Sissy Austin in Young Mob, written and directed by Tarneen Onus and Paul Gorrie.
Following the historic signing of Victoria's Statewide Treaty with First Peoples in November 2025, a new documentary initiative is set to amplify First Peoples voices and stories.
Sovereign Shorts will give Victorian-based First Peoples screen storytellers the chance to make short documentaries that explores Treaty as a lived experience, capturing what this historic event means for individuals and communities.
The joint initiative by VicScreen, National Indigenous Television (NITV) and Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), provides mentorship and resources for First Peoples screen storytellers to produce a 10–15-minute documentary.
Applications are encouraged from Victorian-based First Peoples directors and writers at all stages of their careers, including those with experience in other creative fields such as theatre.
The content, tone and style of the short films are entirely up to the creator, including hybrid, experimental, observational, personal or essayistic approaches.
To enter, filmmakers are being asked to submit a short film treatment responding to the brief.
Up to four films will be selected to go into production with a production budget of up to $40,000 per film.
The Sovereign Shorts films will have a gala world premiere screening at the 74th Melbourne International Film Festival in August, before being broadcast on NITV and streaming on SBS on Demand.
Applications close 11:59pm, Friday 8 February 2026.
