{
  "today": "2026-11-09",
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  "festivals": [
    {
      "id": "bauhaus-bendigo-short-film-festival",
      "name": "Bauhaus Bendigo Short Film Festival",
      "shortName": null,
      "location": "Bendigo, VIC",
      "venue": "La Trobe Art Institute and Hargreaves Mall Civic Screen",
      "summary": "International shorts exploring Bauhaus design, architecture and experimental film, with a Greater Bendigo residents' category. Selected films screen at a launch event and on the outdoor civic screen. Films must be suitable for a general audience.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/BauhausBendigoShortFilmFestival",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/BauhausBendigoShortFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/BauhausBendigoShortFilmFestival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "festival": {
        "text": "8–15 Nov 2026",
        "startMonth": 11,
        "endMonth": 11,
        "startDate": "2026-11-08",
        "endDate": "2026-11-15"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Apr · Closing dates conflict between Sept and Oct",
        "openMonth": 4,
        "closeMonth": 10,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "$10–$50 across student and standard categories; currency unconfirmed",
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        "max": null,
        "currency": null
      },
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      "tags": {
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          "vic"
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        "format": [
          "short",
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          "animation"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "experimental",
          "local"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
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        ]
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        "opensOn": "2027-04-01",
        "daysToClose": 356,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/bauhaus-bendigo-short-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "central-coast-film-festival",
      "name": "Central Coast Film Festival",
      "shortName": "CCFF",
      "location": "Ettalong Beach, NSW",
      "venue": "Cinema Paradiso",
      "summary": "Australian and international features, mid-length films and shorts, with documentary, animation, music video and experimental categories. Dedicated categories recognise Central Coast productions, students, under-18 filmmakers and First Nations work.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.centralcoastfilmfestival.com/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/CentralCoastFilmFest",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/CentralCoastFilmFest"
      ],
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      "festival": {
        "text": "14–21 Nov 2026",
        "startMonth": 11,
        "endMonth": 11,
        "startDate": "2026-11-14",
        "endDate": "2026-11-21"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Mar · Closes early Sept",
        "openMonth": 3,
        "closeMonth": 9,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": "2026-09-01"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "$10–$115 AUD across categories · Student and local rates available",
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        "max": 115,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
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          "specialised"
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          "nsw"
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        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "music-video"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "experimental",
          "first-nations",
          "local",
          "youth"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-09T01:06:57Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2026-11-14",
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      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-09-30",
        "closeExact": false,
        "opensOn": "2027-03-01",
        "daysToClose": 325,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/central-coast-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "newcastle-international-short-film-festival",
      "name": "Newcastle International Short Film Festival",
      "shortName": "NiSFF",
      "location": "Newcastle, NSW",
      "venue": "The Royal Exchange Hybrid Performance Space & Cinema",
      "summary": "Short film festival held at The Royal Exchange in Newcastle celebrating Australian, regional NSW, and international short films up to 20 minutes across drama, comedy, horror, sci-fi, documentary, animation, and phone films. Newcastle premiere status strictly required.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://nishortfilmfest.wordpress.com/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/NewcastleInternationalShortFilmFestival-1",
      "imageUrl": "https://nishortfilmfest.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/cropped-nissf-graphic-idea-3.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/NewcastleInternationalShortFilmFestival-1",
        "https://festhome.com/en/festival/newcastle-international-short-film-festival",
        "https://nishortfilmfest.wordpress.com/"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "November",
        "startMonth": 11,
        "endMonth": 11,
        "startDate": "2026-11-20",
        "endDate": "2026-11-21"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Dec · Closes early Nov",
        "openMonth": 12,
        "closeMonth": 11,
        "closeDay": 10,
        "deadline": "2026-11-10"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "~$7–$24 AUD ($6–$22 student)",
        "min": 6,
        "max": 24,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 20,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "genre",
          "experimental",
          "independent",
          "regional",
          "mobile"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "required"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway",
          "festhome"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T12:34:33Z",
      "next": {
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        "startDate": "2026-11-20",
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        "daysAway": 11,
        "sortDate": "2026-11-20"
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      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
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        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 1,
        "closingSoon": true
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/newcastle-international-short-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "melbourne-underground-film-festival",
      "name": "Melbourne Underground Film Festival",
      "shortName": "MUFF",
      "location": "Melbourne, VIC",
      "venue": null,
      "summary": "Long-running independent festival showcasing cutting-edge, cult, experimental, transgressive, and alternative Australian and international cinema across feature, short, and documentary formats. Submissions via FilmFreeway with no premiere requirement; selected films are bound by an irrevocable screening agreement.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.muff.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/MUFF",
      "imageUrl": "https://muff.com.au/assets/images/misc/call-for-entries-600.png",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/MUFF",
        "https://www.muff.com.au/home.html"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "November",
        "startMonth": 11,
        "endMonth": 11,
        "startDate": "2026-11-26",
        "endDate": "2026-11-29"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Dec · Closes late Oct",
        "openMonth": 12,
        "closeMonth": 10,
        "closeDay": 28,
        "deadline": "2026-10-28"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "~$35–$55 AUD",
        "min": 35,
        "max": 55,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
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          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "vic"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "genre",
          "horror",
          "experimental",
          "independent"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T12:34:33Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2026-11-26",
        "endDate": "2026-11-29",
        "monthsAway": 0,
        "daysAway": 17,
        "sortDate": "2026-11-26"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-10-28",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2026-12-01",
        "daysToClose": 353,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/melbourne-underground-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "capricorn-film-festival",
      "name": "Capricorn Film Festival",
      "shortName": "CFF",
      "location": "Yeppoon, QLD",
      "venue": "Yeppoon Town Hall",
      "summary": "Central Queensland festival screening features, documentaries, shorts (under 30 min), and experimental video art. Offers over $4,000 AUD in cash prizes across world-open and dedicated Central Queensland (CQ) categories. No premiere required for short films.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.capricornfilmfestival.org/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/CapricornFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c54bb2_c6f5c547e4d841229ad47741547bb460~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_2500,h_1666,al_c/c54bb2_c6f5c547e4d841229ad47741547bb460~mv2.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/CapricornFilmFestival",
        "https://www.capricornfilmfestival.org/",
        "https://www.capricornfilmfestival.org/whatson",
        "https://festhome.com/en/festival/capricorn-film-festival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "January",
        "startMonth": 1,
        "endMonth": 1,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Feb · Closes early Nov",
        "openMonth": 2,
        "closeMonth": 11,
        "closeDay": 1,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Shorts $10–$30 AUD · Features $50–$65 AUD",
        "min": 10,
        "max": 65,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "qld"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "music-video"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "experimental",
          "independent",
          "regional"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway",
          "festhome"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T12:34:33Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": false,
        "startDate": "2027-01-01",
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        "monthsAway": 2,
        "daysAway": 53,
        "sortDate": "2027-01-01"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
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        "closesOn": "2027-11-01",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-02-01",
        "daysToClose": 357,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/capricorn-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": [
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        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-09T01:06:57Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
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        "startDate": "2027-05-01",
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        "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": "revelation-perth-international-film-festival",
      "name": "Revelation Perth International Film Festival",
      "shortName": "Rev",
      "location": "Perth, WA",
      "venue": "Luna Cinemas Leederville",
      "summary": "Western Australia's champion of independent, underground, documentary, and experimental screen culture. Western Australian premieres required for all feature-length projects.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.revelationfilmfest.org/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/RevelationFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://www.revelationfilmfest.org/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fa.storyblok.com%2Ff%2F339690%2F1200x628%2F3b46539b37%2Fcity_of_vincent_submissions_open_landscape_v5.jpg&w=3840&q=75",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/RevelationFilmFestival",
        "https://www.revelationfilmfest.org/"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "July",
        "startMonth": 7,
        "endMonth": 7,
        "startDate": "2027-07-07",
        "endDate": "2027-07-18"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens late Aug · Closes late Feb",
        "openMonth": 8,
        "closeMonth": 2,
        "closeDay": 28,
        "deadline": "2027-02-28"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "$40–$60 AUD flat fee across categories",
        "min": 40,
        "max": 60,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
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        ],
        "state": [
          "wa"
        ],
        "format": [
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          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "xr"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "genre",
          "experimental",
          "independent",
          "local"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "required"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-07-07",
        "endDate": "2027-07-18",
        "monthsAway": 8,
        "daysAway": 240,
        "sortDate": "2027-07-07"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-02-28",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 111,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/revelation-perth-international-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "sydney-underground-film-festival",
      "name": "Sydney Underground Film Festival",
      "shortName": "SUFF",
      "location": "Marrickville, Sydney, NSW",
      "venue": "The Factory Theatre",
      "summary": "Dedicated to provocative, independent, counter-culture, and boundary-pushing cinema. Staged at The Factory Theatre in Marrickville across features, shorts, documentaries, and animation.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.suff.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/SydneyUndergroundFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://static.wixstatic.com/media/67dfac_b856f8d0f95e414a8fe5212e391940e6%7Emv2.png/v1/fit/w_2500,h_1330,al_c/67dfac_b856f8d0f95e414a8fe5212e391940e6%7Emv2.png",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/SydneyUndergroundFilmFestival",
        "https://www.suff.com.au/"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "September",
        "startMonth": 9,
        "endMonth": 9,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Feb · Closes mid-Jul",
        "openMonth": 2,
        "closeMonth": 7,
        "closeDay": 15,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Shorts $30–$55 AUD · Features $45–$75 AUD",
        "min": 30,
        "max": 75,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "genre",
          "experimental",
          "independent"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "preferred"
        ],
        "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": "2027-07-15",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-02-01",
        "daysToClose": 248,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/sydney-underground-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "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"
    }
  ]
}