Truong family sweeps top prizes at 2026 SmartFone Flick Fest

Tez Vi Truong and his two children secured three top honors at the 12th annual SmartFone Flick Fest in Sydney on Nov. 1, leading a field of 400 global entries. The festival, held at the Sydney Opera House, distributed $50,000 in total prize money across its various categories.

Tez Vi Truong, a screenwriter, earned his second consecutive Best AI Film award for his 4:44-minute production, 'No.08.' His children, eight-year-old Alexis and six-year-old Charlie, also claimed victories in the festival's youth section. Alexis won the Best Documentary category for 'My Great Grandfather,' while Charlie received the Touch Finished on Mobile award for his short, 'Charlie’s Secret.'

According to Tez Vi Truong

This year marked the third consecutive time the family has entered the competition together. The festival featured 19 feature films and 16 AI-generated entries, with the Truong family's projects standing out among the record-breaking field of participants. According to Tez Vi Truong, the quality of submissions has intensified significantly, making the family's collective success particularly notable.

Tez Vi Truong said the family's filmmaking process is highly collaborative, with his wife, Doris, managing logistical and production requirements. While the children receive occasional guidance, they are responsible for generating their own concepts and executing the filming. The family's success highlights the growing accessibility of professional-grade filmmaking tools on mobile devices, a trend the Truongs have embraced as a creative outlet.