Animation film festivals in Australia listed here are festivals tagged as accepting animated work, including events with animation categories within a wider programme. This is not limited to dedicated animation festivals. Check whether the relevant category accepts your film’s length, technique and subject, and review production eligibility and premiere conditions before choosing an entry option.
Submission calendar (45)
├─┤ Submissions▬ Festival┄ Approximate / recurring dates│ Today: 2026-11-09
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
Bauhaus Bendigo Short Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Apr 2026 (approx.); closes Oct 2026 (approx.). Opens Apr · Closing dates conflict between Sept and Oct. Festival: 8 Nov 2026 – 15 Nov 2026.
Made in the West Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Mar 2026 (approx.); closes 9 Oct 2026 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Mar · Closes early Oct. Festival: Nov 2026 (approx.).
MQFFSubmissions: opens May 2026 (approx.); closes 3 Aug 2026 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens May · Closes early Aug. Festival: Nov 2026 (approx.).
MFFSubmissions: opening TBC; closing TBC. Current entries closed · Next window TBC. Festival: Jun 2026 – Nov 2026 (approx.).
CCFFSubmissions: opens Mar 2026 (approx.); closes 1 Sep 2026. Opens Mar · Closes early Sept. Festival: 14 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026.
NiSFFSubmissions: opens Dec 2025 (approx.); closes 10 Nov 2026. Opens Dec · Closes early Nov. Festival: 20 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026.
Understory Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Jun 2026 (approx.); closes 12 Oct 2026. Opens June · Closes Oct. Festival: 21 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026.
CFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2026 (approx.); closes 1 Nov 2026 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Feb · Closes early Nov. Festival: Jan 2027 (approx.).
PFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2026 (approx.); closes 4 Dec 2026. Opens Feb · Closes early Dec. Festival: 8 Jan 2027 – 12 Jan 2027.
FLiCKERFESTSubmissions: opens Jun 2026 (approx.); closes 14 Oct 2026. Opens Jun · Closes mid-Oct. Festival: 22 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027.
AIFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2026 (approx.); closes 18 Sep 2026 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Feb · Closes mid-Sep. Festival: 12 Feb 2027 – 13 Feb 2027.
MGFFSubmissions: opens Sep 2026 (approx.); closes 8 Dec 2026. Opens mid-Sep · Closes early Dec. Festival: 18 Feb 2027 – 4 Mar 2027.
BFFSubmissions: opens Jul 2026 (approx.); closes 29 Oct 2026. Opens Jul · Closes late Oct. Festival: 25 Feb 2027 – 6 Mar 2027.
LCASubmissions: opens Feb 2027 (approx.); closes Mar 2027 (approx.). Opens Feb · Closes early Mar. Festival: Mar 2027 (approx.).
NIFFASubmissions: opens Oct 2026 (approx.); closes 10 Jan 2027. Opens Oct · Closes Jan. Festival: 17 Mar 2027 – 27 Jun 2027.
MWFFSubmissions: opens May 2026 (approx.); closes 2 Oct 2026. Opens May · Closes early Oct. Festival: 18 Mar 2027 – 21 Mar 2027.
Over The FenceSubmissions: opens Nov 2026 (approx.); closes 20 Dec 2026. Open by Nov · Closes late Dec. Festival: 9 Apr 2027 – 11 Apr 2027.
SWIFFSubmissions: opens Jan 2026 (approx.); closes 30 Nov 2026. Opens Jan · Closes Nov. Festival: 11 Apr 2027 – 17 Apr 2027.
GPFFSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 29 Jan 2027. Opens Aug · Closes late Jan. Festival: 15 Apr 2027 – 18 Apr 2027.
FFFASubmissions: opens Sep 2026 (approx.); closes 31 Jan 2027. Opens late Sep · Closes late Jan. Festival: 23 Apr 2027 – 16 May 2027.
MNFFSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 31 Mar 2027. Opens Aug · Closes Mar. Festival: 1 May 2027 – 2 May 2027.
SKFFSubmissions: opens Sep 2026 (approx.); closes 15 Jan 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Sep · Closes mid-Jan. Festival: 3 Jun 2027 – 13 Jun 2027.
RevSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 28 Feb 2027. Opens late Aug · Closes late Feb. Festival: 7 Jul 2027 – 18 Jul 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.).
RTBFFSubmissions: opens Mar 2027 (approx.); closes Jul 2027 (approx.). Opens Mar · Closes July. Festival: Sep 2027 – Oct 2027 (approx.).
SUFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2027 (approx.); closes 15 Jul 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Feb · Closes mid-Jul. Festival: Sep 2027 (approx.).
VSFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2027 (approx.); closes 7 May 2027. Opens Feb · Closes early May. Festival: 3 Sep 2027 – 5 Sep 2027.
AIFFSubmissions: opens Jan 2027 (approx.); closes Jun 2027 (approx.). Opens Jan · Closes June. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).
CSFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2027 (approx.); closes 30 Jun 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Feb · Closes late Jun. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).
Dark Nights Film FestSubmissions: opening TBC; closing TBC. Opening TBC · Closes Aug. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).
EFFASubmissions: opens Jun 2027 (approx.); closes 31 Aug 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens mid-year · Closes late Aug. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).
Fraser Shorts Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Oct 2026 (approx.); closes Sep 2027 (approx.). Opens Oct · Closes Sept. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).
Monster FestSubmissions: opens Jan 2027 (approx.); closes 1 Sep 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens early year · Closes early Sep. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).
STUFFit Student Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Feb 2027 (approx.); closes 25 Jun 2027. Opens late Feb · Closes June. Festival: 2 Oct 2027 – 2 Oct 2027.
AFINSubmissions: opens Oct 2026 (approx.); closes 27 Jun 2027. Opens late Oct · Closes late Jun. Festival: 10 Oct 2027 – 23 Oct 2027.
SSFFFSubmissions: opens Oct 2026 (approx.); closes 27 Aug 2027. Opens mid-Oct · Closes late Aug. Festival: 15 Oct 2027 – 17 Oct 2027.
BBFFSubmissions: opens Nov 2026 (approx.); closes 31 Aug 2027. Opens Nov · Closes late Aug. Festival: 22 Oct 2027 – 31 Oct 2027.
Cinematic Horror Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Apr 2027 (approx.); closes 31 Aug 2027. Opens Apr · Closes Aug. Festival: 31 Oct 2027 – 31 Oct 2027.
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.
Bendigo, VIC · La Trobe Art Institute and Hargreaves Mall Civic Screen On now
Entries open Apr 2027
Festival
8–15 Nov 2026
Entries
Opens Apr · Closing dates conflict between Sept and Oct
Fees
$10–$50 across student and standard categories; currency unconfirmed
Submit via
FilmFreeway
International shorts exploring Bauhaus design, architecture and experimental film, with a Greater Bendigo residents' category. Selected films screen at a launch event and on the outdoor civic screen. Films must be suitable for a general audience.
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.
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.
June premiere · Tour to Nov · Online season from Nov
Entries
Current entries closed · Next window TBC
Fees
Free
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Short films exploring multiculturalism, cultural diversity and social cohesion, with Victorian, national and international eligibility varying by award. Includes fiction, documentary, animation and music video. The 2026 program premiered at ACMI, tours Victoria and has an SBS On Demand season.
Ettalong Beach, NSW · Cinema Paradiso Next: 14 Nov 2026 (in 5 days)
Entries open Mar 2027
Festival
14–21 Nov 2026
Entries
Opens Mar · Closes early Sept
Fees
$10–$115 AUD across categories · Student and local rates available
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Australian and international features, mid-length films and shorts, with documentary, animation, music video and experimental categories. Dedicated categories recognise Central Coast productions, students, under-18 filmmakers and First Nations work.
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.
Cairns, QLD · Tank 5, Tanks Arts Centre Next: 21 Nov 2026 (in 12 days)
Entries open Jun 2027
Festival
21 Nov 2026
Entries
Opens June · Closes Oct
Fees
Free
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Short films by North and Far North Queensland filmmakers, including residents from Townsville through Cape York, the Gulf and Torres Strait Islands. Accepts documentary, animation, drama, experimental work and music videos; Best Film and People's Choice each receive a $2,500 cash prize.
Yeppoon, QLD · Yeppoon Town Hall Next: Jan 2027 (in 2 months)
Entries open Feb 2027
Festival
January
Entries
Opens Feb · Closes early Nov
Fees
Shorts $10–$30 AUD · Features $50–$65 AUD
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Central Queensland festival screening features, documentaries, shorts (under 30 min), and experimental video art. Offers over $4,000 AUD in cash prizes across world-open and dedicated Central Queensland (CQ) categories. No premiere required for short films.
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.
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.
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.
Melbourne, VIC · RMIT - The Capitol Next: 25 Feb 2027 (in 3 months)
Entries open Jul 2027
Festival
Feb / Mar
Entries
Opens Jul · Closes late Oct
Fees
Free to $10 AUD (Shorts) · $10–$25 AUD (Features)
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Australia's premier Indigenous-led biennial film festival celebrating First Nations storytelling through cinema. Features, documentaries, shorts, animations, and VR/XR works, requiring the director or writer/producer to be Indigenous. No premiere status required.
Canberra, ACT · Senate Rose Gardens, Old Parliament House Next: Mar 2027 (in 4 months)
Entries open Feb 2027
Festival
March
Entries
Opens Feb · Closes early Mar
Fees
$22 student/under-18/inclusive teams · $33 general; currency unconfirmed
Submit via
Direct portal (festival website)
Ten-day filmmaking challenge using an announced theme and Canberra items or locations, followed by a public gala screening. Films can run up to seven minutes including credits. Student, under-18 and disability-inclusive team categories have reduced entry rates.
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.
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 under 15m $28–$45 AUD · Shorts 16–40m $35–$52 AUD
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Grassroots comedy short film festival from Fremantle that launches each year and then tours venues around Australia. Comedy and dark comedy shorts up to 40 minutes.
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.
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.
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.
Collingwood, Melbourne, VIC · Eclipse Cinema Next: 1 May 2027 (in 6 months)
Open for entries · closes 31 Mar 2027
Festival
1–2 May 2027
Entries
Opens Aug · Closes Mar
Fees
$16–$40 standard entries · First Nations waivers; currency unconfirmed
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Australian-made narrative, documentary, animated and experimental shorts with an offbeat emphasis. Films must be strictly under 30 minutes. Premiere status is preferred but not required, and First Nations filmmakers can request a fee waiver.
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.
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.
Accepts shorts, documentaries, animation and music videos from Australia-based filmmakers aged 15–24, including students and non-students of any nationality. Entries must have been completed within two years of the deadline; previously published films are accepted.
International surf and ocean features, documentaries, shorts, animation and experimental films. Strong preference is given to premieres. Selected films must meet Australian screening exclusivity and online-availability restrictions.
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.
Brisbane, QLD · PIP Theatre Next: 6 Aug 2027 (in 9 months)
Open for entries · closes 31 May 2027
Festival
August
Entries
Opens Aug · Closes late May
Fees
~$10–$30 AUD
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Independent short film festival held at PIP Theatre in Milton, Brisbane, dedicated to unique, heartfelt short films up to 20 minutes. Accepts drama, comedy, horror, queer, animation, student, music video, and documentary works. No premiere requirements.
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.
Palmerston, Canberra, ACT Next: 14 Aug 2027 (in 9 months)
Open for entries · closes 31 May 2027
Festival
14–22 Aug 2027 · Online and community screenings
Entries
Opens Aug · Closes May
Fees
$10–$60 across categories · Student rates and requested waivers; currency unconfirmed
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Science-themed features, shorts, documentaries, animation, experimental films and television series. Films are considered for jury awards and a separate online/community screening program during National Science Week. Student fee waivers can be requested; awards are trophies rather than cash.
Sydney, NSW · Event Cinemas George Street Next: Sep 2027 (in 10 months)
Submission dates TBC
Festival
September
Entries
Opening TBC · Closes July
Fees
$36–$45 USD · Previous-cycle rates
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Short films with at least three female key creatives. Fiction must pass the Bechdel Test, with discretion for documentaries and other forms that cannot technically meet it. Films must not have been broadcast on Australian television or widely distributed online before the festival.
Regional Queensland festival celebrating heartwarming, inspiring, and uplifting short films from Australia and worldwide. Features fiction, documentary, animation, and student works. Max 30 minutes.
Rockingham, WA · ACE HOYTS Rockingham Next: Sep 2027 (in 10 months)
Entries open Mar 2027
Festival
Sept / Oct
Entries
Opens Mar · Closes July
Fees
Next fee schedule not confirmed
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Short films and documentaries filmed or animated in Western Australia. The longest category requires films under 13 minutes; some categories have shorter limits. Main category winners receive cash prizes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Short films across fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, environmental, First Nations, music video and student categories. Screenings take place in Maryborough and Hervey Bay. Only films made in the Fraser Coast region qualify for the local category.
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.
Sunshine Coast, QLD Next: 2 Oct 2027 (in 11 months)
Entries open Feb 2027
Festival
2 Oct 2027
Entries
Opens late Feb · Closes June
Fees
$15 early bird · $20 regular; currency unconfirmed
Submit via
FilmFreeway
International high-school student festival for ages 12–18, accepting scripted films, documentaries, animation, experimental work and music videos. All major production roles must be held by current students. Cash prizes are offered and generative AI content is ineligible.
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.
Sydney, NSW · Event Cinemas George St Next: 15 Oct 2027 (in 11 months)
Open for entries · closes 27 Aug 2027
Festival
October
Entries
Opens mid-Oct · Closes late Aug
Fees
Shorts $20–$40 AUD · Features $40–$65 AUD
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Australia's premier dedicated science-fiction, fantasy, and speculative cinema festival. Showcases local and international speculative features, shorts, animations, and student works.
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.
Southport, Gold Coast, QLD · Dendy Cinemas Southport Next: 31 Oct 2027 (in 11 months)
Entries open Apr 2027
Festival
31 Oct 2027
Entries
Opens Apr · Closes Aug
Fees
Shorts $25–$30 · Features $50–$100 · Other categories vary; currency unconfirmed
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Horror features, shorts, documentaries, animation, music videos and television pilots. No premiere requirement; recent work is prioritised. Student entries have a separate category and discretionary fee waivers are available.
