Film Festivals AU

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 (3)

├─┤ Submissions ▬ Festival ┄ Approximate / recurring dates │ Today: 2026-11-08
Next festival edition and its preceding submission window; closed windows stay visible. Dashed boxes show possible months, not confirmed days. Scroll for all festivals and months; hover a row for dates.

Submission windows and festival dates for the current filters
Festival	Dates by month
MQFFSubmissions: opens May 2026 (approx.); closes 3 Aug 2026 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens May · Closes early Aug. Festival: Nov 2026 (approx.).
MGFFSubmissions: opens Sep 2026 (approx.); closes 8 Dec 2026. Opens mid-Sep · Closes early Dec. Festival: 18 Feb 2027 – 4 Mar 2027.
GPFFSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 29 Jan 2027. Opens Aug · Closes late Jan. Festival: 15 Apr 2027 – 18 Apr 2027.

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

MQFF
Genre, identity & specialised

Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF)

Melbourne, VIC · ACMI & Village Jam Factory
This month

Entries open May 2027

Festival
November

Entries
Opens May · Closes early Aug

Fees
Free for Australian entrants (waiver code by email); fees apply to international entries

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Australia's oldest and largest LGBTQIA+ film festival, screening more than 140 features, shorts and documentaries across Melbourne. Entry is free for Australian filmmakers.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- LGBTQIA+
- Cash prizes
Details for Melbourne Queer Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
MGFF
Genre, identity & specialised

Mardi Gras Film Festival (MGFF)

Sydney, NSW · Event Cinemas George St & Dendy Newtown
Next: 18 Feb 2027 (in 3 months)

Closing soon · entries close 8 Dec

Festival
February / March

Entries
Opens mid-Sep · Closes early Dec

Fees
Shorts $30–$40 AUD · Features $50–$60 AUD

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Organised by Queer Screen, MGFF is one of the world's largest LGBTQIA+ film festivals. Home of the 'My Queer Career' Australian short film competition with over $16,000 AUD in prizes and no Sydney premiere requirement.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Series & web series
- LGBTQIA+
- Cash prizes
Details for Mardi Gras Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
GPFF
Genre, identity & specialised

Geelong Pride Film Festival (GPFF)

Geelong, VIC · Pivotonian Cinema
Next: 15 Apr 2027 (in 5 months)

Open for entries · closes 29 Jan 2027

Festival
April

Entries
Opens Aug · Closes late Jan

Fees
Shorts $15–$25 AUD · Features $25–$40 AUD

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Regional Victoria's premier LGBTQIA+ film festival celebrating queer cinema from Australia and around the world. Accepts narrative features, shorts, documentaries, animation, and web series.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Series & web series
- LGBTQIA+
- Regional filmmakers
- Cash prizes
Details for Geelong Pride Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)

Submission windows and festival dates for the current filters
Festival
MQFF
MGFF
GPFF

Australian film festivals, sorted by what's next

Submission calendar (3)

Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF)

Mardi Gras Film Festival (MGFF)

Geelong Pride Film Festival (GPFF)