Lights! Canberra! Action! 202626 entries completed in the 10 days leading to 8 hours of judging and difficult decisions.
2026 Top Twelve Gala Screening and Awards
Friday 6th March 2026, 7 for 8pm start. Under 18s with an adult. Check the full listing for each film for content information. 2026 THEME
Curiosity Top Twelve 2026In Screening Order. Content 'Rating' is indicative only. These films have not been classified.
Filmmaker Bio: Les Petersen is an award winning Australian/New Zealand writer, illustrator, film maker, and animator who comes from a creative family of musicians who thinks he's trying to impress them. One of these days he will.
Filmmaker Bio: Marko is the creative mind and driving force behind the YouTube channel Markom3D. Known for his engaging content and expertise in the 3D space, he has cultivated a dedicated audience who tune in for his digital projects, creative insights, and tutorials.
A true veteran of his craft, Marko has demonstrated unwavering dedication by consistently submitting LCA for over ten years now. This impressive, decade-long milestone highlights not only his ongoing passion for his work but also his long-standing commitment to the creative community.
Filmmaker bio: The 3 producers of Fork are CIT Screen and Media alumni from the class of 2025. We are all unemployed and looking for experience to get work in this industry. So we decided to take all the skills we learnt last year and put them to the test. This is our way of showing Canberra what we've got
Filmmaker Bio: Paul Martin is a local artist working in the Canberra region who’s art practice includes painting, drafting and film making.
Filmmaker Bio: An independent 17 year old filmmaker, Rico Lacock, is currently new to film but slowly developing their voice and story. He is creating cinematic short-form content online as well as creating multiple short films to refine his storytelling, cinematography, directing and editing skills. With a long-term goal of entering the film industry and working in it as a professional.
Filmmaker Bio: Gwen is an arty person in Year 3 at Chapman Primary School. She made the entire movie herself (with the tiniest help from her dad). Her favourite toy in the world, Itchy Bunny, stars in the movie after a Lego disaster meant the original actor was in pieces.
INTERMISSION
Filmmaker Bio: This will be the third short film we have made as a family of four. The ten days of fast-paced film making for LCA have become an annual highlight. Having one member in the family who studied film, these fun projects foster creativity in all of us and allow us to join the creative world.
Filmmaker Bio: Screenwriting and directing duo Zac Bridgman and Matthew C. Lamb are back again, sharing their love of comedy and Christopher Nolan with the world. ‘The Death of Me’ is their fourth LCA entry, teaming up once more with a magical cast and crew who have been with them on several previous occasions. In yet another case of life imitates art, the making of this mockumentary about a man overwhelmed by the demands of Hollywood almost broke the both of them.
Filmmaker Bio: Jack Downie is a Canberra-based filmmaker and digital content producer whose work explores identity, curiosity and modern existentialism through surreal storytelling.
Filmmaker Bio: After 3 years of filmmaking on Youtube and completing my diploma in Film and Media at CIT I've decided to venture into the world of short films. In particular exploring the genre of action. Having worked on various action projects I gained an interested in stunts and fight choreo at a young age and have continued to find ways to share my passion through film. My aim has always been to challenge my audience whether emotionally or philosophically, while also entertaining.
Filmmaker Bio: Hey, I’m Sam. I’m a videographer and editor based in Canberra. I love creating films of all different genres and using music to drive emotion. I’m also a big advocate for female filmmakers telling their stories.
Filmmaker Bio: Alistair has enjoyed making films with his friends for years. Lights! Canberra! Action! coming around is always an exciting time, as he loves the idea of a shoot that results in something unmistakably Canberran. Film is a great way to enjoy a couple of days with your mates, but it also gives an opportunity to band together and create something special for other people to enjoy.
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SCREENING OUTSIDE OF THE TWELVE
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THE WONDER-BOX |
Comedy, 7mins, PG (mild comedic violence) INCLUSIVE FILM |
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Producer: Isaac Travers
Director: David Hatherly Writers: Isaac Travers & David Hatherly Just press the button, it's that simple. Trust me. Go on, press it, press it, PRESS IT!! |
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Filmmaker Bio: Director, David Hatherly teams up with fellow filmmaker and actor, Isaac Travers in assembling a team of up-and-coming creators to help bring the WONDER-BOX to life, literally. From early development, the WONDER-BOX team set out to create a comedic and fun story with a sprinkle of curiosity inducing chaos. The director’s original intention was to bring new and unknown talent onboard for production, cast and voice over experience to the Lights Canberra Action 2026. They’ve all worked extremely hard and are excited for audiences to witness what bizarre events are unleashed by the WONDER-BOX!
2026 AwardsThe Screen Canberra Award for Best Film
THE SURVEY. Sam Hosking, Producer. The University of Canberra People's Choice Award We Don't Take Cash. Alistair Lauro and Asheesh Saxena, Producers. The Enlighten Festival Creative Director Adam Deusien Award for Best Use of Theme THE SURVEY. Sam Hosking, Producer. The University of Canberra Award for Best Student Film WHAT WAITS THERE? Rico Lacock, Producer. The EMA Architects Award for Inclusive Film The WONDER-BOX. Isaac Travers, Producer, David Hatherly, Director. The Dendy Cinemas Award for Best Under 18s Film CURIOUS BUNNY & THE GIANT CARROT. Gwendolyn Lamb, Producer. The Burley & Brave Award for Best Use of an Item The Platypus in ‘River Child’. Jack Downie & Ruby Taylor, Producers. The Crux Media Award for Best Director Sam Hosking for ‘The Survey’ The Eclipse Sound & Lighting Award for Best Sound Design Corey Petersen-Shaw for ‘Lost Cat’ The Canberra Theatre Centre Award for Best Original Music Josephine Philp for ‘Implant’ The Enemies of Reality Films Female Filmmaker Award Sam Hosking: Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer & Production Designer of ‘The Survey The Perform Australia Award for Best Performance Brendan Kelly in ‘The Survey’ The Budding Entertainment Award for Most Memorable Performance Jack Downie in ‘River Child’ The Metropolis Studios & Co Award for Best CinematographyJack Ellis for ‘River Child’ The Missing Bits Award for Best Screenplay Paul Martin for ‘The Lights are On’ The Dendy Cinemas Award for Best Editing Max Jasinski for ‘We Don’t Take Cash’ Marisa Martin Art & Design Award for Best Art Direction John Silvestro for ‘The Death of Me’ The Academy of Interactive Entertainment Award for Best Animation or Visual Effects LOST CAT. Les Petersen, Producer 2026 Photo Gallery - TOP TWELVE |
2026 Items
2026 Winners
2026 Photo Gallery - AWARDS |
