Top Screen
About Top Screen
Top Screen platforms the work and creative processes of Victoria's next generation of filmmakers across a program of films including short fiction, animation and documentaries created by VCE Media students, and associated education sessions with the filmmakers and the State Reviewer. Top Screen is presented in partnership with Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).
Top Screen 2027 will take place throughout March and April 2027.
Bookings open Tuesday 1 December.
Apply now for Top Screen 2027
Top Screen 2027 Application Form
Applications close 11:59 pm Monday 19 October 2026
If you have access requirements that mean completing a registration form or application in another format would work best, please get in touch with us prior to the deadline to discuss.
Email seasonofexcellence@education.vic.gov.au or call (03) 8688 7815
Watch Top Screen 2026 online via ACMI’s Cinema 3.
Sign up to the VCE Season of Excellence Update for updates on Season applications, education programs, alumni stories and behind the scenes insights.
Selection process
The VCE Season of Excellence team at the VCAA organises and facilitates a panel of Media teachers from metropolitan and regional Government, Catholic and Independent Schools to view and shortlist Top Screen applications.
The Curriculum Manager for VCE Media oversees the panel, ensuring all work is considered fairly and represents best practice according to curriculum. The VCE Season of Excellence team have no input into which films are selected.
After all applications have been viewed and shortlisted, the selection panel meets one final time to select the final program. Factors such as balance, length and copyright status can influence which films are included in the final selection.
VCE Media films and animations selected for Top Screen are also showcased as part of the Top Designs exhibition at Melbourne Museum alongside other VCE Media production forms.
Selection criteria
Works selected must:
- achieve an A+ or A on the School-assessed Task (moderated score)
- be appropriate for public screening
- provide evidence of copyright clearance and/or citation for all non-original material used
- be accompanied by an Authentication Record Form (VCE studies), signed by the student and their teacher
Works are selected that:
- are accompanied by an exemplary:
- research portfolio
- production experiments with accompanying documentation
- a pre-production plan
- production notes documenting post-production, feedback and distribution
- demonstrate an understanding of all stages of the media production process through development, pre-production, production, post-production and distribution
- demonstrate a high level of critical, creative and reflective thinking to develop, refine and resolve the media production
- demonstrate an understanding of media codes and conventions, materials and technologies used to develop, resolve and refine the media production
Access
ACMI welcomes all visitors and offers access services that may improve your experience at the museum. For further information about access at ACMI go to the museum’s Accessibility page.
Top Screen includes Open Caption screenings, and all Top Screen venues welcome all visitors and offer access services that may improve your experience. For further information, visit ACMI’s Accessibility page and Plan Your Visit to Geelong Art Centre, or email seasonofexcellence@education.vic.gov.au
Large Print Programs
Large Print PDF versions of the Top Screen program are available during the screening season upon request. This can be enlarged to suit your visibility requirements and printed before you attend. You can also choose the Read Aloud software option to convert the text into spoken word, to hear a description of the short films before you attend. Please email seasonofexcellence@education.vic.gov.au to request the program in either PDF or Microsoft Word format.
Education resources
The VCAA provides a suite of resources to accompany VCE Season of Excellence programs. These resources are provided to students and educators across Victoria to support learning across various study areas.
Top Designs and Top Screen Annotated Folios
A selection of folio pages annotated by the State Reviewer for each study are available upon request.
Visit Season Resources to explore more.