{
  "today": "2026-11-08",
  "total": 33,
  "matched": 9,
  "offset": 0,
  "limit": 500,
  "filters": {
    "q": "",
    "facets": {
      "category": [
        "short"
      ]
    },
    "open": false,
    "month": null,
    "runtime": null,
    "sort": "upcoming"
  },
  "festivals": [
    {
      "id": "made-in-the-west-film-festival",
      "name": "Made in the West Film Festival",
      "shortName": null,
      "location": "Liverpool, NSW",
      "venue": "Event Cinemas Liverpool",
      "summary": "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.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.madeinthewest.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://www.madeinthewest.com.au/film-festival-entry-criteria",
      "imageUrl": "https://static.wixstatic.com/media/20d675_8d1a1856eb7d4892aa933f7202c78cb6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_2500,h_1330,al_c/20d675_8d1a1856eb7d4892aa933f7202c78cb6~mv2.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://www.madeinthewest.com.au/",
        "https://www.madeinthewest.com.au/faq"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "November",
        "startMonth": 11,
        "endMonth": 11,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Mar · Closes early Oct",
        "openMonth": 3,
        "closeMonth": 10,
        "closeDay": 9,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "Direct portal (festival website)",
      "fees": {
        "text": "$35–$50 AUD (early bird to late round)",
        "min": 35,
        "max": 50,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 30,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "series",
          "music-video"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "regional",
          "local"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "direct"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:44Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "now",
        "exact": false,
        "startDate": "2026-11-01",
        "endDate": null,
        "monthsAway": 0,
        "daysAway": 0,
        "sortDate": "2026-11-08"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-10-09",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-03-01",
        "daysToClose": 335,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/made-in-the-west-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "peninsula-film-festival",
      "name": "Peninsula Film Festival",
      "shortName": "PFF",
      "location": "Rosebud, VIC",
      "venue": "Rosebud Village Green",
      "summary": "Iconic outdoor short film festival on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, judged live by a panel of celebrity judges with up to $30K in cash and prizes.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.peninsulafilmfestival.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/PeninsulaFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://www.peninsulafilmfestival.com.au/uploads/6/3/6/4/63644483/5142609_orig.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://www.peninsulafilmfestival.com.au/peninsula-film-festival.html",
        "https://filmfreeway.com/PeninsulaFilmFestival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "January",
        "startMonth": 1,
        "endMonth": 1,
        "startDate": "2027-01-08",
        "endDate": "2027-01-12"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Feb · Closes early Dec",
        "openMonth": 2,
        "closeMonth": 12,
        "closeDay": 4,
        "deadline": "2026-12-04"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "$25 AUD standard ($15 Emerging Filmmaker Award)",
        "min": 15,
        "max": 25,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "vic"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent",
          "regional",
          "youth"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-01-08",
        "endDate": "2027-01-12",
        "monthsAway": 2,
        "daysAway": 61,
        "sortDate": "2027-01-08"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2026-12-04",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 26,
        "closingSoon": true
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/peninsula-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "flickerfest",
      "name": "Flickerfest",
      "shortName": "FLiCKERFEST",
      "location": "Bondi Beach, Sydney, NSW",
      "venue": "Bondi Pavilion",
      "summary": "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.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://flickerfest.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/flickerfest",
      "imageUrl": "https://flickerfest.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Screen-Australia-Flickerfest-Web-Banner-scaled.png",
      "sources": [
        "https://flickerfest.com.au/entries/",
        "https://filmfreeway.com/flickerfest"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "January",
        "startMonth": 1,
        "endMonth": 1,
        "startDate": "2027-01-22",
        "endDate": "2027-01-31"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Jun · Closes mid-Oct",
        "openMonth": 6,
        "closeMonth": 10,
        "closeDay": 14,
        "deadline": "2026-10-14"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "~$17–$60 AUD (Specsavers TVC ad competition free)",
        "min": 17,
        "max": 60,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 35,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent",
          "youth"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "academy",
          "bafta",
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "required"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-01-22",
        "endDate": "2027-01-31",
        "monthsAway": 2,
        "daysAway": 75,
        "sortDate": "2027-01-22"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-10-14",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-06-01",
        "daysToClose": 340,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/flickerfest"
    },
    {
      "id": "fleurieu-film-festival",
      "name": "Fleurieu Film Festival",
      "shortName": "FFF",
      "location": "McLaren Vale, SA",
      "venue": "McLaren Vale Visitor Centre",
      "summary": "South Australia's premier outdoor short film festival held in the McLaren Vale wine region. Screens short fiction and documentaries with cash prizes and awards across Australian and international categories. Max 15 minutes.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://fleurieufilmfestival.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/FleurieuFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://fleurieufilmfestival.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Fleurieu-Film-Festival-Logo-Rectangle-Black-2024-v1.png",
      "sources": [
        "https://fleurieufilmfestival.com.au/",
        "https://filmfreeway.com/FleurieuFilmFestival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "February",
        "startMonth": 2,
        "endMonth": 2,
        "startDate": "2027-02-06",
        "endDate": "2027-02-06"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Jun · Closes early Dec",
        "openMonth": 6,
        "closeMonth": 12,
        "closeDay": 1,
        "deadline": "2026-12-01"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "$20–$35 AUD ($28–$33 student)",
        "min": 20,
        "max": 35,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 15,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "sa"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent",
          "regional"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-02-06",
        "endDate": "2027-02-06",
        "monthsAway": 3,
        "daysAway": 90,
        "sortDate": "2027-02-06"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2026-12-01",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 23,
        "closingSoon": true
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/fleurieu-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "australia-independent-film-festival",
      "name": "Australia Independent Film Festival",
      "shortName": "AIFF",
      "location": "Brisbane, QLD",
      "venue": "Palace Cinemas James Street",
      "summary": "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.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.ausindefest.com/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/ausindefest",
      "imageUrl": "https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0501c0_70c8d93a35864429ae2975a538e1b101~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1800,h_900,al_c/0501c0_70c8d93a35864429ae2975a538e1b101~mv2.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/ausindefest",
        "https://www.ausindefest.com/"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "February",
        "startMonth": 2,
        "endMonth": 2,
        "startDate": "2027-02-12",
        "endDate": "2027-02-13"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Feb · Closes mid-Sep",
        "openMonth": 2,
        "closeMonth": 9,
        "closeDay": 18,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "~$25–$50 AUD depending on category",
        "min": 25,
        "max": 50,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "qld"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "screenplay"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-02-12",
        "endDate": "2027-02-13",
        "monthsAway": 3,
        "daysAway": 96,
        "sortDate": "2027-02-12"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-09-18",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-02-01",
        "daysToClose": 314,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/australia-independent-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "st-kilda-film-festival",
      "name": "St Kilda Film Festival",
      "shortName": "SKFF",
      "location": "St Kilda, Melbourne, VIC",
      "venue": "The Astor Theatre & Alex Theatre",
      "summary": "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.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/StKildaFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/media/gwwbtfes/2026-winner.jpg?width=1600&height=800&v=1dd03f613ecb120",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/StKildaFilmFestival",
        "https://www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/participate/submit-a-film"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "June",
        "startMonth": 6,
        "endMonth": 6,
        "startDate": "2027-06-03",
        "endDate": "2027-06-13"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Sep · Closes mid-Jan",
        "openMonth": 9,
        "closeMonth": 1,
        "closeDay": 15,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Top Shorts ~$35–$60 AUD · Free for Under the Radar (youth)",
        "min": 0,
        "max": 60,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 40,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "vic"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "music-video"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent",
          "youth"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "academy",
          "aacta",
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "required"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "free",
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-06-03",
        "endDate": "2027-06-13",
        "monthsAway": 7,
        "daysAway": 207,
        "sortDate": "2027-06-03"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-01-15",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 68,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/st-kilda-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "heart-of-gold-international-short-film-festival",
      "name": "Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival",
      "shortName": "Heart of Gold",
      "location": "Gympie, QLD",
      "venue": null,
      "summary": "Regional Queensland festival celebrating heartwarming, inspiring, and uplifting short films from Australia and worldwide. Features fiction, documentary, animation, and student works. Max 30 minutes.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.heartofgold.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/heartofgoldfilmfest",
      "imageUrl": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6215930090272b6474c73c3a/t/62564900bca70851f5e68e5c/1649821952463/HOG+Social+1.png?format=1500w",
      "sources": [
        "https://www.heartofgold.com.au/",
        "https://www.heartofgold.com.au/volunteer"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "September / October",
        "startMonth": 9,
        "endMonth": 10,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Mar · Closes mid-year",
        "openMonth": 3,
        "closeMonth": 6,
        "closeDay": 30,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "~$30–$50 AUD",
        "min": 30,
        "max": 50,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 30,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "qld"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "regional",
          "uplifting"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": false,
        "startDate": "2027-09-01",
        "endDate": null,
        "monthsAway": 10,
        "daysAway": 297,
        "sortDate": "2027-09-01"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-06-30",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-03-01",
        "daysToClose": 234,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/heart-of-gold-international-short-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "canberra-short-film-festival",
      "name": "Canberra Short Film Festival",
      "shortName": "CSFF",
      "location": "Canberra, ACT",
      "venue": "Dendy Cinemas Canberra Centre",
      "summary": "Long-running ACT short film festival screening national and international shorts up to 20 minutes across fiction, documentary, animation, music videos, and local categories.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.csff.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/CanbShrtFilmFest",
      "imageUrl": "https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bf08f5_3984df30960f4202b538330f94d84574%7Emv2.png/v1/fit/w_2500,h_1330,al_c/bf08f5_3984df30960f4202b538330f94d84574%7Emv2.png",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/CanbShrtFilmFest",
        "https://www.csff.com.au/"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "October",
        "startMonth": 10,
        "endMonth": 10,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Feb · Closes late Jun",
        "openMonth": 2,
        "closeMonth": 6,
        "closeDay": 30,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "~$25–$45 AUD",
        "min": 25,
        "max": 45,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 20,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "act"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "music-video"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent",
          "first-nations",
          "local"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": false,
        "startDate": "2027-10-01",
        "endDate": null,
        "monthsAway": 11,
        "daysAway": 327,
        "sortDate": "2027-10-01"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-06-30",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-02-01",
        "daysToClose": 234,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/canberra-short-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "port-shorts-film-festival",
      "name": "Port Shorts Film Festival",
      "shortName": null,
      "location": "Port Douglas, QLD",
      "venue": "Rex Smeal Park",
      "summary": "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.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://portshorts.com/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/PortShortsFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://portshorts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Z619953.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/PortShortsFilmFestival",
        "https://portshorts.com/about-port-shorts/"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "October",
        "startMonth": 10,
        "endMonth": 10,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Apr · Closes early Sep",
        "openMonth": 4,
        "closeMonth": 9,
        "closeDay": 1,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "~$30–$45 AUD",
        "min": 30,
        "max": 45,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "qld"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "music-video"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "regional",
          "youth"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "aacta",
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:44Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
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}