{
  "today": "2026-11-09",
  "total": 71,
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    },
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    {
      "id": "understory-film-festival",
      "name": "Understory Film Festival",
      "shortName": null,
      "location": "Cairns, QLD",
      "venue": "Tank 5, Tanks Arts Centre",
      "summary": "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.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/facilities-sport-leisure/arts-and-culture/festivals-events/understory-film-festival/understory-film-festival-2026",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/UnderstoryFilmFestival",
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      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/UnderstoryFilmFestival"
      ],
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      "festival": {
        "text": "21 Nov 2026",
        "startMonth": 11,
        "endMonth": 11,
        "startDate": "2026-11-21",
        "endDate": "2026-11-21"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens June · Closes Oct",
        "openMonth": 6,
        "closeMonth": 10,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": "2026-10-12"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Free",
        "min": 0,
        "max": 0,
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      },
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          "animation",
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        ],
        "focus": [
          "regional",
          "local"
        ],
        "recognition": [
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        ],
        "cost": [
          "free"
        ],
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      },
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    },
    {
      "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",
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        "https://www.ausindefest.com/"
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      "festival": {
        "text": "February",
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        "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"
      },
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      "tags": {
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          "animation",
          "screenplay"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent"
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        "premiere": [
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        "daysToClose": 313,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/australia-independent-film-festival"
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    {
      "id": "west-end-film-festival",
      "name": "West End Film Festival",
      "shortName": "WEFF",
      "location": "West End, Brisbane, QLD",
      "venue": "SAE Brisbane",
      "summary": "Australian short films across genres, including documentary and experimental work. Films must be strictly under 20 minutes and either South-East Queensland-made or Australian productions. Older films can screen, although award eligibility has a more recent completion requirement.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.weff.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/WestEndFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/WestEndFilmFestival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "festival": {
        "text": "June",
        "startMonth": 6,
        "endMonth": 6,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Feb · Closes May",
        "openMonth": 2,
        "closeMonth": 5,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Fee schedule not confirmed",
        "min": null,
        "max": null,
        "currency": null
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 20,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "qld"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent",
          "local"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
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      "next": {
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        "startDate": "2027-06-01",
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        "closeExact": false,
        "opensOn": "2027-02-01",
        "daysToClose": 203,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/west-end-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "sparrowland-short-film-festival",
      "name": "Sparrowland Short Film Festival",
      "shortName": "SLSFF",
      "location": "Brisbane, QLD",
      "venue": "PIP Theatre",
      "summary": "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.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.slsff.com/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/SparrowlandShortFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://static.wixstatic.com/media/06aa90_b54630527b7e44f29df7de11f87bf705~mv2.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/SparrowlandShortFilmFestival",
        "https://www.slsff.com/"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "August",
        "startMonth": 8,
        "endMonth": 8,
        "startDate": "2027-08-06",
        "endDate": "2027-08-07"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Aug · Closes late May",
        "openMonth": 8,
        "closeMonth": 5,
        "closeDay": 31,
        "deadline": "2027-05-31"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "~$10–$30 AUD",
        "min": 10,
        "max": 30,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 20,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "qld"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "series",
          "music-video"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "horror",
          "independent",
          "lgbtqia",
          "youth"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T12:34:33Z",
      "next": {
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        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-08-06",
        "endDate": "2027-08-07",
        "monthsAway": 9,
        "daysAway": 270,
        "sortDate": "2027-08-06"
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      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
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        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 203,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/sparrowland-short-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": [
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        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": false,
        "startDate": "2027-09-01",
        "endDate": null,
        "monthsAway": 10,
        "daysAway": 296,
        "sortDate": "2027-09-01"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-06-30",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-03-01",
        "daysToClose": 233,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/heart-of-gold-international-short-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "underdog-film-fest",
      "name": "Underdog Film Fest",
      "shortName": "UDFF",
      "location": "Kingston, Logan, QLD",
      "venue": "Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct",
      "summary": "Independent short-film festival in Logan, welcoming diverse filmmakers including First Nations and LGBTQIA+ creators. Australian-made films compete; international shorts may enter an out-of-competition category using a requested waiver. Selected films require hardcoded English subtitles.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.underdogfilmfest.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/UnderdogFilmFest",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/UnderdogFilmFest"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "festival": {
        "text": "September",
        "startMonth": 9,
        "endMonth": 9,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Mar · Closes June",
        "openMonth": 3,
        "closeMonth": 6,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Early entry $7.50 student / $12.50 general · Later rates unconfirmed",
        "min": null,
        "max": null,
        "currency": null
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "qld"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent",
          "lgbtqia",
          "first-nations",
          "local"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "waivers",
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-09T01:06:57Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": false,
        "startDate": "2027-09-01",
        "endDate": null,
        "monthsAway": 10,
        "daysAway": 296,
        "sortDate": "2027-09-01"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
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        "closeExact": false,
        "opensOn": "2027-03-01",
        "daysToClose": 233,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/underdog-film-fest"
    },
    {
      "id": "fraser-shorts-film-festival",
      "name": "Fraser Shorts Film Festival",
      "shortName": null,
      "location": "Maryborough / Hervey Bay, QLD",
      "venue": "Brolga Theatre and Big Screen Cinema",
      "summary": "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.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.frasershorts.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/Frasershorts",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://www.frasershorts.com.au/enter-awards/",
        "https://filmfreeway.com/Frasershorts"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "festival": {
        "text": "October",
        "startMonth": 10,
        "endMonth": 10,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Oct · Closes Sept",
        "openMonth": 10,
        "closeMonth": 9,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "$30 flat fee · Previous-cycle rate; currency unconfirmed",
        "min": null,
        "max": null,
        "currency": null
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 45,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "qld"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "music-video"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "experimental",
          "first-nations",
          "regional",
          "local",
          "youth",
          "environment"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-09T01:06:57Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": false,
        "startDate": "2027-10-01",
        "endDate": null,
        "monthsAway": 11,
        "daysAway": 326,
        "sortDate": "2027-10-01"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-09-30",
        "closeExact": false,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 325,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/fraser-shorts-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",
        "exact": false,
        "startDate": "2027-10-01",
        "endDate": null,
        "monthsAway": 11,
        "daysAway": 326,
        "sortDate": "2027-10-01"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-09-01",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-04-01",
        "daysToClose": 296,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/port-shorts-film-festival"
    }
  ]
}