{
  "today": "2026-11-09",
  "total": 71,
  "matched": 7,
  "offset": 0,
  "limit": 500,
  "filters": {
    "q": "",
    "facets": {
      "focus": [
        "horror"
      ]
    },
    "open": false,
    "month": null,
    "runtime": null,
    "sort": "upcoming"
  },
  "festivals": [
    {
      "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": {
        "category": [
          "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": "fantastic-film-festival-australia",
      "name": "Fantastic Film Festival Australia",
      "shortName": "FFFA",
      "location": "Melbourne, VIC & Sydney, NSW",
      "venue": "Lido Cinemas & Ritz Cinemas",
      "summary": "Genre festival for sci-fi, horror, fantasy and boundary-pushing cinema, screening at Lido Cinemas (Melbourne) and Ritz Cinemas (Sydney). Australian features compete for the $10,000 Fantastic Film Prize, presented with Umbrella Entertainment. VIC and NSW premieres required for features.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.fantasticfilmfestival.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/FFFA",
      "imageUrl": "https://www.fantasticfilmfestival.com.au/img/fffa/social.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/FFFA",
        "https://www.fantasticfilmfestival.com.au/",
        "https://www.fantasticfilmfestival.com.au/fantastic-film-prize-terms-conditions"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "April / May",
        "startMonth": 4,
        "endMonth": 5,
        "startDate": "2027-04-23",
        "endDate": "2027-05-16"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens late Sep · Closes late Jan",
        "openMonth": 9,
        "closeMonth": 1,
        "closeDay": 31,
        "deadline": "2027-01-31"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "$30–$60 AUD depending on tier and category",
        "min": 30,
        "max": 60,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "nsw",
          "vic"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "animation"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "genre",
          "horror"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "required"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-04-23",
        "endDate": "2027-05-16",
        "monthsAway": 5,
        "daysAway": 165,
        "sortDate": "2027-04-23"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-01-31",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 83,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/fantastic-film-festival-australia"
    },
    {
      "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": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-08-06",
        "endDate": "2027-08-07",
        "monthsAway": 9,
        "daysAway": 270,
        "sortDate": "2027-08-06"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-05-31",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 203,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/sparrowland-short-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "dark-nights-film-fest",
      "name": "Dark Nights Film Fest",
      "shortName": null,
      "location": "Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW",
      "venue": "The Reservoir Cinema",
      "summary": "Horror and dark-genre short films, webisodes, narrative music videos and unproduced screenplays. Film submissions must be under 30 minutes, retain NSW premiere status and meet public-availability restrictions. The festival reserves most short-film slots for its open call.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.darknightsfilmfest.com/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/DarkNightsFilmFest",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://www.darknightsfilmfest.com/submit",
        "https://filmfreeway.com/DarkNightsFilmFest"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "festival": {
        "text": "October",
        "startMonth": 10,
        "endMonth": 10,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opening TBC · Closes Aug",
        "openMonth": null,
        "closeMonth": null,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Fee schedule not confirmed",
        "min": null,
        "max": null,
        "currency": null
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 30,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "animation",
          "series",
          "music-video",
          "screenplay"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "genre",
          "horror",
          "independent"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "required"
        ],
        "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": "unknown",
        "closesOn": null,
        "closeExact": false,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": null,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/dark-nights-film-fest"
    },
    {
      "id": "monster-fest",
      "name": "Monster Fest",
      "shortName": null,
      "location": "Melbourne, VIC",
      "venue": "Cinema Nova",
      "summary": "Horror, dark fantasy and extreme genre cinema. Features (60–120 min, Australian premiere) and shorts (15 min or less, Victorian premiere). Strict anti-AI policy.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.monsterfest.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/MonsterFest",
      "imageUrl": "https://www.monsterfest.com.au/monsterfest/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Black-Sheeps-JK-and-HK-Join-QandA-1.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://www.monsterfest.com.au/submit/",
        "https://filmfreeway.com/MonsterFest"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "October",
        "startMonth": 10,
        "endMonth": 10,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens early year · Closes early Sep",
        "openMonth": 1,
        "closeMonth": 9,
        "closeDay": 1,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Shorts $35–$60 AUD · Features $60–$90 AUD",
        "min": 35,
        "max": 90,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 120,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "vic"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "animation"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "genre",
          "horror"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "required"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "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": "2027-01-01",
        "daysToClose": 296,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/monster-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"
    }
  ]
}