For the love of WA filmmakers and locally made short films!
ROCK THE BOAT FILM FESTIVAL - Season 5
A short film festival supporting emerging WA filmmakers.
Click on FESTIVAL PROGRAM to view this year's Official Selection.
For tickets to Screenings click "Get Tickets" now.
Click on AWARDS NIGHT and "Get Tickets" to secure a spot at our annual red carpet event.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Saturday, 12th September, Opening Night - Networking & Connections, Media Wall, Introductions & Screening, Q&A with the filmmakers, People's Choice Voting
This screening has CC (Subtitles)
Sunday 13th September, Student Session - Networking & Connections, Media Wall, Student Day (a celebration of under 18s filmmakers) Screening, Q&A with the filmmakers, People's Choice Voting,
Saturday, 19th September, Session 3: Connection - Networking & Connections, Media Wall, Screening, Q&A with the filmmakers, People's Choice Voting
Sunday, 20th September, Session 4: Resilience - Networking & Connections, Wall, Screening, Q&A with the filmmakers, People's Choice Voting
Saturday, 24th October, Awards Night - Red Carpet-Black Tie Event, Media Wall, Event Photographer, Delicious Food. Networking & Connections, Awards Ceremony. Closing Night.
Tickets are available for each session, sold separately. Or, if you would like to experience the entire event, a festival pass, offering one session for free is available.
Networking details to be updated soon.
For a full break down of each scheduled event read on, or press 'Get Tickets'. Or, full details below.
SCREENINGS & NETWORKING
OPENING NIGHT
Saturday, 12th September
ACE HOYTS Rockingham
6:00 pm
Tickets $25 ($22.90 + $2.10 booking fee)
2 hr 30 min
This screening has CC (Subtitles)
Ceremony and Screening (See Networking below)
Registration from 5:40 pm
Doors to Cinema Open 6:00 pm
Media Wall available to take photos. Roaming Event Photographer, Official Opening Ceremony, Opening Night Screening, Filmmaker Q&A, In-Cinema People’s Choice Voting
Popcorn, drinks, and snacks can be purchased from the ACE HOYTS candy bar.
Please note: Anyone under 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Viewer discretion is advised.
5:40 pm — Registrations open.
6:00 pm — Doors open.
Please note: There is no seat allocation for general admission.
6:15 pm — Introductions and event photographer captures audience photo.
6:30 pm — The first screening for 2026 commences.
After screening concludes, filmmakers, cast and crew, are invited to the front for acknowledgement and Q&A.
There is filmmaker Q&A time.
All audience members will be asked to use their voting card to cast their vote for In-Cinema People’s Choice Award.
One film project from this session WILL be awarded the In-Cinema People's Choice Award, presented at our Awards Night in October.
Networking: Linger a little longer with us in the cinema and get to connect with filmmakers, industry and community.
8:50 pm — Opening Night for RTBFF 2025 officially concludes.
Please notify us if you do not wish for yourself or your child to be featured in photographs or recordings.
There is a 'no refund' policy on tickets. However, should your situation change and you cannot attend the night you are welcome to pass your ticket onto someone else. Event program may be subject to change or slight variation.
Networking & Connections:
BEFORE THE SCREENING
Join us before the screening from 4:30 pm - 5:40 pm at CHEEKY MONKEY BREWING CO. directly across the road from ACE HOYTS Rockingham. All filmmakers, family and friends are welcome. Let's connect!
It's casual, a cash bar. Grab and drink or a bite to eat, before we wander across the road to the cinema ready for a great night of entertainment!
AFTER THE SCREENING
For those who would like to continue the conversation, or meet with new connections, or simply grab a drink after their Opening Night screening, we'll be kicking on at PIPER'S INN, next to the cinema (to the left), as you exit.
Please note: Piper's Inn kitchen would have closed, however, Grill'd's and Zeus Street Greek will be open. They are also happy for you to put an online pre-order in on the day for pick up after your session.
Page 10 in the Festival Program highlights the festival networking opportunities.
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STUDENT SESSION
(a celebration of under the 18s filmmaker)
Sunday, 13th September
ACE HOYTS Rockingham
4:00 pm
Tickets
Adults $25 ($22.90 + $2.10 booking fee)
Students $17 ($15.24 + $1.76 booking fee)
2 hr 30 min
Please note: Anyone under 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Viewer discretion is advised.
Media Wall available to take photos, screening, filmmaker Q&A, In-Cinema People’s Choice Voting.
Popcorn, drinks, and snacks can be purchased from the ACE HOYTS candy bar.
3:40 pm — Registrations open.
4:00 pm — Doors open.
Please note: There is no seat allocation for general admission.
4:15 pm — Screening commences.
After screening concludes, filmmakers, cast and crew, are invited to the front for acknowledgement and Q&A.
There is filmmaker Q&A time.
All audience members will be asked to use their voting card to cast their vote for In-Cinema People’s Choice Award.
One film project from this session WILL be awarded the In-Cinema People's Choice Award, presented at our Awards Night in October.
Networking: Linger a little longer with us in the cinema and get to connect with filmmakers, industry and community.
6:45 pm — Student Day concludes.
Please notify us if you do not wish for yourself or your child to be featured in photographs or recordings.
There is a 'no refund' policy on tickets. However, should your situation change and you cannot attend the night you are welcome to pass your ticket onto someone else. Event program may be subject to change or slight variation.
Networking & Connections:
AFTER THE SCREENING
For those who would like to continue the conversation, or meet with new connections, or simply grab a drink or a bite to eat after their screening, a few of us will be heading to PIPER'S INN, on the right, next to Grill'd when you leave the cinema. You're welcome to join us!
People under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Note: Other eating options, Grill'd and Zeus Street Greek will be open. They are happy for you to make an online pre-order ready to pick up when you leave the cinema.
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SESSION 3: CONNECTION
Session 3
Saturday, 19th September
ACE HOYTS Rockingham
6:00 pm
Tickets $25 ($22.90 + $2.10 booking fee)
2 hr 30 min
Please note: Anyone under 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Viewer discretion is advised.
Screening (See Networking below)
Media Wall available to take photos, screening, filmmaker Q&A, In-Cinema People’s Choice Voting.
Popcorn, drinks, and snacks can be purchased from the ACE HOYTS candy bar.
5:40 pm — Registrations open.
6:00 pm — Doors open.
Please note: There is no seat allocation for general admission.
6:15 pm — Screening commences
After screening concludes, filmmakers, cast and crew, are invited to the front for acknowledgement and Q&A.
There is filmmaker Q&A time.
All audience members will be asked to use their voting card to cast their vote for In-Cinema People’s Choice Award.
One film project from this session WILL be awarded the In-Cinema People's Choice Award, presented at our Awards Night in October.
Networking: Linger a little longer with us in the cinema and get to connect with filmmakers, industry and community.
8:50 pm — Saturday at the Movies concludes.
Please notify us if you do not wish for yourself or your child to be featured in photographs or recordings.
There is a 'no refund' policy on tickets. However, should your situation change and you cannot attend the night you are welcome to pass your ticket onto someone else. Event program may be subject to change or slight variation.
Networking & Connections :
BEFORE THE SCREENING
Join us before the screening from 4:30 pm - 5:40 pm at CHEEKY MONKEY BREWING CO. directly across the road from ACE HOYTS Rockingham. All filmmakers, family and friends are welcome. Let's connect!
It's casual, a cash bar. Grab and drink or a bite to eat, before we wander across the road to the cinema ready for a great night of entertainment!
AFTER THE SCREENING
For those who would like to continue the conversation, or meet with new connections, or simply grab a drink after their Opening Night screening, we'll be kicking on at what of the venues right close to the Cinemas.
Please note: For food options, Grill'd's and Zeus Street Greek will be open. They are also happy for you to put in an online pre-order on the day for pick up after your session.
Or if you visit Zeus Street Greek in person and show them your ticket, you'll receive 10% off your order.
Page 10 in the Festival Program highlights the festival networking opportunities.
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SESSION 4: RESILIENCE
Sunday, 20th September
ACE HOYTS Rockingham
4:00 pm
Tickets
Adults $25 ($22.90 + $2.10 booking fee)
2 hr 30 min
Please note: Anyone under 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Viewer discretion is advised.
Ceremony and Screening (See Networking below)
Media Wall available to take photos, screening, filmmaker Q&A, In-Cinema People’s Choice Voting.
Popcorn, drinks, and snacks can be purchased from the ACE HOYTS candy bar.
3:40 pm — Registrations open.
4:00 pm — Doors open.
Please note: There is no seat allocation for general admission.
4:15 pm — Screening commences.
After screening concludes, filmmakers, cast and crew, are invited to the front for acknowledgement and Q&A.
There is filmmaker Q&A time.
All audience members will be asked to use their voting card to cast their vote for In-Cinema People’s Choice Award.
One film project from this session WILL be awarded the In-Cinema People's Choice Award, presented at our Awards Night in October.
Networking: Linger a little longer with us in the cinema and get to connect with filmmakers, industry and community.
6:45 pm — Sunday Session concludes.
Please notify us if you do not wish for yourself or your child to be featured in photographs or recordings.
There is a 'no refund' policy on tickets. However, should your situation change and you cannot attend the night you are welcome to pass your ticket onto someone else. Event program may be subject to change or slight variation.
Networking & Connections:
BEFORE THE SCREENING
Join us before the screening from 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm at CHEEKY MONKEY BREWING CO. directly across the road from ACE HOYTS Rockingham. All filmmakers, family and friends are welcome. Let's connect!
It's casual, a cash bar. Grab and drink or a bite to eat, before we wander across the road to the cinema ready for a great night of entertainment!
AFTER THE SCREENING
For those who would like to continue the conversation, or meet with new connections, or simply grab a drink or a bite to eat after their screening, we'll be kicking on at PIPER'S INN, on the left as you exit the cinema.
Note: Other eating options, Grill'd and Zeus Street Greek will be open. They are happy for you to make an online pre-order ready to pick up when you leave the cinema.
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AWARDS NIGHT
Saturday, 24th October
ACE HOYTS Rockingham
Registrations from
6:00 pm
Red Carpet
6:15 pm Sharp!
Tickets
Adults $50 ($46.85 + $3.15 booking fee)
4 hrs 15mins
Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult. Viewer discretion is advised.
Link to order tickets here: AWARDS NIGHT TICKETS
See below for notes on Networking before the red carpet.
For our fifth year in a row, Rock The Boat Film Festival will conclude with a black-tie, red-carpet awards ceremony where finalists are screened and winners are awarded. If there’s just one event this year to dress up for, this is it!
Our Event Photographer will begin taking photos on the red carpet at 6:15 pm sharp, ensuring you capture your red-carpet moment. These images will be made available for download, free to keep or share as you wish.
Upon arrival inside the cinema, there will be a selection of delicious finger foods and a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage waiting for you. This pre-ceremony time provides a fantastic opportunity for further networking the with festival guests.
At 7:00 pm, guests will be seated for the awards ceremony and screenings, where main category finalists will be presented, as well as further Awards of Recognition and the announcement of our first-ever International Short Film Exchange Program recipients.
There will be a 20 minute comfort break during the ceremony, whereby any confectionary or water can be purchased from ACE HOYTS candy bar. The cinema space is a non-licensed area. and if purchasing an alcoholic beverage from the Gold Lounge during the break, it must be consumed within the Gold Lounge area.
10:30 pm — Rock The Boat Film Festival concludes for 2026!
Networking:
Some of us will be gather from 5:00 pm for networking before the official red-carpet starts, in the ACE HOYTS Gold Lounge Function area. It's a nice way to make some new connections, or catch up with familiar faces, before we all wander down to the red carpet for our big night of celebrations!
Please notify us if you do not wish for yourself or your child to be featured in photographs or recordings.
There is a 'no refund' policy on tickets. However, should your situation change and you cannot attend the night you are welcome to pass your ticket onto someone else, and notify us of the change of name and details.
Event program may be subject to change or slight variation.
Moments from Rock The Boat Film Festival
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
