Overview by Nick Staikos
As a lifelong local resident, I love the Bentleigh electorate. It’s where I was born, it’s where I grew up and it’s where I went to school. And it’s the community I’m so proud to represent in the State Parliament.
This year, to celebrate the local area and the talent and creativity of young locals, I am bringing back the Bentleigh Film Festival.
The 2026 theme is Bentleigh (electorate) 2049.
Entries will be open to students from the age of 16 up to and including the age of 20, who live or go to school in the Bentleigh electorate.
Three scripts will be chosen to be shot and edited by their applicants and will then be uploaded to my Facebook and Instagram pages. Each film will be uploaded a week apart and will have one week each to accumulate the maximum number of VIEWS possible. The film that has the most VIEWS on Facebook and Instagram combined will be announced as the winner.
More REACTS, REPOSTS, COMMENTS and SHARES will help you accumulate more VIEWS. You will need to make sure that lots of people REACT, COMMENT, REPOST and most importantly, SHARE your video with family, friends, colleagues etc.
Below is everything you need to know before submitting your ideas. Best of luck!
Guidelines
Theme: Bentleigh (electorate) 2049
Objective: Plan and produce a short film of up to two minutes (120 seconds) in length exploring how the Bentleigh electorate will be even better by 2049. Explore life in the Bentleigh electorate, what makes it unique and what distinguishes it from other parts of Melbourne.
If possible, we recommend that you try to incorporate and capitalise on viral social media trends (including trending audio and reel formats) to generate better engagement and improve palatability and retention in your audience. This is not essential.
We’ve tried to make the topic as broad as possible, so get creative and have fun with your ideas. The Bentleigh electorate includes all or part of the following suburbs: Bentleigh, Bentleigh East, McKinnon, Ormond, Moorabbin, Cheltenham and Highett.
Prizes:
First prize: $1,000
Second Prize: $300
Third Prize: $200
Rules
- Your film must be no longer than two minutes (120 seconds) in length (we recommend 90 seconds or under if possible)
- Your film must be suitable to receive a PG rating
- To enter you must be a student aged 16-20 years old (inclusive) that either lives or goes to school within the Bentleigh electorate
- You must fulfil the outlined criteria (see objective) as judged by us
- You must meet all the deadlines outlined below
- You must submit no more than one (1) script per person or group
- Your script must be no longer than two A4 pages of minimum size 11 font in length
Deadlines & Key Dates
Friday 3 July: Script or treatment due (max. 2 pages not including title page)
Friday 10 July: Three finalists chosen to produce their scripts
Friday 28 August: Three final films must be submitted (by 5pm)
Friday 4 September at 9am: First film uploaded to Nick’s Facebook and Instagram
Friday 11 September at 9am: First film’s time expires, second film is uploaded to Nick’s Facebook and Instagram
Friday 18 September at 9am: Second film’s time expires, third film is uploaded to Nick’s Facebook and Instagram
Friday 25 September at 9am: Third film’s time expires.
Friday 2 October: Winners and runners up announced
Submission details
Script
Prior to your script, please include a title page (not included in page limit) with the following details: your name(s), the name(s) of your parents/guardians, a phone number, address, the school you attend and the name of your script.
Ideally your script will be in .pdf format, but .docx, and .doc formats will also be accepted.
Please send submissions to [email protected] no later than Friday 3 July 2026.
Production
Once your script is chosen, a time can be arranged for you to have a phone chat with Aidan to workshop your idea. Technical help will be available if needed.
Final film
Submit your short film in .mp4 format, either in person on a USB or online via drop box or Google Drive
Resolution can be either 1080 x 1920 or 2160 x 3840 but the delivered aspect ratio must be 9:16 (vertical reel format). If you are using footage from different sources or shot on different cameras, you may have a combination of aspect ratios within your 9:16 deliverable. If you need advice on how to incorporate a combination of footage with different aspect ratios in to a 9:16 frame, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Please submit your film in a folder, labelled in the following format: SURNAME_First name_film name.file format.
Ideas & Inspiration
Aside from the criteria outlined above, there are no rules so be creative!
You could do a documentary, mockumentary, narrative short film or your take on a viral reel trend. Your short film can be fiction or non-fiction, comedy or drama. You could use footage shot this year, last year, old home videos or archival footage.
If your script is selected and you wish to have me (Nick) in your film, please don’t hesitate to ask!
You can use a DSLR, a digital camera, a phone or a VHS camera. You could be a group of one, or a group of five. As long as you have an idea, you have the potential to be selected as a finalist. We look forward to reading and hearing your ideas. Best of luck!
P.S. Should you have any other questions not covered in this document, please feel free to contact Aidan at my office on 9579 7222 or email him at [email protected]
