Australian film festivals, sorted by what's next

33 festivals and their submission windows, from the major international festivals to short film, genre and identity-focused events. Every listing links straight to the festival's official website and submission page.

Submission calendar (18)

├─┤ Submissions ▬ Festival ┄ Approximate / recurring dates │ Today: 2026-11-08
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Festival
PFF
FLiCKERFEST
FFF
AIFF
MWFF
GCFF
SKFF
SFF
Rev
CinefestOZ
FSFF
MIFF
SUFF
DIFF
CSFF
SSFFF
AFF
BBFF

Festival type All Major Short film Genre, identity & specialised

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State / territory NSW (12) VIC (10) QLD (4) WA (4) SA (2) ACT (1) NT (1)

Accepts Features (21) Shorts (33) Documentaries (26) Animation (20) Series & web series (8) Music videos (7) VR / XR (6) Screenplays (3)

Focus Genre (sci-fi, fantasy, cult) (6) Horror (2) Documentary (3) Experimental & underground (2) Independent cinema (18) LGBTQIA+ (3) Women & gender-diverse (1) First Nations (2) Regional filmmakers (11) Local / state-made (4) Youth & students (7) Smartphone filmmaking (2) Surf & environment (2) Uplifting stories (1)

Awards & qualifying Academy Award® qualifying (4) BAFTA qualifying (2) AACTA qualifying (3) Cash prizes (33)

Premiere rules Premiere required (11) Premiere preferred (6) No premiere requirement (14)

Entry fees Free entry (4) Fee waivers available (3) Student rates (21)

Submit via FilmFreeway (32) Festhome (1) Festival website (3)

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18 of 33 festivals · sorted by next festival date · Clear filters

PFF
Short film

Peninsula Film Festival (PFF)

Rosebud, VIC · Rosebud Village Green
Next: 8 Jan 2027 (in 2 months)

Closing soon · entries close 4 Dec

Festival
January

Entries
Opens Feb · Closes early Dec

Fees
$25 AUD standard ($15 Emerging Filmmaker Award)

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Iconic outdoor short film festival on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, judged live by a panel of celebrity judges with up to $30K in cash and prizes.
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Independent cinema
- Regional filmmakers
- Youth & students
- Cash prizes
Details for Peninsula Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
FLiCKERFEST
Short film

Flickerfest (FLiCKERFEST)

Bondi Beach, Sydney, NSW · Bondi Pavilion
Next: 22 Jan 2027 (in 2 months)

Entries open Jun 2027

Festival
January

Entries
Opens Jun · Closes mid-Oct

Fees
~$17–$60 AUD (Specsavers TVC ad competition free)

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Australia's leading Academy Award® and BAFTA qualifying international short film festival, staged at Bondi Pavilion on Bondi Beach. Requires Australian premieres for competitive shorts up to 35 minutes.
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Independent cinema
- Youth & students
- Academy Award® qualifying
- BAFTA qualifying
- Cash prizes
Details for Flickerfest Submit (external site) Website (external site)
FFF
Short film

Fleurieu Film Festival (FFF)

McLaren Vale, SA · McLaren Vale Visitor Centre
Next: 6 Feb 2027 (in 3 months)

Closing soon · entries close 1 Dec

Festival
February

Entries
Opens Jun · Closes early Dec

Fees
$20–$35 AUD ($28–$33 student)

Submit via
FilmFreeway

South Australia's premier outdoor short film festival held in the McLaren Vale wine region. Screens short fiction and documentaries with cash prizes and awards across Australian and international categories. Max 15 minutes.
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Independent cinema
- Regional filmmakers
- Cash prizes
Details for Fleurieu 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)
MWFF
Genre, identity & specialised

Melbourne Women in Film Festival (MWFF)

Melbourne, VIC · ACMI
Next: 18 Mar 2027 (in 4 months)

Entries open May 2027

Festival
March

Entries
Opens May · Closes early Oct

Fees
$20–$55 AUD depending on category and tier (waivers for First Nations & diverse creators)

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Short films (up to 20 min including credits) and web series with a woman or gender-diverse filmmaker in a key creative role, from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and Moana Oceania. Narrative, documentary, animation, music video and experimental work; no features. Generative AI banned.
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Series & web series
- Music videos
- Independent cinema
- Women & gender-diverse
- Cash prizes
Details for Melbourne Women in Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
GCFF
Major

Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF)

Gold Coast, QLD · HOTA (Home of the Arts)
Next: 28 Apr 2027 (in 5 months)

Open for entries · closes 22 Jan 2027

Festival
April / May

Entries
Opens mid-Aug · Closes late Jan

Fees
Scripts & Web Series $20–$40 AUD · Shorts & Features $40–$70 AUD

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Queensland festival held at HOTA celebrating features, SIPFEST short films, web series, and screenplays. Queensland premiere strictly required for feature and short film competition entries. AACTA Award-qualifying for features.
- Features
- Shorts
- Series & web series
- Screenplays
- Independent cinema
- AACTA qualifying
- Cash prizes
Details for Gold Coast Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
SKFF
Short film

St Kilda Film Festival (SKFF)

St Kilda, Melbourne, VIC · The Astor Theatre & Alex Theatre
Next: 3 Jun 2027 (in 7 months)

Open for entries · closes 15 Jan 2027

Festival
June

Entries
Opens Sep · Closes mid-Jan

Fees
Top Shorts ~$35–$60 AUD · Free for Under the Radar (youth)

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Australia's longest-running short film festival, produced by the City of Port Phillip and accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscar® qualifying). Showcases Australia's Top Short Films competition. Victorian premiere required.
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Music videos
- Independent cinema
- Youth & students
- Academy Award® qualifying
- AACTA qualifying
- Cash prizes
Details for St Kilda Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
SFF
Major

Sydney Film Festival (SFF)

Sydney, NSW · State Theatre & Dendy Newtown
Next: 9 Jun 2027 (in 7 months)

Open for entries · closes 26 Feb 2027

Festival
June

Entries
Opens Oct · Closes late Feb

Fees
~$45 AUD flat fee (free for First Nations & Screenability)

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Features, documentaries and shorts (under 40 min). NSW premiere strictly required for features. Home of the Academy-qualifying Dendy Awards, Sustainable Future Award, and the $20,000 Documentary Australia Award.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Independent cinema
- First Nations
- Academy Award® qualifying
- Cash prizes
Details for Sydney Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
Rev
Major

Revelation Perth International Film Festival (Rev)

Perth, WA · Luna Cinemas Leederville
Next: 7 Jul 2027 (in 8 months)

Open for entries · closes 28 Feb 2027

Festival
July

Entries
Opens late Aug · Closes late Feb

Fees
$40–$60 AUD flat fee across categories

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Western Australia's champion of independent, underground, documentary, and experimental screen culture. Western Australian premieres required for all feature-length projects.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- VR / XR
- Genre (sci-fi, fantasy, cult)
- Experimental & underground
- Independent cinema
- Local / state-made
- Cash prizes
Details for Revelation Perth International Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
CinefestOZ
Major

CinefestOZ

Busselton / Margaret River, WA
Next: Aug 2027 (in 9 months)

Entries open Feb 2027

Festival
August / September

Entries
Opens Feb · Closes June 1

Fees
~$50–$100 AUD depending on category

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Premieres Australian and French-Australian features, documentaries, and shorts across regional WA. Home of the prestigious $100,000 AUD CinefestOZ Film Prize; Western Australian premiere required.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Series & web series
- Music videos
- VR / XR
- Independent cinema
- Regional filmmakers
- Cash prizes
Details for CinefestOZ Submit (external site) Website (external site)
FSFF
Genre, identity & specialised

Far South Film Festival (FSFF)

Merimbula, NSW · The Twyford
Next: Aug 2027 (in 9 months)

Entries open Mar 2027

Festival
August

Entries
Opens Mar · Closes late May

Fees
~$25–$45 AUD

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Regional NSW festival showcasing films by regional and remote Australian filmmakers (at least two key creatives must reside in regional/remote Australia). Features short films under 40 minutes and features up to 90 minutes.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Independent cinema
- Regional filmmakers
- Cash prizes
Details for Far South Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
MIFF
Major

Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF)

Melbourne, VIC · ACMI, The Capitol, Forum Melbourne
Next: 5 Aug 2027 (in 9 months)

Open for entries · closes 16 Feb 2027

Festival
August

Entries
Opens mid-Oct · Closes mid-Feb

Fees
Shorts $50–$95 AUD · Features $90–$145 AUD

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Australia's largest and most significant film festival and home of the MIFF Shorts Awards (Academy Award®, BAFTA, and Canadian Screen Award qualifying). Victoria premiere required for all selections.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- VR / XR
- Independent cinema
- Academy Award® qualifying
- BAFTA qualifying
- Cash prizes
Details for Melbourne International Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
SUFF
Genre, identity & specialised

Sydney Underground Film Festival (SUFF)

Marrickville, Sydney, NSW · The Factory Theatre
Next: Sep 2027 (in 10 months)

Entries open Feb 2027

Festival
September

Entries
Opens Feb · Closes mid-Jul

Fees
Shorts $30–$55 AUD · Features $45–$75 AUD

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Dedicated to provocative, independent, counter-culture, and boundary-pushing cinema. Staged at The Factory Theatre in Marrickville across features, shorts, documentaries, and animation.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Genre (sci-fi, fantasy, cult)
- Experimental & underground
- Independent cinema
- Cash prizes
Details for Sydney Underground Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
DIFF
Deckchair Cinema photo by DaHuzyBru, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized).

Major

Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF)

Darwin, NT · Deckchair Cinema
Next: 9 Sep 2027 (in 10 months)

Entries open Mar 2027

Festival
September

Entries
Opens Mar · Closes mid-Jun

Fees
$15 AUD flat fee ($10 student)

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Iconic outdoor cinema festival held at the waterfront Deckchair Cinema in Darwin. Features international, Australian, and Southeast Asian cinema; selected shorts receive a $100 screening fee.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Independent cinema
- Regional filmmakers
- Cash prizes
Details for Darwin International Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
CSFF
Short film

Canberra Short Film Festival (CSFF)

Canberra, ACT · Dendy Cinemas Canberra Centre
Next: Oct 2027 (in 11 months)

Entries open Feb 2027

Festival
October

Entries
Opens Feb · Closes late Jun

Fees
~$25–$45 AUD

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Long-running ACT short film festival screening national and international shorts up to 20 minutes across fiction, documentary, animation, music videos, and local categories.
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Music videos
- Independent cinema
- First Nations
- Local / state-made
- Cash prizes
Details for Canberra Short Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
SSFFF
Genre, identity & specialised

Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival (SSFFF)

Sydney, NSW · Event Cinemas George St
Next: 15 Oct 2027 (in 11 months)

Open for entries · closes 27 Aug 2027

Festival
October

Entries
Opens mid-Oct · Closes late Aug

Fees
Shorts $20–$40 AUD · Features $40–$65 AUD

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Australia's premier dedicated science-fiction, fantasy, and speculative cinema festival. Showcases local and international speculative features, shorts, animations, and student works.
- Features
- Shorts
- Animation
- Genre (sci-fi, fantasy, cult)
- Independent cinema
- Cash prizes
Details for Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
AFF
Major

Adelaide Film Festival (AFF)

Adelaide, SA · Adelaide Studios
Next: 20 Oct 2027 (in 11 months)

Open for entries · closes 8 Jun 2027

Festival
October

Entries
Opens Nov · Closes early Jun

Fees
Shorts $40–$75 AUD · Features $80–$130 AUD

Submit via
FilmFreeway

South Australia's premier screen event showcasing Australian and international narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and series. Competitive festival requiring South Australian premieres for feature-length films.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Series & web series
- VR / XR
- Independent cinema
- Cash prizes
Details for Adelaide Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
BBFF
Major

Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF)

Byron Bay, NSW · Palace Byron Bay
Next: 22 Oct 2027 (in 11 months)

Open for entries · closes 31 Aug 2027

Festival
October

Entries
Opens Nov · Closes late Aug

Fees
$30–$75 AUD depending on category and tier

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Celebrates independent cinema across dramatic features, documentaries, shorts, animations, surf/environmental films, and VR/XR. Prefers NSW premieres for major titles and awards cash prizes.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Music videos
- VR / XR
- Screenplays
- Independent cinema
- Regional filmmakers
- Surf & environment
- Cash prizes
Details for Byron Bay International Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)

Australian film festivals, sorted by what's next

Submission calendar (18)

Peninsula Film Festival (PFF)

Flickerfest (FLiCKERFEST)

Fleurieu Film Festival (FFF)

Australia Independent Film Festival (AIFF)

Melbourne Women in Film Festival (MWFF)

Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF)

St Kilda Film Festival (SKFF)

Sydney Film Festival (SFF)

Revelation Perth International Film Festival (Rev)

CinefestOZ

Far South Film Festival (FSFF)

Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF)

Sydney Underground Film Festival (SUFF)

Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF)

Canberra Short Film Festival (CSFF)

Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival (SSFFF)

Adelaide Film Festival (AFF)

Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF)