---

PLEASE READ BELOW THEN CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR TEAM.

---

• Competition is open to all Australian-based filmmakers and creatives.
• Teams must be registered by midnight (12am) on Sunday 6th September, 2026 to participate.
• Teams need a minimum of 2 people, and all team members are required to be over 18 years of age.

• All films must be created entirely within the official Vertical48 challenge timeframe from 4pm AEST on Friday 11th September to midnight on Sunday 13th September, including writing, pre-production, filming, and post-production.
• Completed Episode must be submitted by midnight (12am) on Sunday 13th September, 2026. Late submissions or incomplete entries will not be accepted under any circumstances, and no exceptions will be granted.
• Uploaded Episode must be in MP4 digital video format, in either Full HD (1080p) or 2K submitted directly via our website. We do not accept links that require viewing, downloading or accessing other sites. Submissions that do not meet these technical specifications may be rejected.
• Film Submission must be the first episode of a microdrama, to a maximum of 3 minutes long, and must have captions. It should not have a title card, nor end credits.
• Captions must be single-line, clearly readable, free of spelling or grammatical errors, and in English. Please proofread your captions before submission.
• Episode must follow the microdrama opening episode format (with opening hook & closing cliff-hanger) as well as meet & include the required elements provided at the launch session – including genre, line and prop. The required prop must be seen on screen. These requirements will be announced to the teams on Friday 11th September at 4pm (AEST) via Zoom.
• Episode may be filmed using any device — smartphone, tablet, camera, or other recording equipment. We encourage creativity and resourcefulness, so use whatever you have available to bring your story to life!
• Episodes for consideration for the online screening must be suitable for general audiences as they will be shared on the Koala Reels website & social media channels (Facebook, Instagram & TikTok). We are not responsible if the social media channels remove, block or mute your video due to copyright or other infringements . Films must not contain or depict any unlawful, defamatory, offensive, or inappropriate content. Any films found to violate these conditions will be disqualified from the challenge and any related prizes or screenings.

• All films must be written by a team member, and filmed as a live-action episode. Generative AI must not be used to create or generate any new content, including but not limited to scripts, scenes, dialogue, actors, backgrounds, or music.
• AI-assisted editing tools that work on footage you have already filmed — such as auto-captioning, upscaling, or colour grading — are permitted, as these tools modify existing material rather than generating new content.
• If any AI-assisted editing tool was used in your submission, this must be disclosed at the time of submission, noting what tool was used and for which part of the process.

• By submitting your completed film, and any BTS photos and/or videos, you hereby grant Star Rae Productions & Koala Reels the right to the right to access, view, and assess your film for the purposes of judging, selecting winners, and programming screenings. This includes the use of your film for promotional and festival-related activities as outlined in these Terms & Conditions.
• Filmmakers retain all intellectual property rights to their submitted works. By submitting a film to the Vertica48 Challenge, teams grant the organisers (Star Rae Productions & Koala Reels) a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to screen, promote, and distribute the film for purposes related to the Vertical48 Challenge and affiliated festival activities. This license does not transfer ownership of the film or any accompanying materials.
• The individual, team, or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorised to commit the film for public screening and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.  This includes having obtained from each contributor of the film the authorisations to use of image, sound, performance and the reproduction of said image, sound, performance.
• The individual, team, or corporation submitting the film is responsible for clearing copyright on any materials used as part of the submission, and confirms it holds the necessary authorisation or licence for any copyright material, including music, comprising the soundtrack to the film.
• By submitting to the Vertical48 Challenge, you give us consent and right to screen your submission, photos and videos, on our social media channels and website.
• Star Rae Productions & Koala Reels are not responsible for any muting, restriction, or removal of content by social media platforms’ automated content detection systems, including where music has been properly licensed or is royalty-free. Entrants are encouraged to choose tracks with a low likelihood of triggering automated content matching where possible.

• A cash prize of $250 AUD will be awarded to the winning entry, as determined by the judges. Only one cash prize will be awarded.
• The following non-cash awards (recognition only) will also be presented:
  • Best Cliffhanger — recognising the strongest opening hook and closing cliffhanger.
  • Best Use of Required Prop — recognising the most creative or effective integration of the challenge’s required prop.
  • Best Performance — recognising standout acting from a cast member or ensemble.
  • Best Cinematography — recognising the strongest visual storytelling within a single location.
• Award categories and recipients are determined solely by the judges, and their decision is final. Non-cash awards are recognition only and do not include a monetary prize.
• Prizes will be announced and awarded as part of the official selection announcement. It is the winning team’s responsibility to provide accurate contact and payment details for prize delivery.

• Registration and payment of the entry fee is required by midnight (12am) on Sunday 6th September, 2026.
• Teams may withdraw and request a refund of their entry fee up to 24 hours prior to the commencement of the Vertical48 Challenge (by 4pm AEST on Friday 11th September, 2026).
• Refund requests must be made in writing via our contact page or by emailing vertical48 @ starraeproductions.com
• No refund will be issued for withdrawals made within 24 hours of the registration deadline.
• No refund will be issued if a team does not withdraw but subsequently fails to complete or submit their entry, does not attend the required launch session, or is not selected for screening.
• Refunds, where applicable, will be processed manually by the organisers and may take up to 10 business days to appear.
• Star Rae Productions & Koala Reels reserve the right to cancel or postpone the Vertical48 Challenge due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control (see Force Majeure below). In such an event, registered teams will be offered a full refund of their entry fee.

• Each team is required to upload a team photo or short video (1min max) of all cast & crew taken on location – in either 9:16 or 2:3 format – via our website.
• Each team is encouraged to upload BTS photos and short videos on your own social media channels and to tag Koala Reels so we can share your page & work Facebook – @koalareels – Instagam @koalareelstv – TikTok @koala.reels
• We do not pay screening fees for submitted and accepted films.
• All submissions received by the deadline will be fully considered for the competition, but only films meeting the Episode requirements above will be selected for screening.
• The official selection announcement and Judge’s decisions are final and no discussions will be entered in to thereafter. We are also unable to offer individual feedback on submissions.
• We reserve the right to update these terms and conditions.

• By submitting your registration, you consent to receiving emails, marketing newsletters, and event updates from Star Rae Productions, including essential updates about the Vertical48 Challenge. We will never intentionally sell or give away your information to third parties.
• You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time using the unsubscribe link included in each email. Please note that essential operational updates relating to your active entry (e.g. deadline reminders, launch session details) may still be sent regardless of marketing unsubscribe status, as these are necessary for participation in the Challenge.