Goway Travel concluded its first Micro Film Festival on September 18, celebrating short-form storytelling through travel.
The festival, launched in honor of Goway's 55th anniversary, invited travelers, travel advisors and professional creators to share their journeys in compelling 55-second films.
The competition received hundreds of submissions from participants vying for $55,000 in prizes.
Films were judged by industry experts including Annie Greenberg, Executive Creative Director at Lonely Planet; Paul Telner, Head of Programming at Viral Nation; and Alisia Palczewski, Producer at GoPro.
The festival featured two events. The Audience Choice event during the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11 allowed attendees to vote and shortlist films in the Professional Creator category. The Grand Finale in Los Angeles revealed winners across three categories before an audience of travel enthusiasts, creators and industry leaders.
Ceera Machotka won the Travel Advisor category with "Fueled by Wonder: 55 Seconds Around the World." Samantha Merson claimed the Everyday Globetrotter category with "The Land of Endless Adventure," featuring New Zealand. Isabelle Victoria of Los Angeles took the Professional Creator category with "Part of Me," showcasing Japan.
"We're thrilled by the creativity and passion that shone through each submission," said Mitchell Alexander Fawcett, Vice President of Marketing at Goway. "From travel advisors and everyday travelers to professional creators, the films reflected the true wonder of travel and the power of storytelling in just 55 seconds."
The festival marks a new chapter in travel storytelling, with short-form video continuing to inspire globetrotters worldwide. The event will return in 2026, expanding opportunities for travelers to share their adventures.
Goway partnered with sponsors, including Platinum sponsor Turkish Airlines, Gold sponsors Tourism Authority of Thailand and Qantas, Silver sponsors Australia's Northern Territory and South Australia, and Bronze sponsors Destination New South Wales, Queensland Australia, Cook Islands and Tourism Ireland.
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