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 (26)

├─┤ Submissions ▬ Festival ┄ Approximate / recurring dates │ Today: 2026-11-08
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Submission windows and festival dates for the current filters
Festival
Made in the West Film Festival
MQFF
SF3
PFF
FLiCKERFEST
Antenna
FFF
AIFF
MGFF
WAMFF
MWFF
GPFF
SKFF
SFF
MDFF
Rev
CinefestOZ
FSFF
MIFF
Heart of Gold
SUFF
DIFF
CSFF
EFFA
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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26 of 33 festivals · sorted by next festival date · Clear filters

Made in the West Film Festival
Short film

Made in the West Film Festival

Liverpool, NSW · Event Cinemas Liverpool
This month

Entries open Mar 2027

Festival
November

Entries
Opens Mar · Closes early Oct

Fees
$35–$50 AUD (early bird to late round)

Submit via
Direct portal (festival website)

Western Sydney's flagship short film festival, screening finalists at Event Cinemas Liverpool. Films must be under 30 minutes and have cast, crew or locations from Western Sydney.
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Series & web series
- Music videos
- Regional filmmakers
- Local / state-made
- Cash prizes
Details for Made in the West Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
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)
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)
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)
Antenna
Genre, identity & specialised

Antenna Documentary Film Festival (Antenna)

Sydney, NSW
Next: 4 Feb 2027 (in 3 months)

Entries open Apr 2027

Festival
February

Entries
Opens Apr · Closes late Oct

Fees
Shorts $15–$30 USD · Features $25–$30 USD

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Creative non-fiction from Australia and around the world. Feature documentaries (60 min or longer) compete for a $10,000 cash prize; Australian short documentaries (30 min or less) compete for $5,000. Sydney premiere required.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Documentary
- Cash prizes
Details for Antenna Documentary Film Festival 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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
MDFF
Genre, identity & specialised

Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (MDFF)

Melbourne, VIC · Cinema Nova
Next: Jul 2027 (in 8 months)

Open for entries · closes May 2027

Festival
July

Entries
Opens June · Closes May

Fees
~$10–$62 AUD depending on tier and category

Submit via
FilmFreeway & Festhome

Dedicated Australian documentary showcase presenting local and international non-fiction features and shorts, VR/XR, and pitching competitions across cinema and streaming formats.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- VR / XR
- Documentary
- Cash prizes
Details for Melbourne Documentary 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)
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)
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)
EFFA
Genre, identity & specialised

Environmental Films Australia (EFFA)

Melbourne, VIC · Kino Cinema & Palace Westgarth
Next: Oct 2027 (in 11 months)

Entries open Jun 2027

Festival
October

Entries
Opens mid-year · Closes late Aug

Fees
~$25–$50 AUD depending on category

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Formerly Environmental Film Festival Australia. Volunteer-run Melbourne festival of documentary, narrative, experimental and animated films about climate, environments and the natural world. Features 40+ minutes, shorts 1–39 minutes; Australian, NZ and First Nations work especially welcome.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Documentary
- Surf & environment
- Cash prizes
Details for Environmental Films Australia 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 (26)

Made in the West Film Festival

Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF)

SmartFone Flick Fest (SF3)

Peninsula Film Festival (PFF)

Flickerfest (FLiCKERFEST)

Antenna Documentary Film Festival (Antenna)

Fleurieu Film Festival (FFF)

Australia Independent Film Festival (AIFF)

Mardi Gras Film Festival (MGFF)

WA Made Film Festival (WAMFF)

Melbourne Women in Film Festival (MWFF)

Geelong Pride Film Festival (GPFF)

St Kilda Film Festival (SKFF)

Sydney Film Festival (SFF)

Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (MDFF)

Revelation Perth International Film Festival (Rev)

CinefestOZ

Far South Film Festival (FSFF)

Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF)

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

Sydney Underground Film Festival (SUFF)

Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF)

Canberra Short Film Festival (CSFF)

Environmental Films Australia (EFFA)

Adelaide Film Festival (AFF)

Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF)