Australian film festivals 2027: dates & submission deadlines

Submission windows and festival dates for the current filters
Festival	Dates by month
AIFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2026 (approx.); closes 18 Sep 2026 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Feb · Closes mid-Sep. Festival: 12 Feb 2027 – 13 Feb 2027.
SWIFFSubmissions: opens Jan 2026 (approx.); closes 30 Nov 2026. Opens Jan · Closes Nov. Festival: 11 Apr 2027 – 17 Apr 2027.
GCFFSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 22 Jan 2027. Opens mid-Aug · Closes late Jan. Festival: 28 Apr 2027 – 9 May 2027.
AIFFSubmissions: opens Jan 2027 (approx.); closes Jun 2027 (approx.). Opens Jan · Closes June. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).
Dark Nights Film FestSubmissions: opening TBC; closing TBC. Opening TBC · Closes Aug. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).
AFINSubmissions: opens Oct 2026 (approx.); closes 27 Jun 2027. Opens late Oct · Closes late Jun. Festival: 10 Oct 2027 – 23 Oct 2027.
BBFFSubmissions: opens Nov 2026 (approx.); closes 31 Aug 2027. Opens Nov · Closes late Aug. Festival: 22 Oct 2027 – 31 Oct 2027.

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

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)
SWIFF
Genre, identity & specialised

Sydney Women’s International Film Festival (SWIFF)

Sydney, NSW · Palace Cinemas Moore Park
Next: 11 Apr 2027 (in 5 months)

Closing soon · entries close 30 Nov

Festival
11–17 Apr 2027

Entries
Opens Jan · Closes Nov

Fees
Shorts/music videos $37–$105 · Features $100–$200 · Other categories vary; currency unconfirmed

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Features, shorts, documentaries, animation, music videos, web series and screenplays supporting women and non-binary filmmakers. Film entries require both an eligible key creative and protagonist. NSW cinematic release and online availability restrictions apply, with exceptions for web series and music videos.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Series & web series
- Music videos
- Screenplays
- Women & gender-diverse
- Smartphone filmmaking
Details for Sydney Women’s International 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)
AIFF
Short film

Adelaide Independent Film Festival (AIFF)

Adelaide, SA · Capri Theatre and Mercury Cinema
Next: Oct 2027 (in 11 months)

Entries open Jan 2027

Festival
October

Entries
Opens Jan · Closes June

Fees
Paid categories vary · Middle Eastern short-film category free

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Australian and international short films in any genre, completed in any year, with no strict premiere requirement. Includes animation, documentary, student, South Australian and First Nations categories, plus a screenplay program. Student films have a shorter 20-minute limit.
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Screenplays
- Independent cinema
- First Nations
- Local / state-made
- Youth & students
Details for Adelaide Independent Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
Dark Nights Film Fest
Genre, identity & specialised

Dark Nights Film Fest

Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW · The Reservoir Cinema
Next: Oct 2027 (in 11 months)

Submission dates TBC

Festival
October

Entries
Opening TBC · Closes Aug

Fees
Fee schedule not confirmed

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Horror and dark-genre short films, webisodes, narrative music videos and unproduced screenplays. Film submissions must be under 30 minutes, retain NSW premiere status and meet public-availability restrictions. The festival reserves most short-film slots for its open call.
- Shorts
- Animation
- Series & web series
- Music videos
- Screenplays
- Genre (sci-fi, fantasy, cult)
- Horror
- Independent cinema
Details for Dark Nights Film Fest Submit (external site) Website (external site)
AFIN
Genre, identity & specialised

AFIN International Film Festival (AFIN)

Brisbane, QLD · SunPAC & Dendy Cinemas Portside
Next: 10 Oct 2027 (in 11 months)

Open for entries · closes 27 Jun 2027

Festival
October

Entries
Opens late Oct · Closes late Jun

Fees
Shorts $26–$44 AUD · Features $33–$50 AUD (free for First Nations)

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Brisbane-based international festival celebrating independent cinema across features, shorts, documentaries, animations, series, and screenplays. Features 22 award categories with crystal trophies and memberships, plus free entry for Australian First Nations filmmakers. No strict premiere required, though premieres are prioritised.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Series & web series
- Screenplays
- Genre (sci-fi, fantasy, cult)
- Horror
- Independent cinema
- First Nations
Details for AFIN International 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 (7)

Australia Independent Film Festival (AIFF)

Sydney Women’s International Film Festival (SWIFF)

Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF)

Adelaide Independent Film Festival (AIFF)

Dark Nights Film Fest

AFIN International Film Festival (AFIN)

Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF)