Film Festivals AU

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 (4)

├─┤ Submissions ▬ Festival ┄ Approximate / recurring dates │ Today: 2026-11-08
Next festival edition and its preceding submission window; closed windows stay visible. Dashed boxes show possible months, not confirmed days. Scroll for all festivals and months; hover a row for dates.

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.
GCFFSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 22 Jan 2027. Opens mid-Aug · Closes late Jan. Festival: 28 Apr 2027 – 9 May 2027.
Heart of GoldSubmissions: opens Mar 2027 (approx.); closes 30 Jun 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Mar · Closes mid-year. Festival: Sep 2027 – Oct 2027 (approx.).
Port Shorts Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Apr 2027 (approx.); closes 1 Sep 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Apr · Closes early Sep. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).

4 of 33 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)
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)
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)
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)

Australian film festivals, sorted by what's next

Submission calendar (4)

Australia Independent Film Festival (AIFF)

Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF)

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

Port Shorts Film Festival