Melbourne Webfest has opened submissions for 2022 as part of its 9th annual festival.

Webseries creators will have up to March 30 to submit for the regular deadline, or alternatively the final call of May 18.

The festival offers an exciting opportunity for creators to get their webseries out to the general public, industry community, and funding operators.

The festival over the years has helped many creators get a step up in the industry including: Aunty Donna, who recently featured their new serie sAunty Donna’s Big Ol’House of Fun on Netflix, Kate McCartney & Kate McLennan with their ongoing series Get Krack!n on ABC iview, and Luke Eve, who released his first feature I Met A Girl on Netflix.

Genre awards will include:

●Best Australian Comedy

●Best Australian Drama

●Best Australian Non-Fiction

●Best International Drama

●Best International Comedy

●Best International Non-Fiction

●Best Animation

Talent and technical awards:

●Best Cinematography

●Best Director

●Best Editing

●Best Leading Actor or Ensemble

●Best Original Score

●Best Production Design

●Best Screenplay

●Best Sound Design

●Best Supporting Actor or Ensemble

●Best Visual/Special Effects

As well:

●Best of Spotlight (Australian and international series produced for less than $50,000)

●Best Student series

●Crowd Favourite (decided by attendees at Melbourne WebFest)

●Outstanding Diversity Award

●Pitch iview

●Grand Jury Award

●Michael Ajakwe Jr Lifetime Achievement award

Creators are encouraged to submit their webseries before the regular deadline for a cheaper entry price. In 2022 the festival is planned to be in person and will include industry panels, development workshops, talks, on-demand web series streaming, networking opportunities and a live pitching competition with ABC iview.