{
  "today": "2026-11-09",
  "total": 71,
  "matched": 7,
  "offset": 0,
  "limit": 500,
  "filters": {
    "q": "",
    "facets": {
      "format": [
        "screenplay"
      ]
    },
    "open": false,
    "month": null,
    "runtime": null,
    "sort": "upcoming"
  },
  "festivals": [
    {
      "id": "australia-independent-film-festival",
      "name": "Australia Independent Film Festival",
      "shortName": "AIFF",
      "location": "Brisbane, QLD",
      "venue": "Palace Cinemas James Street",
      "summary": "Brisbane-based celebration of exceptional independent cinema from Queensland, Australia, and internationally. Features narrative shorts, documentaries, student films, and screenplays with no strict premiere restrictions.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.ausindefest.com/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/ausindefest",
      "imageUrl": "https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0501c0_70c8d93a35864429ae2975a538e1b101~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1800,h_900,al_c/0501c0_70c8d93a35864429ae2975a538e1b101~mv2.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/ausindefest",
        "https://www.ausindefest.com/"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "February",
        "startMonth": 2,
        "endMonth": 2,
        "startDate": "2027-02-12",
        "endDate": "2027-02-13"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Feb · Closes mid-Sep",
        "openMonth": 2,
        "closeMonth": 9,
        "closeDay": 18,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "~$25–$50 AUD depending on category",
        "min": 25,
        "max": 50,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
        ],
        "state": [
          "qld"
        ],
        "format": [
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "screenplay"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-02-12",
        "endDate": "2027-02-13",
        "monthsAway": 3,
        "daysAway": 95,
        "sortDate": "2027-02-12"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-09-18",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-02-01",
        "daysToClose": 313,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/australia-independent-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "sydney-womens-international-film-festival",
      "name": "Sydney Women’s International Film Festival",
      "shortName": "SWIFF",
      "location": "Sydney, NSW",
      "venue": "Palace Cinemas Moore Park",
      "summary": "Features, shorts, documentaries, animation, music videos, web series and screenplays supporting women and non-binary filmmakers. Film entries require both an eligible key creative and protagonist. NSW cinematic release and online availability restrictions apply, with exceptions for web series and music videos.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://swiff.tv/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/sydneywomensinternationalfilmfest",
      "imageUrl": null,
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/sydneywomensinternationalfilmfest"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-09",
      "festival": {
        "text": "11–17 Apr 2027",
        "startMonth": 4,
        "endMonth": 4,
        "startDate": "2027-04-11",
        "endDate": "2027-04-17"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Jan · Closes Nov",
        "openMonth": 1,
        "closeMonth": 11,
        "closeDay": null,
        "deadline": "2026-11-30"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Shorts/music videos $37–$105 · Features $100–$200 · Other categories vary; currency unconfirmed",
        "min": null,
        "max": null,
        "currency": null
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "series",
          "music-video",
          "screenplay"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "women",
          "mobile"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-09T01:06:57Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-04-11",
        "endDate": "2027-04-17",
        "monthsAway": 5,
        "daysAway": 153,
        "sortDate": "2027-04-11"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2026-11-30",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 21,
        "closingSoon": true
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/sydney-womens-international-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "gold-coast-film-festival",
      "name": "Gold Coast Film Festival",
      "shortName": "GCFF",
      "location": "Gold Coast, QLD",
      "venue": "HOTA (Home of the Arts)",
      "summary": "Queensland festival held at HOTA celebrating features, SIPFEST short films, web series, and screenplays. Queensland premiere strictly required for feature and short film competition entries. AACTA Award-qualifying for features.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://gcfilmfestival.com/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/GoldCoastFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/festivals/cover_photos/000/022/804/original/cover_photo.jpg?1786687449",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/GoldCoastFilmFestival",
        "https://gcfilmfestival.com/"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "April / May",
        "startMonth": 4,
        "endMonth": 5,
        "startDate": "2027-04-28",
        "endDate": "2027-05-09"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens mid-Aug · Closes late Jan",
        "openMonth": 8,
        "closeMonth": 1,
        "closeDay": 22,
        "deadline": "2027-01-22"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Scripts & Web Series $20–$40 AUD · Shorts & Features $40–$70 AUD",
        "min": 20,
        "max": 70,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "major"
        ],
        "state": [
          "qld"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "series",
          "screenplay"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "aacta",
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "required"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-04-28",
        "endDate": "2027-05-09",
        "monthsAway": 5,
        "daysAway": 170,
        "sortDate": "2027-04-28"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-01-22",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 74,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/gold-coast-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"
    },
    {
      "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": "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": "byron-bay-international-film-festival",
      "name": "Byron Bay International Film Festival",
      "shortName": "BBFF",
      "location": "Byron Bay, NSW",
      "venue": "Palace Byron Bay",
      "summary": "Celebrates independent cinema across dramatic features, documentaries, shorts, animations, surf/environmental films, and VR/XR. Prefers NSW premieres for major titles and awards cash prizes.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.bbff.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/ByronBayInternationalFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f75693624dad713fa0405a8/t/6a1e5af9dbedb812c31e0d50/1780374265237/20+years.jpg?format=1500w",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/ByronBayInternationalFilmFestival",
        "https://www.bbff.com.au/"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "October",
        "startMonth": 10,
        "endMonth": 10,
        "startDate": "2027-10-22",
        "endDate": "2027-10-31"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Nov · Closes late Aug",
        "openMonth": 11,
        "closeMonth": 8,
        "closeDay": 31,
        "deadline": "2027-08-31"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "$30–$75 AUD depending on category and tier",
        "min": 30,
        "max": 75,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "major"
        ],
        "state": [
          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "music-video",
          "xr",
          "screenplay"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent",
          "regional",
          "environment"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "preferred"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-10-22",
        "endDate": "2027-10-31",
        "monthsAway": 11,
        "daysAway": 347,
        "sortDate": "2027-10-22"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-08-31",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 295,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/byron-bay-international-film-festival"
    }
  ]
}