Australian film festivals, sorted by what's next

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

1. SF3

   Genre, identity & specialised

   SmartFone Flick Fest (SF3)

   Sydney, NSW · Sydney Opera House
   This month

   Open for entries · closes 1 Sep 2027

   Festival

   October / November

   Entries

   Opens Nov · Closes early Sep

   Fees

   SF3 Kids Free · Shorts $25–$40 AUD · Features $40–$60 AUD

   Submit via

   FilmFreeway

   Australia's international smartphone film festival dedicated to films shot entirely on mobile phones and tablets. Features competitions for Gala Shorts (under 20 mins), Feature Films, SF3 Kids, and SF3 Mini.

   • Features
   • Shorts
   • Documentaries
   • Youth & students
   • Smartphone filmmaking
   • Cash prizes

   Details for SmartFone Flick Fest Submit ↗ (external site) Website ↗ (external site)

2. 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)

3. 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)

4. WAMFF

   Genre, identity & specialised

   WA Made Film Festival (WAMFF)

   Perth, WA · Palace Cinemas Raine Square
   Next: 18 Feb 2027 (in 3 months)

   Closing soon · entries close 1 Dec

   Festival

   February

   Entries

   Opens Aug · Closes early Dec

   Fees

   Shorts $15 AUD · Long Shorts $25 AUD · Features $35 AUD

   Submit via

   FilmFreeway

   Western Australia's largest celebration of exclusively WA-made screen content, showcasing features, documentaries, shorts, web series, and the 'Get Smart!' smartphone film competition.

   • Features
   • Shorts
   • Documentaries
   • Series & web series
   • Local / state-made
   • Youth & students
   • Smartphone filmmaking
   • Cash prizes

   Details for WA Made Film Festival Submit ↗ (external site) Website ↗ (external site)

5. SWIFF / Nextwave

   Genre, identity & specialised

   Screenwave / Nextwave Youth Film Fest (SWIFF / Nextwave)

   Coffs Harbour, NSW · CHEC Theatre
   Next: Apr 2027 (in 5 months)

   Entries open Jun 2027

   Festival

   April

   Entries

   Opens mid-year · Closes late Oct

   Fees

   Free entry for Australian youth (ages 10–25)

   Submit via

   FilmFreeway

   Presented by SWIFF (Screenwave International Film Festival), Nextwave is Australia's largest regional youth short film festival open to filmmakers aged 10-25 with films up to 5 minutes.

   • Shorts
   • Regional filmmakers
   • Youth & students
   • Cash prizes

   Details for Screenwave / Nextwave Youth Film Fest Submit ↗ (external site) Website ↗ (external site)

6. 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)

7. 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)