The 2025 Microfiction Competition, presented in partnership with The University of Queensland, called young writers from Queensland-based schools to respond to the prompt Determination. Entrants were invited to respond to the prompt in 120 words or less, using any written format (verse/prose).
The judging panel featured Gabriel Bergmoser, author and 2025 festival guest; Dr Melanie Saward, author, 2025 festival guest, and lecturer at UQ; and Lauren Mitchell, editor at UQP.
The shortlisted entrants were invited to present a reading of their microfiction story at the awards ceremony held at the festival (see photo galley below!). The shortlisted entrants for 2025 are:
Junior Category:
- Annabelle, Cannon Hill Anglican College
- Elizabeth, Brisbane State High School
- Georgina, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School
- Hibba, Islamic College of Brisbane
- Lucy, Mt Margaret's Anglican Girls School
Senior (High School) Category:
- Amelia, Coolum State High School
- Anson, Brisbane Grammar School
- Emma, St Rita's College
- Sadie, Cannon Hill Anglican College
- Tanisha, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School
- Wylie, Brisbane School of Distance Education
BWF and UQ thanks all who entered and congratulates those who were shortlisted.
The winners for 2025 are Elizabeth Fan-Hughes, for the Junior Category, and Anson Qiu-Tang, for the Senior Category. Congratulations Elizabeth and Anson! See below to read their winning microfiction stories.
Junior Category Winner: Elizabeth Fan-Hughes
Senior Category Winner: Anson Qiu-Tang
No Regrets by Elizabeth Fan-Hughes
Cold, tingling drops run down my forehead into my mouth. Salty. Another drop, and another. Cascading down my back. Limbs burning, begging me to stop. I don’t. Never succumb.
Ninety-eight, ninety-nine shots, last one and I put everything into it, and it misses by millimetres, I grudgingly restart. One, 2 shots. Why do I keep going? Bearing relentless ache. I could stop with a simple thought, sit down, relax.
Why bear this numbness, tearing in my body? No pay, no prize, no praise. No reward, but . . .
I could be elsewhere, why? Simply, the three words or determination. “I did it.” To look in the mirror and honestly, confidently, say I tried my best, no regrets.
Love’s Ritual by Anson Qiu-Tang
Every afternoon, like a daily ritual. The photo frame, though chipped, held a comforting weight. He absently traced the altar, the line of people on either side, the silk spilling around the woman.
The wind had parted her veil, twirling her blonde locks. A faint dimple caressed her freckled cheeks.
Her knew her. His lips parted. Nothing came.
Did he? He frowned. Bit his tongue. Tried again.
The photo blurred achingly.
A hand squeezed his.
“Everything alright, darling?”
He glanced over. A thinning strand of silver brushed against her faded freckles.
They’d made her wear a name tag again.
He stared, letting himself droop back into his chair, the colour returning to his whitened knuckles.
“Yes…” he hesitated. “My love.”
#Photo Gallery
