Margot Robbie will preside over the jury of the Tropfest short film festival when it returns to Sydney’s Centennial Park on Sunday, February 22, 2026, marking the event’s first iteration after a six-year hiatus.
The internationally acclaimed actor and producer, nominated for an Academy Award, will lead a judging panel that as well includes Emmy Award winner Sarah Snook, producer Bruna Papandrea of Big Little Lies, and First Nations director Dylan River. The quartet will evaluate submissions from 16 finalists competing for a total prize pool of $100,000.
“Tropfest has long been an important launchpad for filmmakers. It’s where creativity meets opportunity, and I’m incredibly excited to help celebrate and support the next wave of storytellers,” Robbie said in a statement.
The festival’s return is accompanied by the CommBank Tropfest Emerging Filmmakers Fund, designed to support the next generation of Australian storytellers. First, second, and third place winners will receive $50,000, $30,000, and $20,000 respectively.
Filmmakers are required to create an original short film, seven minutes or less in length, incorporating the “Tropfest Signature Item” for 2026: an hourglass. Submissions will be accepted via YouTube starting December 1st, with a deadline of January 7th.
“Her remarkable body of work, both in front of and behind the camera, perfectly reflects the creativity, courage, and ambition we’re championing in Tropfest’s next chapter,” Tropfest founder and director John Polson said.
The event will also serve as a platform for filmmakers from Australia and New Zealand to showcase their work to a global audience via livestream on the Tropfest YouTube channel. Robbie is currently preparing for the release of her new film, Wuthering Heights, alongside Jacob Elordi, scheduled for release on February 13, 2026.
Snook added, “So much goes into telling a powerful story in just a few minutes, I’m really looking forward to seeing the finalists.”
