FASHION FILM AWARDS
OVERVIEW
The Fashion Film Awards has become a globally recognised platform, elevating the artistry of fashion filmmaking and its vital role in the communication of fashion narratives.
We invite filmmakers from all backgrounds and levels of experience to submit their work for this prestigious competition. Finalists will have their films screened at an exclusive awards night, honouring and celebrating the most innovative and captivating work in fashion film today in front of an audience of film enthusiasts, media, and industry professionals.
Awards Categories:
Best Fashion Film: Open to all professional and amateur film makers, creators, and agencies.
Best Australian Fashion Film: Open to all professional and amateur film makers based in Australia.
Best Student Fashion Film: Open to students who are currently enrolled in an Australian fashion or film-related course, or who graduated between June 2024 and June 2025 so long as the submitted film was made as part of their student work.
Applicants submitting to the Best Australian Fashion Film category may also submit to the Best Fashion Film category. No other category combinations or multiple category submissions are permitted.
KEY INFORMATION
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Applications closed.
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Tuesday 23 September 2025: Applications Open
Friday 24 October 2025: Applications Close
Wednesday 5 November 2025: Applications Close for Best Student Fashion Film
Monday 17 November – Wednesday 3 December 2025: Judging Period
Early December 2025: Applicants Notified of outcome
Friday 20 February 2026: Fashion Film Awards Screening and Winner Announcement Event
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Submission requirements include:
Fashion Film File: A complete and final version of the fashion film in the specified format.
Film Synopsis: A clear and concise synopsis of the film must be provided that summarises the film’s concept, themes, and relevance to fashion.
Director Biography: A brief biography of the director or creative lead, including experience or notable achievements related to film and/or fashion.
Cast and Credits Information: A complete cast and crew credits for the film, including names and roles.
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Submissions must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
The film must be a maximum duration of 7 minutes or less (including credits)
The film must have Fashion at its core
The film must be consistent with the Festival's values. It must not feature:
clothing containing animal fur, exotic skins, and feathers
use of illicit substances
depiction of minors in a sexualised manner
violence or strong language
nudity (may be permitted where it serves a clear artistic, cultural, or conceptual purpose)
content that perpetuates harmful stereotypes, discrimination, or hate speech
uncredited use of music, footage, or other copyrighted material without proper clearance
The Festival will only accept completed films and will not accept a previously submitted film, even with significant changes
English subtitles are required for non-English films
Best Student Fashion Film category: must be directed or creatively led* by students from an Australian fashion or film course. Recent graduates (June 2024–June 2025) are eligible if the film was created as part of their student work.
Best Australian Fashion Film category: must be directed or creatively led by professional and amateur film makers based in Australia.
*Creatively-led refers to the primary creative force behind the project, responsible for its concept and key creative decisions.
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Each weighting number denotes the maximum number of points attainable within the respective category.
Criteria 1: FASHION FOCUS [25%]
Celebrates and showcases Australian and/or international fashion at its core.
Criteria 2: ENTERTAINMENT VALUE [25%]
The fashion film is engaging and entertaining.
Criteria 3: CREATIVE DIRECTION [20%]
Demonstrates artistic innovation and a strong directorial style.
Criteria 4: UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE [20%]
Demonstrates a distinctive creative voice and original point of view.
Criteria 5: PRODUCTION VALUE [10%]
Strong creative execution, demonstrating a well-crafted and thoughtfully put together.
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All Finalists
Film screened at premium 2026 PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival event to an audience of media, industry, and ticketed guests
2026 Fashion Film Awards ‘Official Selection’ digital laurel to be displayed on film
Suite of VIP invitations to the 2026 Festival’s premium events, including the 2026 PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival official launch event
VIP invites for you and two (2) guests to the 2026 Fashion Film Awards premiere screening event.
Best Fashion Film Award
45-minute virtual meet and greet with Beatrice Ryan, Director of London Fashion Film Festival
MIFF Membership kindly provided by the Melbourne International Film Festival, including exclusive year-round benefits
Best Fashion Film digital laurel to be displayed on film
Film posted as a collaborative reel on the Festival’s Instagram
Best Australian Fashion Film Award
45-minute meet and greet with Mackenzie Lush, Manager, Development at VicScreen
MIFF Membership kindly provided by the Melbourne International Film Festival, including exclusive year-round benefits
Best Australian Fashion Film digital laurel to be displayed on film
Film posted as a collaborative reel on the Festival’s Instagram
Best Student Fashion Film Award
45-minute meet and greet with Mackenzie Lush, Manager, Development at VicScreen
MIFF Membership kindly provided by the Melbourne International Film Festival, including exclusive year-round benefits
Best Student Fashion Film digital laurel to be displayed on film
Film posted as a collaborative reel on the Festival’s Instagram
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View full terms and conditions HERE.
JUDGING PANEL
AKIRA ISOGAWA
Australian Contemporary Fashion Designer
Born in Kyoto Japan, Akira moved to Sydney in 1986 studying fashion design at the Sydney Institute of Technology. His 1996 debut collection at Australian Fashion Week, led him to become one of Australia’s most celebrated and acclaimed designers.
Since, Akira has designed costumes for the Australian ballet and the Sydney Dance Company and exhibited his work at the National Gallery of Victoria, the Powerhouse Museum, and at the Victoria and Albert Museum London.
RONA.
Producer, Artist, First Nations Advocate
RONA. is a Kaytetye producer and DJ whose sound is deeply grounded in the vast desert landscapes of her home, Mparntwe in central 'Australia'.
With a growing presence alongside beloved electronic artists like Four Tet and Overmono, RONA. has left her mark on major festivals, including Laneway, Pitch Music & Arts, Strawberry Fields, and Splendour in the Grass. RONA. is an artist creating music that centers connections to Country, self, and place across generations.
BEATRICE (BLOOM) RYAN
Director, London Fashion Film Festival
Beatrice Ryan has served as President and Director of the London Fashion Film Festival for the past 13 years, a role she was appointed to in recognition of her pioneering vision that reshaped how fashion films are perceived and celebrated, establishing a new movement within the industry.
Beyond her leadership at the festival, Beatrice has been invited as an international jury member at various film festivals and has shared her expertise as a mentor at universities.
CHARLOTTE BOTICA
Assistant Curator, Fashion & Textiles
National Gallery of Victoria
Charlotte Botica has a BA in Textile Design, Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technologies and a MA in Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies. Working at the NGV since 2020, Charlotte has supported the delivery of several major exhibitions including Melbourne Now (2023), NGV Triennial (2023-24) and Africa Fashion (2024) and most recently co-curated Kimono (2025).
Her writing has been published in NGV’s bi-monthly Gallery magazine, online programs, and exhibition catalogues.
AL COSSAR
Artistic Director
Melbourne International Film Festival
Al Cossar is currently Artistic Director of the Melbourne International Film Festival, where he has worked since 2011. Previously Al was Program Director for the Portable Film Festival, a founding programmer, and subsequent Board Member for the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival, and Festival Manager for Flickerfest.
Al has been a television film critic for ABC News Breakfast, and worked in post production supervision in his home country of New Zealand.
DANIELLE CASTANO
Photographer & Creative Director
Dazey
From creative direction and photography to social media and campaign management, Danielle has worked in the creative marketing industry in a variety of roles over the last 12 years.
During this time she has evolved her photography business to a full-scale content & production agency, Dazey, which now works with brands such as Mercedes Benz, The NGV, Aje, Coffee Supreme, Remedy Drinks, Henne, Ena Pelly, the City of Melbourne and Chadstone along with the Melbourne Fashion Festival.
CLARE MOLESWORTH
Chief Customer Officer
PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival
A true marketing and consumer hybrid with 19 years’ experience specialising in fashion, beauty, retail, lifestyle, arts and culture, Clare Molesworth has been the Chief Customer Officer of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival since 2023.
Over her career Clare has worked with high profile global brands including Loewe, Zimmermann, Mecca Brands, Net-a-Porter, Mr Porter, Tod’s, Country Road, L’Oreal, La Roche-Posay, Sephora, Frank Green, Powerhouse Museum and Sydney Design Festival.