{
  "today": "2026-11-09",
  "total": 71,
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    "q": "",
    "facets": {
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    },
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  },
  "festivals": [
    {
      "id": "trop-jr",
      "name": "Trop Jr",
      "shortName": null,
      "location": "Melbourne, VIC",
      "venue": "The Astor",
      "summary": "Australian short film festival for filmmakers aged 15 and under. The 2026 signature item is MAP, and the Melbourne grand final is invitation only.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.tropfest.com/tropjr",
      "submissionUrl": "https://www.tropfest.com/tropjr",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://www.tropfest.com/tropjr"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "festival": {
        "text": "4 Dec 2026",
        "startMonth": 12,
        "endMonth": 12,
        "startDate": "2026-12-04",
        "endDate": "2026-12-04"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Aug · Closes Oct",
        "openMonth": 8,
        "closeMonth": 10,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": "2026-10-23"
      },
      "platform": "Direct portal (festival website)",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Free",
        "min": 0,
        "max": 0,
        "currency": null
      },
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      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
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        "focus": [
          "youth"
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          "direct"
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        "opensOn": "2027-08-01",
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      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/trop-jr"
    },
    {
      "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": {
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        "state": [
          "vic"
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        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation"
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        "focus": [
          "independent",
          "regional",
          "youth"
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        "recognition": [
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          "none"
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      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
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      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/peninsula-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "funny-shorts",
      "name": "Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Funny Shorts",
      "shortName": null,
      "location": "Melbourne, VIC",
      "venue": "ACMI",
      "summary": "Comedy shorts strictly under 10 minutes, including credits, screening at ACMI. Entry conditions require filmmakers to be over 18 and Australian citizens or permanent residents. Previously premiered films may enter, subject to a public-availability blackout through 18 April 2027; winner and audience prizes are offered.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/funny-shorts/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/FunnyShorts",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/funny-shorts/faqs/",
        "https://filmfreeway.com/FunnyShorts",
        "https://micf-prod-cdn-d0bad2fug8bge2c4.a01.azurefd.net/media/xh4np0xw/2027_funny-shorts_conditions-of-entry.pdf"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "festival": {
        "text": "April 2027 · Screening dates TBC",
        "startMonth": 4,
        "endMonth": 4,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Nov · Closes early Feb",
        "openMonth": 11,
        "closeMonth": 2,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": "2027-02-05"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "$15 AUD in FAQ · Payment currency conflicts with entry conditions",
        "min": null,
        "max": null,
        "currency": null
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 10,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
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        "state": [
          "vic"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short"
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        "focus": [
          "comedy"
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          "cash-prize"
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        "premiere": [
          "none"
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      "updatedAt": "2026-11-09T01:06:57Z",
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        "startDate": "2027-04-01",
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        "daysAway": 143,
        "sortDate": "2027-04-01"
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        "daysToClose": 88,
        "closingSoon": false
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    {
      "id": "melbourne-nocturnal-film-festival",
      "name": "Melbourne Nocturnal Film Festival",
      "shortName": "MNFF",
      "location": "Collingwood, Melbourne, VIC",
      "venue": "Eclipse Cinema",
      "summary": "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.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.mnff.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/melbournenocturnalfilmfestival",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/melbournenocturnalfilmfestival",
        "https://www.mnff.com.au/faqs"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "festival": {
        "text": "1–2 May 2027",
        "startMonth": 5,
        "endMonth": 5,
        "startDate": "2027-05-01",
        "endDate": "2027-05-02"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Aug · Closes Mar",
        "openMonth": 8,
        "closeMonth": 3,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": "2027-03-31"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "$16–$40 standard entries · First Nations waivers; currency unconfirmed",
        "min": null,
        "max": null,
        "currency": null
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 30,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "vic"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "experimental",
          "local"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "preferred"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "waivers"
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        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
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      "next": {
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        "startDate": "2027-05-01",
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        "daysAway": 173,
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        "closeExact": true,
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        "closingSoon": false
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      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/melbourne-nocturnal-film-festival"
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    {
      "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"
      },
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      "tags": {
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          "music-video"
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      "submissionStatus": {
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      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/st-kilda-film-festival"
    }
  ]
}