The 2026 Microfiction Competition, presented in partnership with The University of Queensland, called young writers from Queensland-based schools to respond to the artwork prompt by Rachel Tribout. Entrants were invited to respond to the prompt in 120 words or less, using any written format (verse/prose).
The judging panel featured Carla Salmon, author and 2026 festival guest; Amber Gwynne, 2026 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. The shortlisted entrants for 2026 are:
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'
BWF and UQ thanks all who entered and congratulates those who were shortlisted.
The winners for 2026 are Sejun Jo, for the Junior Category, and Lily Moseling, for the Senior Category. Congratulations Sejun and Lily! See below to read their winning microfiction stories.
Junior Category Winner: Sejun Jo
Senior Category Winner: Lily Moseling
Brisbane, My Blanket by Sejun Jo
Today, I decided to do something extraordinary.
I climbed to the top of the Brisbane skyline and looked down.
The whole city spread beneath me like an open book. I could see it all. Kangaroo Point, where the smell of our barbecue once floated up into the sky. The bridge I used to look up at from the ferry, now tiny beneath my feet. My friends shrunk to little ants, rushing and tumbling below. And there was my scary teacher, smaller than me for the very first time. The wide green field where my whole family used to run, laughing so loud the birds flew away.
Even on days I didn't want to go to school. Even after fighting with my friends. Even when Mum was angry at me. My city was always there.
Then, slowly, Brisbane's beautiful sky wrapped itself around me like a blanket. I closed my eyes.
I was home.
Prometheus and The Moths by Lily Moseling
Did the inventor of the light bulb foresee what darkness would ensue?
We are moths, basking in the brilliant glory of our demise.
Boots, boots.
I cling to gossamer memories, tautening my cheeks until the mud flakes off. They’ll thread wire through my veins and fold my hands over a rifle once more, once more.
Smile, you’re trigger happy, remember?
Wrench me from my soul, condemn me to eternal operation.
Boots, boots.
How gentle it was, to know only of love. To be soft and pinkish like a freshly unfurled petal. Rest me underneath flowers that have seen the same sun as I.
Only brokers play God.
Boots, boots.
I ask the bullet between my teeth: who forsakes the moths?