Film Submissions for 2026

Geelong Pride Film Festival’s 2026 Film Festival Laurel competition

Geelong Pride Film Festival warmly invites artists, filmmakers, creatives, illustrators – of any level – to enter a design that could become our next Film Festival laurel in 2026. Entrants are invited to create the new laurel that reflects the spirit of the GPFF and to express visually what the festival means to this community.

Please read the information below, however if you still have questions, please direct your enquiries to: festival@gpff.org.au 
 
We are looking for:
-       Designs that reflect Geelong
-       LGBTIQA+ Pride in all its glorious forms
 
Main points:
-       The competition is open now until 12:00pm on 16 January 2026
-       Entry is via email (festival@gpff.org.au)
-       The design needs to be all one solid colour, and without shading
-       Prize: The winner shall receive a prize of $1200
-       Submissions will be judged on their relevance to the theme, quality and originality
 
Although laurels usually take the form of a wreath, we are open to the use of other stylised graphic elements that create a similar border effect to represent our festival.
 
Proposal Submissions: Submit via email to festival@gpff.org.au before 12pm Friday 16 January 2026. The subject line should read "GPFF 2026 Laurel" followed by your full name.

Winning entry: A fee of $1,200 is available for the successful submission.

GPFF’s final approval to use any image, commissioned or otherwise, as the Film Festival Laurel remains at its discretion.
 
What is a Film Festival Laurel?
Simply, it’s a stylised wreath, featuring two curved branches encircling text. The encircled text generally includes the Film Festivals name, often the year, and sometimes category of film, or award given. Traditionally, the branches of the Laurel have been either laurel leaves (hence the name Laurel) or olive leaves. Historically, the image calls back to Ancient Greece, and the awarding of these wreaths as a symbol of honour and victory.
 
Today, The Film Festival Laurel serves as a recognisable emblem for a particular Film festival or film festival award, and on film promotion denotes when a film has been recognised for its worthiness and merit to be included in a film festival line up. It is an achievement to be able to display a laurel.

We can't wait to see what you come up with!