The international festival will celebrate filmmakers and stories centred on people with disability at its Red Carpet Awards in Sydney this October.

The Focus on Ability Short Film Festival will return for its 18th year, with the 2026 Red Carpet Awards set to take place at The Concourse in Chatswood on Sunday, Oct. 18.

Presented by NOVA Employment and supported by major sponsor Australia’s Disability Strategy, this year’s festival attracted 240 submissions from 26 countries.

The festival showcases short films and documentaries of less than five minutes that celebrate the creativity, talent and achievements of people with disability. Filmmakers of all experience levels are invited to participate, with last year’s 283 submissions including 62 entries from school groups.

The awards ceremony will bring together the winning filmmakers, judges, sponsors and members of the public for an afternoon of screenings and presentations. Entry is free, although registration is required.

The event will also feature performances by musician Matt McLaren and inclusive performing arts group the StarAbility Dancers.

Presenters announced for the 2026 ceremony include Nick Hardcastle, Lynne McGranger, Tony Bonner AM, Christie Dawes, John Jarratt, Gerard O’Dwyer, James Stewart and Ada Nicodemou. Winners will be selected by Australian and international judging panels.

Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor said the festival plays an important role in challenging perceptions while providing greater representation for people with disability.

“This festival is such a powerful celebration of talent, creativity and storytelling, while challenging the way we think about disability and ability,” Taylor said.

“It gives people with disability the opportunity to be seen, heard and represented through stories that entertain, inspire and change perspectives.”

Established by NOVA Employment CEO Martin Wren in 2009, Focus on Ability has grown into an international event with a substantial audience online and through its screenings.

Festival ambassador Paula Duncan, who is entering her 16th year with the event, said she had watched it reach new audiences each year.

“It has been such a journey watching it grow year by year,” Duncan said. “It has reached extraordinary heights, with 283 films submitted last year and over 300,000 people viewing these inspiring films online and at various events.”

The festival will extend beyond the Sydney ceremony, with selected films from the 2026 program set to tour Australia through community screenings in 2027.

A selection of films will also air on SBS on Thursday, Dec. 3, marking the International Day of People with Disability. Last year’s SBS broadcast reached more than 125,000 viewers and showcased 45 short films and documentaries.

The Focus on Ability Short Film Festival Red Carpet Awards will be held at The Concourse, Chatswood, on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 1pm to 5pm. Tickets are free and registration is available through the festival website.