What should your main character have?
3. What does TSI stand for and what is this year’s TSI?
4. What is the road map to your film?
5. What do music and sound effects do for your film?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Formulating ideas
As suggested in the news story, practise formulating some ideas for a short film.

To get into the mood, first think of 3 films you love. Summarise the storyline in 1-2 simple sentences. (e.g. Woody, a cowboy toy, and Buzz Lightyear, a new space ranger toy, must work together to return safely to their owner, Andy.)

Now it’s your turn to think of your own ideas. To keep it quick and stop you from overthinking, set a 10 minute timer. Aim to write down as many one sentence ideas as you can in this time frame.

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Media Arts

2. Extension
Build upon your favourite film idea from the previous activity. Choose one of the following to complete:

• write a script
• make a story board
• draw and write a description of the main character

Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Media Arts

VCOP ACTIVITY
Read with Kung Fu punctuation
Pair up with the article between you and stand up to make it easy to demonstrate your Kung Fu punctuation.

Practise reading one sentence at a time. Now read it again, while acting out the punctuation as you read.

Read and act three sentences before swapping with your partner.

Take two turns each.

Now ask your partner to read a sentence out loud while you try and act out the punctuation. Can you keep up? Swap over?

Try acting out two sentences – are you laughing yet?