EMERGE

EMERGE! is produced in partnership with our Prize Sponsor FOTA, Friends of the Arts, who as part of the evening's event, announce our award winners.

Highlighting filmmakers of the future. The EMERGE! Student Short Film Gala is a premiere event at HOTA, Home of the Arts that showcases the best short films from 14 graduating South East Queensland film students, providing a platform for our future filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with others passionate about the screen arts.

Awards Presented on the night include:

In addition, for 2026 we welcome the 3 winning short films from the REELZ Student Film Festival short films. REELZ is an annual event hosted at HOTA, Home of the Arts that aims to celebrate young, creative storytellers, providing a platform for their work to be played on the big screen.

Thanks to our seven participating schools this year; GFS, JMC, SAE, TAFE QLD, QSFT, USQ and QUT.

SEE YOU AT HOTA ON SUNDAY 26 APRIL. RED CARPET FROM 2:00PM

Shelf Life

At Sturnley’s Supamart, a faded family grocery store, awkward checkout clerk Nora dreams of singing the store jingle. But when a customer mistakes small talk for life-changing wisdom, Nora is thrust into the spotlight as the store’s new mascot.

Director: Hans Salceda

Anomaly

In the year 2104, a lone pilot’s quiet routine is disrupted when a fiery object streaks across the sky. Defying orders, he prepares to fly into the unknown.

Director: Danial Coggan

Overdrive

Space explorer Tommie powers through endless missions across galaxies, ignoring increasing system warnings from her ships–and herself.

Director: Victor Sianipar

Pappouli

Pappouli follows the life of a Greek immigrant emerging from the occupation of Greece in World War II and moving to Australia in hopes of starting a new life. Nearing the end of his life, we follow him as he tells his story through all its peaks and troughs.

Director: Oliver Sendall

Hot Pot

An intern turned environmental whistleblower is lured into a grotesque hotpot lunch with her former CEO, where civility dissolves and a quiet power struggle comes to the boil.

Director: Brodie Youngman

Perfect Illusion

A popularity-loving but insecure 19-year-old’s fixation on beauty and validation unravels after heartbreak, threatening her relationship with her younger sister and challenging her understanding of self-worth.

Director: Breanan Huntington

Fun Friday (REELZ)

Fun Friday seeks to explore the themes of AI vs human, and the horrors it can lead to even in our current society.

Director: Kentaro Ward

Black Monday

A bookstore worker uncovers unsettling footage of an art-school friend who vanished into corporate life and follows an uncanny trail of clues to try to bring her back.

Director: Danny Castles

How to Move

Stuck in a cycle of stagnancy, Jessie and Nat plan to leave their hometown. As Jessie withdraws from friends and family, mounting stress, violence and trauma force him to confront whether he can truly change or only run.

Director: Brooke Pointing

Heatwave (REELZ)

A failed superhero calls for a documentary in hopes to reinvigorate public interest.

Director: Eve Elwood

Somnia

A gritty tale of a sole detective bearing the weight of his failures as he chases desperately after a serial mass murderer.

His sanity spirals as he becomes more and more obsessed with ending the criminals trail of fear and terror. All whilst dealing with the dreams of the killers crimes as they happen.

Director: Kai Martin

Kitchen Rhythm

This short documentary pulls back the curtain on a local pizza shop, transforming the familiar takeout counter into a stage for high-stakes, culinary choreography. The film focuses on the often unseen synergy of the staff during a typical busy shift.

Director: John Christopher Garcia

Hero Without a Home

The story of a homeless person defying the odds and becoming a source of inspiration for her community.

Irene Schynol defies the stereotype of a homeless person, often associated with drug abuse and panhandling. Her story is not uncommon but despite her trying circumstances, Irene remains positive and finds a silver lining in her situation. Her selflessness and kindness has earned her the love and respect of the community as she helps other homeless people.

Director: Liz Hurd

boys (REELZ)

‘boys.’ delves into the topic of adolescent relationships and how they can mature and expand throughout schooling life.

Director: Isabella Pagliaccio

Up Down

A man resolves to solve his childhood puzzle one last time, unknowingly changing the world around, and in him, in the process.

Director: Rebekah Park

The High Priestess

A clairvoyant, gifted Tarot Card Reader opens up about her biggest life struggles, the misconceptions of her practice, and how her ability has helped countless people.

Director: Jun Hui Loh

What You Deserve

Upon death, a self-proclaimed virtuous woman is forced to confront her life’s final act, leaving her eternal fate in question.