Australian film festivals 2026–27: dates & submission deadlines

Submission windows and festival dates for the current filters
Festival	Dates by month
Understory Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Jun 2026 (approx.); closes 12 Oct 2026. Opens June · Closes Oct. Festival: 21 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026.
AIFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2026 (approx.); closes 18 Sep 2026 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Feb · Closes mid-Sep. Festival: 12 Feb 2027 – 13 Feb 2027.
WEFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2027 (approx.); closes May 2027 (approx.). Opens Feb · Closes May. Festival: Jun 2027 (approx.).
SLSFFSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 31 May 2027. Opens Aug · Closes late May. Festival: 6 Aug 2027 – 7 Aug 2027.
Heart of GoldSubmissions: opens Mar 2027 (approx.); closes 30 Jun 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Mar · Closes mid-year. Festival: Sep 2027 – Oct 2027 (approx.).
UDFFSubmissions: opens Mar 2027 (approx.); closes Jun 2027 (approx.). Opens Mar · Closes June. Festival: Sep 2027 (approx.).
Fraser Shorts Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Oct 2026 (approx.); closes Sep 2027 (approx.). Opens Oct · Closes Sept. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).
Port Shorts Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Apr 2027 (approx.); closes 1 Sep 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Apr · Closes early Sep. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).

8 of 71 festivals · sorted by next festival date · Clear filters

Understory Film Festival
Short film

Understory Film Festival

Cairns, QLD · Tank 5, Tanks Arts Centre
Next: 21 Nov 2026 (in 12 days)

Entries open Jun 2027

Festival
21 Nov 2026

Entries
Opens June · Closes Oct

Fees
Free

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Short films by North and Far North Queensland filmmakers, including residents from Townsville through Cape York, the Gulf and Torres Strait Islands. Accepts documentary, animation, drama, experimental work and music videos; Best Film and People's Choice each receive a $2,500 cash prize.
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Music videos
- Regional filmmakers
- Local / state-made
- Cash prizes
Details for Understory Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
AIFF
Short film

Australia Independent Film Festival (AIFF)

Brisbane, QLD · Palace Cinemas James Street
Next: 12 Feb 2027 (in 3 months)

Entries open Feb 2027

Festival
February

Entries
Opens Feb · Closes mid-Sep

Fees
~$25–$50 AUD depending on category

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Brisbane-based celebration of exceptional independent cinema from Queensland, Australia, and internationally. Features narrative shorts, documentaries, student films, and screenplays with no strict premiere restrictions.
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Screenplays
- Independent cinema
- Cash prizes
Details for Australia Independent Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
WEFF
Short film

West End Film Festival (WEFF)

West End, Brisbane, QLD · SAE Brisbane
Next: Jun 2027 (in 7 months)

Entries open Feb 2027

Festival
June

Entries
Opens Feb · Closes May

Fees
Fee schedule not confirmed

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Australian short films across genres, including documentary and experimental work. Films must be strictly under 20 minutes and either South-East Queensland-made or Australian productions. Older films can screen, although award eligibility has a more recent completion requirement.
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Independent cinema
- Local / state-made
Details for West End Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
SLSFF
Short film

Sparrowland Short Film Festival (SLSFF)

Brisbane, QLD · PIP Theatre
Next: 6 Aug 2027 (in 9 months)

Open for entries · closes 31 May 2027

Festival
August

Entries
Opens Aug · Closes late May

Fees
~$10–$30 AUD

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Independent short film festival held at PIP Theatre in Milton, Brisbane, dedicated to unique, heartfelt short films up to 20 minutes. Accepts drama, comedy, horror, queer, animation, student, music video, and documentary works. No premiere requirements.
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Series & web series
- Music videos
- Horror
- Independent cinema
- LGBTQIA+
- Youth & students
Details for Sparrowland Short Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
Heart of Gold
Short film

Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival (Heart of Gold)

Gympie, QLD
Next: Sep 2027 (in 10 months)

Entries open Mar 2027

Festival
September / October

Entries
Opens Mar · Closes mid-year

Fees
~$30–$50 AUD

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Regional Queensland festival celebrating heartwarming, inspiring, and uplifting short films from Australia and worldwide. Features fiction, documentary, animation, and student works. Max 30 minutes.
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Regional filmmakers
- Uplifting stories
- Cash prizes
Details for Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
UDFF
Short film

Underdog Film Fest (UDFF)

Kingston, Logan, QLD · Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct
Next: Sep 2027 (in 10 months)

Entries open Mar 2027

Festival
September

Entries
Opens Mar · Closes June

Fees
Early entry $7.50 student / $12.50 general · Later rates unconfirmed

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Independent short-film festival in Logan, welcoming diverse filmmakers including First Nations and LGBTQIA+ creators. Australian-made films compete; international shorts may enter an out-of-competition category using a requested waiver. Selected films require hardcoded English subtitles.
- Shorts
- Independent cinema
- LGBTQIA+
- First Nations
- Local / state-made
Details for Underdog Film Fest Submit (external site) Website (external site)
Fraser Shorts Film Festival
Short film

Fraser Shorts Film Festival

Maryborough / Hervey Bay, QLD · Brolga Theatre and Big Screen Cinema
Next: Oct 2027 (in 11 months)

Open for entries · closes Sep 2027

Festival
October

Entries
Opens Oct · Closes Sept

Fees
$30 flat fee · Previous-cycle rate; currency unconfirmed

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Short films across fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, environmental, First Nations, music video and student categories. Screenings take place in Maryborough and Hervey Bay. Only films made in the Fraser Coast region qualify for the local category.
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Music videos
- Experimental & underground
- First Nations
- Regional filmmakers
- Local / state-made
- Youth & students
- Surf & environment
Details for Fraser Shorts Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
Port Shorts Film Festival
Short film

Port Shorts Film Festival

Port Douglas, QLD · Rex Smeal Park
Next: Oct 2027 (in 11 months)

Entries open Apr 2027

Festival
October

Entries
Opens Apr · Closes early Sep

Fees
~$30–$45 AUD

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Tropical outdoor short film festival in Far North Queensland and an official AACTA Awards qualifying event. Features Open, Local, Music Video, and Reel Futures youth categories under the palms at Rex Smeal Park.
- Shorts
- Music videos
- Regional filmmakers
- Youth & students
- AACTA qualifying
- Cash prizes
Details for Port Shorts Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)

Australian film festivals, sorted by what's next

Submission calendar (8)

Understory Film Festival

Australia Independent Film Festival (AIFF)

West End Film Festival (WEFF)

Sparrowland Short Film Festival (SLSFF)

Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival (Heart of Gold)

Underdog Film Fest (UDFF)

Fraser Shorts Film Festival

Port Shorts Film Festival

Festival
Understory Film Festival
AIFF
WEFF
SLSFF
Heart of Gold
UDFF
Fraser Shorts Film Festival
Port Shorts Film Festival