Australian film festivals, sorted by what's next

71 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 (17)

├─┤ Submissions ▬ Festival ┄ Approximate / recurring dates │ Today: 2026-11-09
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Festival
NiSFF
FLiCKERFEST
Antenna
Tropfest
NIFFA
FFFA
GCFF
SKFF
SFF
Rev
CinefestOZ
MIFF
SFC
VSFF
Dark Nights Film Fest
Monster Fest
AFF

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Includes festival dates for all current matches. Approximate dates cover the possible months and are marked tentative. This is a one-time import; changes here will not sync automatically.

Festival type All Major Short film Genre, identity & specialised

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State / territory NSW (22) VIC (20) QLD (16) WA (7) SA (4) TAS (3) ACT (5) NT (2)

Accepts Features (36) Shorts (70) Documentaries (55) Animation (45) Series & web series (14) Music videos (19) VR / XR (7) Screenplays (7)

Focus Genre (sci-fi, fantasy, cult) (11) Horror (7) Comedy (1) Science (2) Documentary (3) Experimental & underground (9) Independent cinema (30) LGBTQIA+ (7) Women & gender-diverse (3) First Nations (8) Disability (3) Multicultural & diaspora (2) Regional filmmakers (18) Local / state-made (15) Youth & students (18) Smartphone filmmaking (4) Surf & environment (5) Uplifting stories (4)

Awards & qualifying Academy Award® qualifying (4) BAFTA qualifying (2) AACTA qualifying (3) Cash prizes (44)

Premiere rules Premiere required (17) Premiere preferred (9) No premiere requirement (25)

Entry fees Free entry (14) Fee waivers available (8) Student rates (34)

Submit via FilmFreeway (65) Festhome (3) Festival website (8)

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

NiSFF
Short film

Newcastle International Short Film Festival (NiSFF)

Newcastle, NSW · The Royal Exchange Hybrid Performance Space & Cinema
Next: 20 Nov 2026 (in 11 days)

Closing soon · entries close 10 Nov

Festival
November

Entries
Opens Dec · Closes early Nov

Fees
~$7–$24 AUD ($6–$22 student)

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Short film festival held at The Royal Exchange in Newcastle celebrating Australian, regional NSW, and international short films up to 20 minutes across drama, comedy, horror, sci-fi, documentary, animation, and phone films. Newcastle premiere status strictly required.
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Genre (sci-fi, fantasy, cult)
- Experimental & underground
- Independent cinema
- Regional filmmakers
- Smartphone filmmaking
Details for Newcastle International Short 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)
Tropfest
Short film

Tropfest

Sydney, NSW · The Domain
Next: 13 Feb 2027 (in 3 months)

Entries open Dec

Festival
13 Feb 2027

Entries
Opens Dec · Closes early Jan

Fees
$65 early bird · $95 standard; currency unconfirmed

Submit via
Direct portal (festival website)

Short films including titles and credits, incorporating the 2027 signature item NECKLACE. Competition directors must be Australian citizens or permanent residents; international filmmakers may screen out of competition. World premiere required, with finalist exclusivity until 31 March 2027.
- Shorts
- Cash prizes
Details for Tropfest Submit (external site) Website (external site)
NIFFA
Genre, identity & specialised

National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA)

Sydney, NSW
Next: 17 Mar 2027 (in 4 months)

Open for entries · closes 10 Jan 2027

Festival
17 Mar–27 June 2027 · National circuit

Entries
Opens Oct · Closes Jan

Fees
Shorts $35–$75 · Features $50–$115 · Student rates available; currency unconfirmed

Submit via
FilmFreeway

National festival accepting features, documentaries and shorts connected to India, the Indian diaspora or Indo-Australian culture. Australian premiere required, and competition films must not be publicly available online. The 2027 circuit includes Sydney, regional NSW and other Australian capitals and regional centres.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Multicultural & diaspora
Details for National Indian Film Festival of Australia Submit (external site) Website (external site)
FFFA
Genre, identity & specialised

Fantastic Film Festival Australia (FFFA)

Melbourne, VIC & Sydney, NSW · Lido Cinemas & Ritz Cinemas
Next: 23 Apr 2027 (in 5 months)

Open for entries · closes 31 Jan 2027

Festival
April / May

Entries
Opens late Sep · Closes late Jan

Fees
$30–$60 AUD depending on tier and category

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Genre festival for sci-fi, horror, fantasy and boundary-pushing cinema, screening at Lido Cinemas (Melbourne) and Ritz Cinemas (Sydney). Australian features compete for the $10,000 Fantastic Film Prize, presented with Umbrella Entertainment. VIC and NSW premieres required for features.
- Features
- Shorts
- Animation
- Genre (sci-fi, fantasy, cult)
- Horror
- Cash prizes
Details for Fantastic Film Festival Australia 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)
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)
SFC
Genre, identity & specialised

Space Faring Civilisation Film Festival (SFC)

Canberra, ACT · Tuggeranong Arts Centre
Next: 13 Aug 2027 (in 9 months)

Open for entries · closes 1 Jun 2027

Festival
13–14 Aug 2027

Entries
Opens Sept · Closes early June

Fees
Shorts $15–$50 · Features $50–$90 · Student rates and free workshop category; currency unconfirmed

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Science-grounded, optimistic narratives, documentaries and animation, with shorts up to 30 minutes and a selected feature premiere. Features require Canberra premiere status; shorts have no prior-screening restriction. The workshop-participant category is free.
- Features
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Genre (sci-fi, fantasy, cult)
- Science
- Uplifting stories
Details for Space Faring Civilisation Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
VSFF
Short film

Very Short Film Festival (VSFF)

Hobart, TAS · State Cinema
Next: 3 Sep 2027 (in 10 months)

Entries open Feb 2027

Festival
September

Entries
Opens Feb · Closes early May

Fees
Free entry

Submit via
FilmFreeway

National short film festival premiering 2 to 5 minute Australian stories in Hobart before a nationwide tour. Competition films must incorporate the annual signature theme ('TURN' for 2027) and premiere at the festival. Free to enter across 18 & Under and 19 & Over categories.
- Shorts
- Documentaries
- Animation
- Independent cinema
- Regional filmmakers
- Youth & students
- Cash prizes
Details for Very Short 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)
Monster Fest
Genre, identity & specialised

Monster Fest

Melbourne, VIC · Cinema Nova
Next: Oct 2027 (in 11 months)

Entries open Jan 2027

Festival
October

Entries
Opens early year · Closes early Sep

Fees
Shorts $35–$60 AUD · Features $60–$90 AUD

Submit via
FilmFreeway

Horror, dark fantasy and extreme genre cinema. Features (60–120 min, Australian premiere) and shorts (15 min or less, Victorian premiere). Strict anti-AI policy.
- Features
- Shorts
- Animation
- Genre (sci-fi, fantasy, cult)
- Horror
- Cash prizes
Details for Monster Fest 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)

Browse Australian film festivals

Submissions

Open for entries now

Festival type

Short film festivals
Major festivals
Short films in Victoria
Short films in NSW
Short films in Queensland

State / territory

New South Wales
Victoria
Queensland
Western Australia
South Australia
Tasmania
Canberra & ACT
Northern Territory

Accepts

Feature films
Animation
Screenplays
Music videos
Web series & TV
VR / XR

Focus

Horror
Sci-fi, fantasy & genre
Documentary
LGBTQIA+ & queer
First Nations
Youth & students
Experimental & underground
Regional
Smartphone filmmaking
Surf & environment
Women & gender-diverse
Disability
Independent cinema

Awards & qualifying

Oscar, BAFTA & AACTA qualifying

Entry fees

Free to enter

Australian film festivals, sorted by what's next

Submission calendar (17)

Newcastle International Short Film Festival (NiSFF)

Flickerfest (FLiCKERFEST)

Antenna Documentary Film Festival (Antenna)

Tropfest

National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA)

Fantastic Film Festival Australia (FFFA)

Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF)

St Kilda Film Festival (SKFF)

Sydney Film Festival (SFF)

Revelation Perth International Film Festival (Rev)

CinefestOZ

Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF)

Space Faring Civilisation Film Festival (SFC)

Very Short Film Festival (VSFF)

Dark Nights Film Fest

Monster Fest

Adelaide Film Festival (AFF)