Australian film festivals, sorted by what's next

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

1. 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)

2. 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)