{
  "today": "2026-11-09",
  "total": 71,
  "matched": 14,
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        "free"
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  "festivals": [
    {
      "id": "focus-on-ability-short-film-festival",
      "name": "Focus on Ability Short Film Festival",
      "shortName": "FOA",
      "location": "Chatswood, Sydney, NSW",
      "venue": "The Concourse",
      "summary": "International short film festival organised by NOVA Employment celebrating the achievements and abilities of people with disability. Free to enter for films up to 5 minutes across school, open, and international short film and documentary categories, competing for substantial cash and mentoring prizes alongside online public voting.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://focusonability.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://focusonability.com.au/entry",
      "imageUrl": "https://focusonability.com.au/images/og-cover.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://focusonability.com.au/entry",
        "https://focusonability.com.au/terms",
        "https://focusonability.com.au/about",
        "https://focusonability.com.au/prizes"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "October / November",
        "startMonth": 10,
        "endMonth": 11,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Feb · Closes Jul",
        "openMonth": 2,
        "closeMonth": 7,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "Direct portal (festival website)",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Free entry",
        "min": 0,
        "max": 0,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 5,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
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        "state": [
          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "disability",
          "youth",
          "uplifting"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "free"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "direct"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T12:34:33Z",
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      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-07-31",
        "closeExact": false,
        "opensOn": "2027-02-01",
        "daysToClose": 264,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/focus-on-ability-short-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "melbourne-queer-film-festival",
      "name": "Melbourne Queer Film Festival",
      "shortName": "MQFF",
      "location": "Melbourne, VIC",
      "venue": "ACMI & Village Jam Factory",
      "summary": "Australia's oldest and largest LGBTQIA+ film festival, screening more than 140 features, shorts and documentaries across Melbourne. Entry is free for Australian filmmakers.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://mqff.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://mqff.com.au/film-submissions/",
      "imageUrl": "https://mqff.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MQFF26-Abstract-4K-ProRes-005-scaled.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://mqff.com.au/film-submissions/",
        "https://filmfreeway.com/MelbourneQueerFilmFestival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "November",
        "startMonth": 11,
        "endMonth": 11,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens May · Closes early Aug",
        "openMonth": 5,
        "closeMonth": 8,
        "closeDay": 3,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Free for Australian entrants (waiver code by email); fees apply to international entries",
        "min": 0,
        "max": null,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
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        "state": [
          "vic"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "lgbtqia"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "free",
          "waivers"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "now",
        "exact": false,
        "startDate": "2026-11-01",
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        "daysAway": 0,
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      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-08-03",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-05-01",
        "daysToClose": 267,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/melbourne-queer-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "multicultural-film-festival",
      "name": "Multicultural Film Festival",
      "shortName": "MFF",
      "location": "Melbourne, VIC",
      "venue": null,
      "summary": "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.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/multicultural-film-festival",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/MulticulturalFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/MulticulturalFilmFestival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "festival": {
        "text": "June premiere · Tour to Nov · Online season from Nov",
        "startMonth": 6,
        "endMonth": 11,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Current entries closed · Next window TBC",
        "openMonth": null,
        "closeMonth": null,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Free",
        "min": 0,
        "max": 0,
        "currency": null
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 10,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "vic"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "music-video"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "multicultural"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "free"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-09T01:06:57Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "now",
        "exact": false,
        "startDate": "2026-06-01",
        "endDate": null,
        "monthsAway": 0,
        "daysAway": 0,
        "sortDate": "2026-11-09"
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      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "unknown",
        "closesOn": null,
        "closeExact": false,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": null,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/multicultural-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "smartfone-flick-fest",
      "name": "SmartFone Flick Fest",
      "shortName": "SF3",
      "location": "Sydney, NSW",
      "venue": "Sydney Opera House",
      "summary": "Australia's international smartphone film festival dedicated to films shot entirely on mobile phones and tablets. Features competitions for Gala Shorts (under 20 mins), Feature Films, SF3 Kids, and SF3 Mini.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://sf3.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/SF3",
      "imageUrl": "https://sf3.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/SF3-Gala.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/SF3",
        "https://sf3.com.au/submit/rules/"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "October / November",
        "startMonth": 10,
        "endMonth": 11,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Nov · Closes early Sep",
        "openMonth": 11,
        "closeMonth": 9,
        "closeDay": 1,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "SF3 Kids Free · Shorts $25–$40 AUD · Features $40–$60 AUD",
        "min": 0,
        "max": 60,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "youth",
          "mobile"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "free",
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway",
          "direct"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:44Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "now",
        "exact": false,
        "startDate": "2026-10-01",
        "endDate": null,
        "monthsAway": 0,
        "daysAway": 0,
        "sortDate": "2026-11-09"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-09-01",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 296,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/smartfone-flick-fest"
    },
    {
      "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",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/UnderstoryFilmFestival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "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,
        "currency": null
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 8,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "qld"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "music-video"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "regional",
          "local"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "free"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-09T01:06:57Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2026-11-21",
        "endDate": "2026-11-21",
        "monthsAway": 0,
        "daysAway": 12,
        "sortDate": "2026-11-21"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-10-31",
        "closeExact": false,
        "opensOn": "2027-06-01",
        "daysToClose": 356,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/understory-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "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
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "vic"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "youth"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "free"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "direct"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-09T01:06:57Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2026-12-04",
        "endDate": "2026-12-04",
        "monthsAway": 1,
        "daysAway": 25,
        "sortDate": "2026-12-04"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-10-31",
        "closeExact": false,
        "opensOn": "2027-08-01",
        "daysToClose": 356,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/trop-jr"
    },
    {
      "id": "birrarangga-film-festival",
      "name": "Birrarangga Film Festival",
      "shortName": "BFF",
      "location": "Melbourne, VIC",
      "venue": "RMIT - The Capitol",
      "summary": "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.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.birrarangga.world/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/BirraranggaFilmFestival-1",
      "imageUrl": "https://www.birrarangga.world/media/site/9c380c6ce7-1738637361/banner-1-1408x-1200x630-crop.png",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/BirraranggaFilmFestival-1",
        "https://www.birrarangga.world/"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "Feb / Mar",
        "startMonth": 2,
        "endMonth": 3,
        "startDate": "2027-02-25",
        "endDate": "2027-03-06"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Jul · Closes late Oct",
        "openMonth": 7,
        "closeMonth": 10,
        "closeDay": 29,
        "deadline": "2026-10-29"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Free to $10 AUD (Shorts) · $10–$25 AUD (Features)",
        "min": 0,
        "max": 25,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "vic"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "xr"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent",
          "first-nations"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "free"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T12:34:33Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-02-25",
        "endDate": "2027-03-06",
        "monthsAway": 3,
        "daysAway": 108,
        "sortDate": "2027-02-25"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-10-29",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-07-01",
        "daysToClose": 354,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/birrarangga-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "gippsland-international-film-festival",
      "name": "Gippsland International Film Festival",
      "shortName": "GIFF",
      "location": "Warragul / Gippsland, VIC",
      "venue": "West Gippsland Arts Centre, Peninsula Cinemas Warragul and regional halls",
      "summary": "International and Australian shorts, including regional and Gippsland categories, with features considered by arrangement. Previously screened and publicly available films can be considered without a premiere requirement. Student rates and a free local youth category are available.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://gippslandinternationalfilmfestival.com/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/GippslandInternationalFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/GippslandInternationalFilmFestival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "festival": {
        "text": "12–19 Mar 2027",
        "startMonth": 3,
        "endMonth": 3,
        "startDate": "2027-03-12",
        "endDate": "2027-03-19"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Mar · Closes Jan",
        "openMonth": 3,
        "closeMonth": 1,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": "2027-01-13"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Paid categories vary · GIFF x Spark youth category free; paid-fee currency unconfirmed",
        "min": null,
        "max": null,
        "currency": null
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "vic"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "regional",
          "local"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "free",
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-09T01:06:57Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-03-12",
        "endDate": "2027-03-19",
        "monthsAway": 4,
        "daysAway": 123,
        "sortDate": "2027-03-12"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-01-13",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 65,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/gippsland-international-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "screenwave-nextwave-youth-film-fest",
      "name": "Screenwave / Nextwave Youth Film Fest",
      "shortName": "SWIFF / Nextwave",
      "location": "Coffs Harbour, NSW",
      "venue": "CHEC Theatre",
      "summary": "Presented by SWIFF (Screenwave International Film Festival), Nextwave is Australia's largest regional youth short film festival open to filmmakers aged 10-25 with films up to 5 minutes.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://swiff.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/NextwaveYouthFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://swiff.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Nextwave-Header-NYFA-at-CHEC.png",
      "sources": [
        "https://swiff.com.au/nextwave/",
        "https://filmfreeway.com/NextwaveYouthFilmFestival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "April",
        "startMonth": 4,
        "endMonth": 4,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens mid-year · Closes late Oct",
        "openMonth": 6,
        "closeMonth": 10,
        "closeDay": 25,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Free entry for Australian youth (ages 10–25)",
        "min": 0,
        "max": 0,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 5,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "regional",
          "youth"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "free"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway",
          "direct"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:44Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": false,
        "startDate": "2027-04-01",
        "endDate": null,
        "monthsAway": 5,
        "daysAway": 143,
        "sortDate": "2027-04-01"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-10-25",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-06-01",
        "daysToClose": 350,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/screenwave-nextwave-youth-film-fest"
    },
    {
      "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": 206,
        "sortDate": "2027-06-03"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-01-15",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 67,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/st-kilda-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "australia-youth-film-festival",
      "name": "Australia Youth Film Festival",
      "shortName": "AUYFF",
      "location": "Sydney, NSW",
      "venue": null,
      "summary": "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.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://auyff.com/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/auyffest",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/auyffest",
        "https://auyff.com/guideandrules"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "festival": {
        "text": "30–31 July 2027",
        "startMonth": 7,
        "endMonth": 7,
        "startDate": "2027-07-30",
        "endDate": "2027-07-31"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens July · Closes May",
        "openMonth": 7,
        "closeMonth": 5,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": "2027-05-31"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Free",
        "min": 0,
        "max": 0,
        "currency": null
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "music-video"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "youth"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "free"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-09T01:06:57Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-07-30",
        "endDate": "2027-07-31",
        "monthsAway": 8,
        "daysAway": 263,
        "sortDate": "2027-07-30"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-05-31",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 203,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/australia-youth-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "space-faring-civilisation-film-festival",
      "name": "Space Faring Civilisation Film Festival",
      "shortName": "SFC",
      "location": "Canberra, ACT",
      "venue": "Tuggeranong Arts Centre",
      "summary": "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.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://sfcfilms.com/film-festival/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/SFCFestival",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/SFCFestival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "festival": {
        "text": "13–14 Aug 2027",
        "startMonth": 8,
        "endMonth": 8,
        "startDate": "2027-08-13",
        "endDate": "2027-08-14"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Sept · Closes early June",
        "openMonth": 9,
        "closeMonth": 6,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": "2027-06-01"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Shorts $15–$50 · Features $50–$90 · Student rates and free workshop category; currency unconfirmed",
        "min": null,
        "max": null,
        "currency": null
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "act"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "genre",
          "science",
          "uplifting"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "required",
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "free",
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-09T01:06:57Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-08-13",
        "endDate": "2027-08-14",
        "monthsAway": 9,
        "daysAway": 277,
        "sortDate": "2027-08-13"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-06-01",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 204,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/space-faring-civilisation-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "very-short-film-festival",
      "name": "Very Short Film Festival",
      "shortName": "VSFF",
      "location": "Hobart, TAS",
      "venue": "State Cinema",
      "summary": "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.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://veryshortfilmfestival.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/VeryShortFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://veryshortfilmfestival.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/VSFF_26_FB_Event_1920x1005-scaled.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/VeryShortFilmFestival",
        "https://veryshortfilmfestival.com.au/about/",
        "https://veryshortfilmfestival.com.au/vsff-entry-form/"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "September",
        "startMonth": 9,
        "endMonth": 9,
        "startDate": "2027-09-03",
        "endDate": "2027-09-05"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Feb · Closes early May",
        "openMonth": 2,
        "closeMonth": 5,
        "closeDay": 7,
        "deadline": "2027-05-07"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Free entry",
        "min": 0,
        "max": 0,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 5,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "tas"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent",
          "regional",
          "youth"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "required"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "free"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway",
          "direct"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T12:34:33Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-09-03",
        "endDate": "2027-09-05",
        "monthsAway": 10,
        "daysAway": 298,
        "sortDate": "2027-09-03"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-05-07",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-02-01",
        "daysToClose": 179,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/very-short-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "adelaide-independent-film-festival",
      "name": "Adelaide Independent Film Festival",
      "shortName": "AIFF",
      "location": "Adelaide, SA",
      "venue": "Capri Theatre and Mercury Cinema",
      "summary": "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.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://auteursforum.com/aiff/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/AdelaideIndependentFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/AdelaideIndependentFilmFestival",
        "https://auteursforum.com/aiff/latestnews/submissions-for-aiff26-are-now-open"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "festival": {
        "text": "October",
        "startMonth": 10,
        "endMonth": 10,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Jan · Closes June",
        "openMonth": 1,
        "closeMonth": 6,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Paid categories vary · Middle Eastern short-film category free",
        "min": null,
        "max": null,
        "currency": null
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 30,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "sa"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "screenplay"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent",
          "first-nations",
          "local",
          "youth"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "free"
        ],
        "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": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-06-30",
        "closeExact": false,
        "opensOn": "2027-01-01",
        "daysToClose": 233,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/adelaide-independent-film-festival"
    }
  ]
}