Microfiction Competition

Brisbane Writers Festival and The University of Queensland present the annual schools’ microfiction competition, open to Queensland-based students.

Scroll down to the see the shortlist and winners of this year’s competition, as well as photos from the awards ceremony held during the festival.

Click here to read the winning entries

#2026 Shortlist!

Congratulations to the shortlisted entrants of the 2026 Microfiction Competition:

Junior Category:

Clarissa, Somerville House, 'Nosferatu'
Hibba, Islamic College of Brisbane, 'The Ladder'
Kate, Cannon Hill Anglican College, 'Yellow'
Sejun, Belmont State School, 'Brisbane, My Blanket'
Senuli, Brisbane School of Distance Education, 'The Puppeteer'

Senior Category:

Cole, Brisbane School of Distance Education, 'Saria'
Davis, St Columban's College, 'The day the ocean forgot us'
Lily, Sunshine Coast Grammar School, 'Prometheus and The Moths'
Robin, John Paul College, 'Fleeting'
Zane, Brisbane Grammar School, 'The Date Trees'

#2026 Winners!

Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Microfiction Competition! The winners are...

Sejun Jo, Junior Category

Lily Moseling, Senior Category

BWF and UQ thank all who entered, and congratulate Sejun, Lily, and those who were shortlisted.

Read the winning entries here!

2026 Prompt & Instructions

This year’s prompt is the 2026 YA and Schools program artwork by Rachel Tribout. Students are invited to write their microfiction piece inspired by the artwork as a whole, or elements of it.

Entrants are invited to respond to the prompt in no more than 120 words, using any written format (verse/prose). Shortlisted entrants will be invited to present a reading of their microfiction at the awards ceremony during the festival. The winner will receive a book pack for their school and a cash prize: $1,000 for the senior category and $500 for the junior category.

The 2026 competition is now closed.

Entries are with the judging panel and the BWF team will be in touch with shortlisted entrants before the festival.