{
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    "sort": "upcoming"
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  "festivals": [
    {
      "id": "made-in-the-west-film-festival",
      "name": "Made in the West Film Festival",
      "shortName": null,
      "location": "Liverpool, NSW",
      "venue": "Event Cinemas Liverpool",
      "summary": "Western Sydney's flagship short film festival, screening finalists at Event Cinemas Liverpool. Films must be under 30 minutes and have cast, crew or locations from Western Sydney.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.madeinthewest.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://www.madeinthewest.com.au/film-festival-entry-criteria",
      "imageUrl": "https://static.wixstatic.com/media/20d675_8d1a1856eb7d4892aa933f7202c78cb6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_2500,h_1330,al_c/20d675_8d1a1856eb7d4892aa933f7202c78cb6~mv2.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://www.madeinthewest.com.au/",
        "https://www.madeinthewest.com.au/faq"
      ],
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      "festival": {
        "text": "November",
        "startMonth": 11,
        "endMonth": 11,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Mar · Closes early Oct",
        "openMonth": 3,
        "closeMonth": 10,
        "closeDay": 9,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "Direct portal (festival website)",
      "fees": {
        "text": "$35–$50 AUD (early bird to late round)",
        "min": 35,
        "max": 50,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
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      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
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          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
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          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "series",
          "music-video"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "regional",
          "local"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
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        "premiere": [
          "none"
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        "cost": [
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        "daysToClose": 335,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/made-in-the-west-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",
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        "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"
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          "documentary"
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        "focus": [
          "youth",
          "mobile"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
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        "cost": [
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          "student"
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          "direct"
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        "sortDate": "2026-11-08"
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        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 297,
        "closingSoon": false
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      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/smartfone-flick-fest"
    },
    {
      "id": "flickerfest",
      "name": "Flickerfest",
      "shortName": "FLiCKERFEST",
      "location": "Bondi Beach, Sydney, NSW",
      "venue": "Bondi Pavilion",
      "summary": "Australia's leading Academy Award® and BAFTA qualifying international short film festival, staged at Bondi Pavilion on Bondi Beach. Requires Australian premieres for competitive shorts up to 35 minutes.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://flickerfest.com.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/flickerfest",
      "imageUrl": "https://flickerfest.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Screen-Australia-Flickerfest-Web-Banner-scaled.png",
      "sources": [
        "https://flickerfest.com.au/entries/",
        "https://filmfreeway.com/flickerfest"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "January",
        "startMonth": 1,
        "endMonth": 1,
        "startDate": "2027-01-22",
        "endDate": "2027-01-31"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Jun · Closes mid-Oct",
        "openMonth": 6,
        "closeMonth": 10,
        "closeDay": 14,
        "deadline": "2026-10-14"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "~$17–$60 AUD (Specsavers TVC ad competition free)",
        "min": 17,
        "max": 60,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 35,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "short"
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          "nsw"
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          "documentary",
          "animation"
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        "focus": [
          "independent",
          "youth"
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        "recognition": [
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          "bafta",
          "cash-prize"
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        "premiere": [
          "required"
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        "cost": [
          "student"
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        "platform": [
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      "next": {
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        "startDate": "2027-01-22",
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        "daysAway": 75,
        "sortDate": "2027-01-22"
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        "daysToClose": 340,
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      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/flickerfest"
    },
    {
      "id": "antenna-documentary-film-festival",
      "name": "Antenna Documentary Film Festival",
      "shortName": "Antenna",
      "location": "Sydney, NSW",
      "venue": null,
      "summary": "Creative non-fiction from Australia and around the world. Feature documentaries (60 min or longer) compete for a $10,000 cash prize; Australian short documentaries (30 min or less) compete for $5,000. Sydney premiere required.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://antennafestival.org/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/AntennaFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://antennafestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AntennaLogo.png",
      "sources": [
        "https://antennafestival.org/call-for-submissions/",
        "https://filmfreeway.com/AntennaFestival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "February",
        "startMonth": 2,
        "endMonth": 2,
        "startDate": "2027-02-04",
        "endDate": "2027-02-14"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Apr · Closes late Oct",
        "openMonth": 4,
        "closeMonth": 10,
        "closeDay": 31,
        "deadline": "2026-10-31"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Shorts $15–$30 USD · Features $25–$30 USD",
        "min": 15,
        "max": 30,
        "currency": "USD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
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          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "documentary"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "required"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-02-04",
        "endDate": "2027-02-14",
        "monthsAway": 3,
        "daysAway": 88,
        "sortDate": "2027-02-04"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
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        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-04-01",
        "daysToClose": 357,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/antenna-documentary-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "mardi-gras-film-festival",
      "name": "Mardi Gras Film Festival",
      "shortName": "MGFF",
      "location": "Sydney, NSW",
      "venue": "Event Cinemas George St & Dendy Newtown",
      "summary": "Organised by Queer Screen, MGFF is one of the world's largest LGBTQIA+ film festivals. Home of the 'My Queer Career' Australian short film competition with over $16,000 AUD in prizes and no Sydney premiere requirement.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://queerscreen.org.au/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/mardigrasfilmfestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://queerscreen.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Artboard-1-100.jpg",
      "sources": [
        "https://queerscreen.org.au/",
        "https://filmfreeway.com/mardigrasfilmfestival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "February / March",
        "startMonth": 2,
        "endMonth": 3,
        "startDate": "2027-02-18",
        "endDate": "2027-03-04"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens mid-Sep · Closes early Dec",
        "openMonth": 9,
        "closeMonth": 12,
        "closeDay": 8,
        "deadline": "2026-12-08"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Shorts $30–$40 AUD · Features $50–$60 AUD",
        "min": 30,
        "max": 60,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary",
          "animation",
          "series"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "lgbtqia"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-02-18",
        "endDate": "2027-03-04",
        "monthsAway": 3,
        "daysAway": 102,
        "sortDate": "2027-02-18"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2026-12-08",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 30,
        "closingSoon": true
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/mardi-gras-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": 144,
        "sortDate": "2027-04-01"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-10-25",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-06-01",
        "daysToClose": 351,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/screenwave-nextwave-youth-film-fest"
    },
    {
      "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": 166,
        "sortDate": "2027-04-23"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-01-31",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 84,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/fantastic-film-festival-australia"
    },
    {
      "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": 213,
        "sortDate": "2027-06-09"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-02-26",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 110,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/sydney-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "far-south-film-festival",
      "name": "Far South Film Festival",
      "shortName": "FSFF",
      "location": "Merimbula, NSW",
      "venue": "The Twyford",
      "summary": "Regional NSW festival showcasing films by regional and remote Australian filmmakers (at least two key creatives must reside in regional/remote Australia). Features short films under 40 minutes and features up to 90 minutes.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://www.farsouthfilmfestival.com/",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/farsouthfilmfestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/699147dbe3579955060300bd/t/699147e7e3579955060303ad/1770020441093/Screenshot+2025-06-26+at+14.05.33.png?format=1500w",
      "sources": [
        "https://www.farsouthfilmfestival.com/submit",
        "https://filmfreeway.com/farsouthfilmfestival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "August",
        "startMonth": 8,
        "endMonth": 8,
        "startDate": null,
        "endDate": null
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens Mar · Closes late May",
        "openMonth": 3,
        "closeMonth": 5,
        "closeDay": 25,
        "deadline": null
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "~$25–$45 AUD",
        "min": 25,
        "max": 45,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": 90,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "documentary"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "independent",
          "regional"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "none"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:12Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": false,
        "startDate": "2027-08-01",
        "endDate": null,
        "monthsAway": 9,
        "daysAway": 266,
        "sortDate": "2027-08-01"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-05-25",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-03-01",
        "daysToClose": 198,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/far-south-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": [
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          "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": 297,
        "sortDate": "2027-09-01"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "closed",
        "closesOn": "2027-07-15",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": "2027-02-01",
        "daysToClose": 249,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/sydney-underground-film-festival"
    },
    {
      "id": "sydney-science-fiction-film-festival",
      "name": "Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival",
      "shortName": "SSFFF",
      "location": "Sydney, NSW",
      "venue": "Event Cinemas George St",
      "summary": "Australia's premier dedicated science-fiction, fantasy, and speculative cinema festival. Showcases local and international speculative features, shorts, animations, and student works.",
      "websiteUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/SydneyScienceFictionFilmFestival",
      "submissionUrl": "https://filmfreeway.com/SydneyScienceFictionFilmFestival",
      "imageUrl": "https://filmfreeway-production-storage-01-connector.filmfreeway.com/festivals/logos/000/055/584/large/logo.jpg?1693628540",
      "sources": [
        "https://filmfreeway.com/SydneyScienceFictionFilmFestival"
      ],
      "verifiedOn": "2026-11-08",
      "festival": {
        "text": "October",
        "startMonth": 10,
        "endMonth": 10,
        "startDate": "2027-10-15",
        "endDate": "2027-10-17"
      },
      "submissions": {
        "text": "Opens mid-Oct · Closes late Aug",
        "openMonth": 10,
        "closeMonth": 8,
        "closeDay": 27,
        "deadline": "2027-08-27"
      },
      "platform": "FilmFreeway",
      "fees": {
        "text": "Shorts $20–$40 AUD · Features $40–$65 AUD",
        "min": 20,
        "max": 65,
        "currency": "AUD"
      },
      "maxRuntimeMinutes": null,
      "tags": {
        "category": [
          "specialised"
        ],
        "state": [
          "nsw"
        ],
        "format": [
          "feature",
          "short",
          "animation"
        ],
        "focus": [
          "genre",
          "independent"
        ],
        "recognition": [
          "cash-prize"
        ],
        "premiere": [
          "preferred"
        ],
        "cost": [
          "student"
        ],
        "platform": [
          "filmfreeway"
        ]
      },
      "updatedAt": "2026-11-08T08:08:44Z",
      "next": {
        "status": "upcoming",
        "exact": true,
        "startDate": "2027-10-15",
        "endDate": "2027-10-17",
        "monthsAway": 11,
        "daysAway": 341,
        "sortDate": "2027-10-15"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-08-27",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 292,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/sydney-science-fiction-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": 348,
        "sortDate": "2027-10-22"
      },
      "submissionStatus": {
        "status": "open",
        "closesOn": "2027-08-31",
        "closeExact": true,
        "opensOn": null,
        "daysToClose": 296,
        "closingSoon": false
      },
      "url": "https://film-festivals.au/festivals/byron-bay-international-film-festival"
    }
  ]
}