{
  "id": "melbourne-documentary-film-festival",
  "name": "Melbourne Documentary Film Festival",
  "shortName": "MDFF",
  "location": "Melbourne, VIC",
  "venue": "Cinema Nova",
  "summary": "Dedicated Australian documentary showcase presenting local and international non-fiction features and shorts, VR/XR, and pitching competitions across cinema and streaming formats.",
  "websiteUrl": "https://mdff.org.au/",
  "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/MelbourneDocumentaryFilmFestival",
  "imageUrl": "https://mdff.org.au/images/Melbourne-reel.png",
  "sources": [
    "https://filmfreeway.com/MelbourneDocumentaryFilmFestival",
    "https://www.mdff.org.au/submission-rules",
    "https://filmmakers.festhome.com/festival/1365"
  ],
  "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
  "festival": {
    "text": "July",
    "startMonth": 7,
    "endMonth": 7,
    "startDate": null,
    "endDate": null
  },
  "submissions": {
    "text": "Opens June · Closes May",
    "openMonth": 6,
    "closeMonth": 5,
    "closeDay": null,
    "deadline": null
  },
  "platform": "FilmFreeway & Festhome",
  "fees": {
    "text": "~$10–$62 AUD depending on tier and category",
    "min": 10,
    "max": 62,
    "currency": "AUD"
  },
  "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
  "tags": {
    "category": [
      "specialised"
    ],
    "state": [
      "vic"
    ],
    "format": [
      "feature",
      "short",
      "documentary",
      "xr"
    ],
    "focus": [
      "documentary"
    ],
    "recognition": [
      "cash-prize"
    ],
    "premiere": [
      "preferred"
    ],
    "platform": [
      "filmfreeway",
      "festhome"
    ]
  },
  "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
  "next": {
    "status": "upcoming",
    "exact": false,
    "startDate": "2027-07-01",
    "endDate": null,
    "monthsAway": 8,
    "daysAway": 234,
    "sortDate": "2027-07-01"
  },
  "submissionStatus": {
    "status": "open",
    "closesOn": "2027-05-31",
    "closeExact": false,
    "opensOn": null,
    "daysToClose": 203,
    "closingSoon": false
  },
  "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/melbourne-documentary-film-festival"
}