{
  "today": "2026-11-09",
  "total": 71,
  "matched": 8,
  "offset": 0,
  "limit": 500,
  "filters": {
    "q": "",
    "facets": {
      "cost": [
        "waivers"
      ]
    },
    "open": false,
    "month": null,
    "runtime": null,
    "sort": "upcoming"
  },
  "festivals": [
    {
      "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"
        ],
        "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",
        "endDate": null,
        "monthsAway": 0,
        "daysAway": 0,
        "sortDate": "2026-11-09"
      },
      "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": "melbourne-women-in-film-festival",
      "name": "Melbourne Women in Film Festival",
      "shortName": "MWFF",
      "location": "Melbourne, VIC",
      "venue": "ACMI",
      "summary": "Short films (up to 20 min including credits) and web series with a woman or gender-diverse filmmaker in a key creative role, from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and Moana Oceania. Narrative, documentary, animation, music video and experimental work; no features. Generative AI banned.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.mwff.org.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/MelbourneWomeninFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/63ab9c8d13185f66512cb1c8/t/699e0e3f78d9161ab817fe18/1771966015583/MWFF+Logo+grey.png?format=1500w",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/MelbourneWomeninFilmFestival",
        "https://www.mwff.org.au/",
        "https://www.mwff.org.au/shorts-awards-guidelines"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "March",
        "startMonth": 3,
        "endMonth": 3,
        "startDate": "2027-03-18",
        "endDate": "2027-03-21"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens May · Closes early Oct",
        "openMonth": 5,
        "closeMonth": 10,
        "closeDay": 2,
        "deadline": "2026-10-02"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "$20–$55 AUD depending on category and tier (waivers for First Nations & diverse creators)",
        "min": 20,
        "max": 55,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 20,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "vic"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "series",
          "music-video"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent",
          "women"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "waivers",
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-03-18",
        "endDate": "2027-03-21",
        "monthsAway": 4,
        "daysAway": 129,
        "sortDate": "2027-03-18"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-10-02",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-05-01",
        "daysToClose": 327,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/melbourne-women-in-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "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"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-09T01:06:57Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-05-01",
        "endDate": "2027-05-02",
        "monthsAway": 6,
        "daysAway": 173,
        "sortDate": "2027-05-01"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-03-31",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 142,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/melbourne-nocturnal-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "sydney-film-festival",
      "name": "Sydney Film Festival",
      "shortName": "SFF",
      "location": "Sydney, NSW",
      "venue": "State Theatre & Dendy Newtown",
      "summary": "Features, documentaries and shorts (under 40 min). NSW premiere strictly required for features. Home of the Academy-qualifying Dendy Awards, Sustainable Future Award, and the $20,000 Documentary Australia Award.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.sff.org.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/SydneyFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://cms.sff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DSC_3285-1-scaled.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://cms.sff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/26-10-12-SFF2027-Submissions-Open-MR.pdf",
        "https://filmfreeway.com/SydneyFilmFestival",
        "https://www.sff.org.au/info/submissions/"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "June",
        "startMonth": 6,
        "endMonth": 6,
        "startDate": "2027-06-09",
        "endDate": "2027-06-20"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Oct · Closes late Feb",
        "openMonth": 10,
        "closeMonth": 2,
        "closeDay": 26,
        "deadline": "2027-02-26"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "~$45 AUD flat fee (free for First Nations & Screenability)",
        "min": 45,
        "max": 45,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "major"
        ],
        "state": [
          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent",
          "first-nations"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "academy",
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "required"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "waivers"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-06-09",
        "endDate": "2027-06-20",
        "monthsAway": 7,
        "daysAway": 212,
        "sortDate": "2027-06-09"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-02-26",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 109,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/sydney-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "scinema-international-science-film-festival",
      "name": "SCINEMA International Science Film Festival",
      "shortName": null,
      "location": "Palmerston, Canberra, ACT",
      "venue": null,
      "summary": "Science-themed features, shorts, documentaries, animation, experimental films and television series. Films are considered for jury awards and a separate online/community screening program during National Science Week. Student fee waivers can be requested; awards are trophies rather than cash.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/SCINEMAInternationalScienceFilmFestival",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/SCINEMAInternationalScienceFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/SCINEMAInternationalScienceFilmFestival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "festival": {
        "text": "14–22 Aug 2027 · Online and community screenings",
        "startMonth": 8,
        "endMonth": 8,
        "startDate": "2027-08-14",
        "endDate": "2027-08-22"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Aug · Closes May",
        "openMonth": 8,
        "closeMonth": 5,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": "2027-05-31"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "$10–$60 across categories · Student rates and requested waivers; currency unconfirmed",
        "min": null,
        "max": null,
        "currency": null
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "act"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "series"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "science"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "waivers",
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-09T01:06:57Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-08-14",
        "endDate": "2027-08-22",
        "monthsAway": 9,
        "daysAway": 278,
        "sortDate": "2027-08-14"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-05-31",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 203,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/scinema-international-science-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": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-06-30",
        "closeExact": false,
        "opensOn": "2027-03-01",
        "daysToClose": 233,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/underdog-film-fest"
    },
    {
      "id": "afin-international-film-festival",
      "name": "AFIN International Film Festival",
      "shortName": "AFIN",
      "location": "Brisbane, QLD",
      "venue": "SunPAC & Dendy Cinemas Portside",
      "summary": "Brisbane-based international festival celebrating independent cinema across features, shorts, documentaries, animations, series, and screenplays. Features 22 award categories with crystal trophies and memberships, plus free entry for Australian First Nations filmmakers. No strict premiere required, though premieres are prioritised.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.afinfestival.com/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/AFINInternationalFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://www.afinfestival.com/og/section/home.png",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/AFINInternationalFilmFestival",
        "https://www.afinfestival.com/"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "October",
        "startMonth": 10,
        "endMonth": 10,
        "startDate": "2027-10-10",
        "endDate": "2027-10-23"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens late Oct · Closes late Jun",
        "openMonth": 10,
        "closeMonth": 6,
        "closeDay": 27,
        "deadline": "2027-06-27"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Shorts $26–$44 AUD · Features $33–$50 AUD (free for First Nations)",
        "min": 22,
        "max": 50,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "qld"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "series",
          "screenplay"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "genre",
          "horror",
          "independent",
          "first-nations"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "preferred"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "waivers",
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T12:34:33Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-10-10",
        "endDate": "2027-10-23",
        "monthsAway": 11,
        "daysAway": 335,
        "sortDate": "2027-10-10"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-06-27",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 230,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/afin-international-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "cinematic-horror-film-festival",
      "name": "Cinematic Horror Film Festival",
      "shortName": null,
      "location": "Southport, Gold Coast, QLD",
      "venue": "Dendy Cinemas Southport",
      "summary": "Horror features, shorts, documentaries, animation, music videos and television pilots. No premiere requirement; recent work is prioritised. Student entries have a separate category and discretionary fee waivers are available.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/CinematicHorrorFilmFestival",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/CinematicHorrorFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/CinematicHorrorFilmFestival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "festival": {
        "text": "31 Oct 2027",
        "startMonth": 10,
        "endMonth": 10,
        "startDate": "2027-10-31",
        "endDate": "2027-10-31"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Apr · Closes Aug",
        "openMonth": 4,
        "closeMonth": 8,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": "2027-08-31"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Shorts $25–$30 · Features $50–$100 · Other categories vary; currency unconfirmed",
        "min": null,
        "max": null,
        "currency": null
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "qld"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "series",
          "music-video"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "horror"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "waivers",
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-09T01:06:57Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-10-31",
        "endDate": "2027-10-31",
        "monthsAway": 11,
        "daysAway": 356,
        "sortDate": "2027-10-31"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-08-31",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-04-01",
        "daysToClose": 295,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/cinematic-horror-film-festival"
    }
  ]
}