Feature film festivals in Australia listed here accept feature-length work within their stated entry categories. Compare general festivals with events focused on a genre, community or subject to find a suitable programme. Before submitting, confirm how the category defines a feature and check premiere history, previous distribution, online availability and screening rights. A feature tag alone does not establish eligibility for every feature film.
Submission calendar (36)
├─┤ Submissions▬ Festival┄ Approximate / recurring dates│ Today: 2026-11-09
Next festival edition and its preceding submission window; closed windows stay visible. Dashed boxes show possible months, not confirmed days. Scroll for all festivals and months; hover a row for dates.
Submission windows and festival dates for the current filters
Festival
Dates by month
MQFFSubmissions: opens May 2026 (approx.); closes 3 Aug 2026 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens May · Closes early Aug. Festival: Nov 2026 (approx.).
SF3Submissions: opens Nov 2025 (approx.); closes 1 Sep 2026 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Nov · Closes early Sep. Festival: Oct 2026 – Nov 2026 (approx.).
CCFFSubmissions: opens Mar 2026 (approx.); closes 1 Sep 2026. Opens Mar · Closes early Sept. Festival: 14 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026.
MUFFSubmissions: opens Dec 2025 (approx.); closes 28 Oct 2026. Opens Dec · Closes late Oct. Festival: 26 Nov 2026 – 29 Nov 2026.
CFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2026 (approx.); closes 1 Nov 2026 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Feb · Closes early Nov. Festival: Jan 2027 (approx.).
AntennaSubmissions: opens Apr 2026 (approx.); closes 31 Oct 2026. Opens Apr · Closes late Oct. Festival: 4 Feb 2027 – 14 Feb 2027.
MGFFSubmissions: opens Sep 2026 (approx.); closes 8 Dec 2026. Opens mid-Sep · Closes early Dec. Festival: 18 Feb 2027 – 4 Mar 2027.
WAMFFSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 1 Dec 2026. Opens Aug · Closes early Dec. Festival: 18 Feb 2027 – 28 Feb 2027.
BFFSubmissions: opens Jul 2026 (approx.); closes 29 Oct 2026. Opens Jul · Closes late Oct. Festival: 25 Feb 2027 – 6 Mar 2027.
PQFFSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 18 Dec 2026. Opens Aug · Closes Dec. Festival: 3 Mar 2027 – 10 Mar 2027.
GIFFSubmissions: opens Mar 2026 (approx.); closes 13 Jan 2027. Opens Mar · Closes Jan. Festival: 12 Mar 2027 – 19 Mar 2027.
NIFFASubmissions: opens Oct 2026 (approx.); closes 10 Jan 2027. Opens Oct · Closes Jan. Festival: 17 Mar 2027 – 27 Jun 2027.
SWIFFSubmissions: opens Jan 2026 (approx.); closes 30 Nov 2026. Opens Jan · Closes Nov. Festival: 11 Apr 2027 – 17 Apr 2027.
GPFFSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 29 Jan 2027. Opens Aug · Closes late Jan. Festival: 15 Apr 2027 – 18 Apr 2027.
FFFASubmissions: opens Sep 2026 (approx.); closes 31 Jan 2027. Opens late Sep · Closes late Jan. Festival: 23 Apr 2027 – 16 May 2027.
GCFFSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 22 Jan 2027. Opens mid-Aug · Closes late Jan. Festival: 28 Apr 2027 – 9 May 2027.
SFFSubmissions: opens Oct 2026 (approx.); closes 26 Feb 2027. Opens Oct · Closes late Feb. Festival: 9 Jun 2027 – 20 Jun 2027.
Vision Splendid Outback Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 1 Jun 2027. Opens Aug · Closes early June. Festival: 25 Jun 2027 – 3 Jul 2027.
MDFFSubmissions: opens Jun 2026 (approx.); closes May 2027 (approx.). Opens June · Closes May. Festival: Jul 2027 (approx.).
RevSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 28 Feb 2027. Opens late Aug · Closes late Feb. Festival: 7 Jul 2027 – 18 Jul 2027.
CinefestOZSubmissions: opens Feb 2027 (approx.); closes 1 Jun 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Feb · Closes June 1. Festival: Aug 2027 – Sep 2027 (approx.).
FSFFSubmissions: opens Mar 2027 (approx.); closes 25 May 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Mar · Closes late May. Festival: Aug 2027 (approx.).
NISFFSubmissions: opening TBC; closing TBC. Next submission window TBC. Festival: Aug 2027 (approx.).
QSFFSubmissions: opening TBC; closing TBC. Next submission window TBC. Festival: Aug 2027 – Sep 2027 (approx.).
MIFFSubmissions: opens Oct 2026 (approx.); closes 16 Feb 2027. Opens mid-Oct · Closes mid-Feb. Festival: 5 Aug 2027 – 22 Aug 2027.
SFCSubmissions: opens Sep 2026 (approx.); closes 1 Jun 2027. Opens Sept · Closes early June. Festival: 13 Aug 2027 – 14 Aug 2027.
SUFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2027 (approx.); closes 15 Jul 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Feb · Closes mid-Jul. Festival: Sep 2027 (approx.).
DIFFSubmissions: opens Mar 2027 (approx.); closes 18 Jun 2027. Opens Mar · Closes mid-Jun. Festival: 9 Sep 2027 – 19 Sep 2027.
EFFASubmissions: opens Jun 2027 (approx.); closes 31 Aug 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens mid-year · Closes late Aug. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).
Monster FestSubmissions: opens Jan 2027 (approx.); closes 1 Sep 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens early year · Closes early Sep. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).
AFINSubmissions: opens Oct 2026 (approx.); closes 27 Jun 2027. Opens late Oct · Closes late Jun. Festival: 10 Oct 2027 – 23 Oct 2027.
SSFFFSubmissions: opens Oct 2026 (approx.); closes 27 Aug 2027. Opens mid-Oct · Closes late Aug. Festival: 15 Oct 2027 – 17 Oct 2027.
AFFSubmissions: opens Nov 2026 (approx.); closes 8 Jun 2027. Opens Nov · Closes early Jun. Festival: 20 Oct 2027 – 31 Oct 2027.
BBFFSubmissions: opens Nov 2026 (approx.); closes 31 Aug 2027. Opens Nov · Closes late Aug. Festival: 22 Oct 2027 – 31 Oct 2027.
Cinematic Horror Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Apr 2027 (approx.); closes 31 Aug 2027. Opens Apr · Closes Aug. Festival: 31 Oct 2027 – 31 Oct 2027.
Includes festival dates for all current matches. Approximate dates cover the possible months and are marked tentative. This is a one-time import; changes here will not sync automatically.
Melbourne, VIC · ACMI & Village Jam Factory This month
Entries open May 2027
Festival
November
Entries
Opens May · Closes early Aug
Fees
Free for Australian entrants (waiver code by email); fees apply to international entries
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Australia's oldest and largest LGBTQIA+ film festival, screening more than 140 features, shorts and documentaries across Melbourne. Entry is free for Australian filmmakers.
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.
Ettalong Beach, NSW · Cinema Paradiso Next: 14 Nov 2026 (in 5 days)
Entries open Mar 2027
Festival
14–21 Nov 2026
Entries
Opens Mar · Closes early Sept
Fees
$10–$115 AUD across categories · Student and local rates available
Submit via
FilmFreeway
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.
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.
Yeppoon, QLD · Yeppoon Town Hall Next: Jan 2027 (in 2 months)
Entries open Feb 2027
Festival
January
Entries
Opens Feb · Closes early Nov
Fees
Shorts $10–$30 AUD · Features $50–$65 AUD
Submit via
FilmFreeway
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.
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.
Sydney, NSW · Event Cinemas George St & Dendy Newtown Next: 18 Feb 2027 (in 3 months)
Closing soon · entries close 8 Dec
Festival
February / March
Entries
Opens mid-Sep · Closes early Dec
Fees
Shorts $30–$40 AUD · Features $50–$60 AUD
Submit via
FilmFreeway
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.
Perth, WA · Palace Cinemas Raine Square Next: 18 Feb 2027 (in 3 months)
Closing soon · entries close 1 Dec
Festival
February
Entries
Opens Aug · Closes early Dec
Fees
Shorts $15 AUD · Long Shorts $25 AUD · Features $35 AUD
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Western Australia's largest celebration of exclusively WA-made screen content, showcasing features, documentaries, shorts, web series, and the 'Get Smart!' smartphone film competition.
Melbourne, VIC · RMIT - The Capitol Next: 25 Feb 2027 (in 3 months)
Entries open Jul 2027
Festival
Feb / Mar
Entries
Opens Jul · Closes late Oct
Fees
Free to $10 AUD (Shorts) · $10–$25 AUD (Features)
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Australia's premier Indigenous-led biennial film festival celebrating First Nations storytelling through cinema. Features, documentaries, shorts, animations, and VR/XR works, requiring the director or writer/producer to be Indigenous. No premiere status required.
West Perth, WA · The Backlot Studios Next: 3 Mar 2027 (in 4 months)
Open for entries · closes 18 Dec
Festival
3–10 Mar 2027
Entries
Opens Aug · Closes Dec
Fees
$5 early/regular · $10 late; currency unconfirmed
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Features, shorts and documentaries with significant LGBTQIA+ content. The festival presents audience and jury awards; DCP delivery is preferred but other formats can be considered.
International and Australian shorts, including regional and Gippsland categories, with features considered by arrangement. Previously screened and publicly available films can be considered without a premiere requirement. Student rates and a free local youth category are available.
National festival accepting features, documentaries and shorts connected to India, the Indian diaspora or Indo-Australian culture. Australian premiere required, and competition films must not be publicly available online. The 2027 circuit includes Sydney, regional NSW and other Australian capitals and regional centres.
Sydney, NSW · Palace Cinemas Moore Park Next: 11 Apr 2027 (in 5 months)
Closing soon · entries close 30 Nov
Festival
11–17 Apr 2027
Entries
Opens Jan · Closes Nov
Fees
Shorts/music videos $37–$105 · Features $100–$200 · Other categories vary; currency unconfirmed
Submit via
FilmFreeway
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.
Regional Victoria's premier LGBTQIA+ film festival celebrating queer cinema from Australia and around the world. Accepts narrative features, shorts, documentaries, animation, and web series.
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.
Gold Coast, QLD · HOTA (Home of the Arts) Next: 28 Apr 2027 (in 5 months)
Open for entries · closes 22 Jan 2027
Festival
April / May
Entries
Opens mid-Aug · Closes late Jan
Fees
Scripts & Web Series $20–$40 AUD · Shorts & Features $40–$70 AUD
Submit via
FilmFreeway
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.
Sydney, NSW · State Theatre & Dendy Newtown Next: 9 Jun 2027 (in 7 months)
Open for entries · closes 26 Feb 2027
Festival
June
Entries
Opens Oct · Closes late Feb
Fees
~$45 AUD flat fee (free for First Nations & Screenability)
Submit via
FilmFreeway
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.
Australian independent features, documentaries and shorts screened in outback Queensland. Short-film entries are limited to 10 minutes; feature-length work is also accepted.
Melbourne, VIC · Cinema Nova Next: Jul 2027 (in 8 months)
Open for entries · closes May 2027
Festival
July
Entries
Opens June · Closes May
Fees
~$10–$62 AUD depending on tier and category
Submit via
FilmFreeway & Festhome
Dedicated Australian documentary showcase presenting local and international non-fiction features and shorts, VR/XR, and pitching competitions across cinema and streaming formats.
Perth, WA · Luna Cinemas Leederville Next: 7 Jul 2027 (in 8 months)
Open for entries · closes 28 Feb 2027
Festival
July
Entries
Opens late Aug · Closes late Feb
Fees
$40–$60 AUD flat fee across categories
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Western Australia's champion of independent, underground, documentary, and experimental screen culture. Western Australian premieres required for all feature-length projects.
Busselton / Margaret River, WA Next: Aug 2027 (in 9 months)
Entries open Feb 2027
Festival
August / September
Entries
Opens Feb · Closes June 1
Fees
~$50–$100 AUD depending on category
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Premieres Australian and French-Australian features, documentaries, and shorts across regional WA. Home of the prestigious $100,000 AUD CinefestOZ Film Prize; Western Australian premiere required.
Merimbula, NSW · The Twyford Next: Aug 2027 (in 9 months)
Entries open Mar 2027
Festival
August
Entries
Opens Mar · Closes late May
Fees
~$25–$45 AUD
Submit via
FilmFreeway
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.
International surf and ocean features, documentaries, shorts, animation and experimental films. Strong preference is given to premieres. Selected films must meet Australian screening exclusivity and online-availability restrictions.
Sydney, NSW · Event Cinemas George Street Next: Aug 2027 (in 9 months)
Submission dates TBC
Festival
Aug / Sept
Entries
Next submission window TBC
Fees
Next fee schedule not confirmed
Submit via
FilmFreeway
LGBTQIA+ features and shorts with significant queer characters or themes. Includes an emerging narrative feature competition for first or second features. Australian shorts are encouraged to consider the organiser's separate Mardi Gras festival for My Queer Career eligibility.
Melbourne, VIC · ACMI, The Capitol, Forum Melbourne Next: 5 Aug 2027 (in 9 months)
Open for entries · closes 16 Feb 2027
Festival
August
Entries
Opens mid-Oct · Closes mid-Feb
Fees
Shorts $50–$95 AUD · Features $90–$145 AUD
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Australia's largest and most significant film festival and home of the MIFF Shorts Awards (Academy Award®, BAFTA, and Canadian Screen Award qualifying). Victoria premiere required for all selections.
Canberra, ACT · Tuggeranong Arts Centre Next: 13 Aug 2027 (in 9 months)
Open for entries · closes 1 Jun 2027
Festival
13–14 Aug 2027
Entries
Opens Sept · Closes early June
Fees
Shorts $15–$50 · Features $50–$90 · Student rates and free workshop category; currency unconfirmed
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Science-grounded, optimistic narratives, documentaries and animation, with shorts up to 30 minutes and a selected feature premiere. Features require Canberra premiere status; shorts have no prior-screening restriction. The workshop-participant category is free.
Palmerston, Canberra, ACT Next: 14 Aug 2027 (in 9 months)
Open for entries · closes 31 May 2027
Festival
14–22 Aug 2027 · Online and community screenings
Entries
Opens Aug · Closes May
Fees
$10–$60 across categories · Student rates and requested waivers; currency unconfirmed
Submit via
FilmFreeway
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.
Marrickville, Sydney, NSW · The Factory Theatre Next: Sep 2027 (in 10 months)
Entries open Feb 2027
Festival
September
Entries
Opens Feb · Closes mid-Jul
Fees
Shorts $30–$55 AUD · Features $45–$75 AUD
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Dedicated to provocative, independent, counter-culture, and boundary-pushing cinema. Staged at The Factory Theatre in Marrickville across features, shorts, documentaries, and animation.
Darwin, NT · Deckchair Cinema Next: 9 Sep 2027 (in 10 months)
Entries open Mar 2027
Festival
September
Entries
Opens Mar · Closes mid-Jun
Fees
$15 AUD flat fee ($10 student)
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Iconic outdoor cinema festival held at the waterfront Deckchair Cinema in Darwin. Features international, Australian, and Southeast Asian cinema; selected shorts receive a $100 screening fee.
Melbourne, VIC · Kino Cinema & Palace Westgarth Next: Oct 2027 (in 11 months)
Entries open Jun 2027
Festival
October
Entries
Opens mid-year · Closes late Aug
Fees
~$25–$50 AUD depending on category
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Formerly Environmental Film Festival Australia. Volunteer-run Melbourne festival of documentary, narrative, experimental and animated films about climate, environments and the natural world. Features 40+ minutes, shorts 1–39 minutes; Australian, NZ and First Nations work especially welcome.
Melbourne, VIC · Cinema Nova Next: Oct 2027 (in 11 months)
Entries open Jan 2027
Festival
October
Entries
Opens early year · Closes early Sep
Fees
Shorts $35–$60 AUD · Features $60–$90 AUD
Submit via
FilmFreeway
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.
Brisbane, QLD · SunPAC & Dendy Cinemas Portside Next: 10 Oct 2027 (in 11 months)
Open for entries · closes 27 Jun 2027
Festival
October
Entries
Opens late Oct · Closes late Jun
Fees
Shorts $26–$44 AUD · Features $33–$50 AUD (free for First Nations)
Submit via
FilmFreeway
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.
Sydney, NSW · Event Cinemas George St Next: 15 Oct 2027 (in 11 months)
Open for entries · closes 27 Aug 2027
Festival
October
Entries
Opens mid-Oct · Closes late Aug
Fees
Shorts $20–$40 AUD · Features $40–$65 AUD
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Australia's premier dedicated science-fiction, fantasy, and speculative cinema festival. Showcases local and international speculative features, shorts, animations, and student works.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide Studios Next: 20 Oct 2027 (in 11 months)
Open for entries · closes 8 Jun 2027
Festival
October
Entries
Opens Nov · Closes early Jun
Fees
Shorts $40–$75 AUD · Features $80–$130 AUD
Submit via
FilmFreeway
South Australia's premier screen event showcasing Australian and international narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and series. Competitive festival requiring South Australian premieres for feature-length films.
Byron Bay, NSW · Palace Byron Bay Next: 22 Oct 2027 (in 11 months)
Open for entries · closes 31 Aug 2027
Festival
October
Entries
Opens Nov · Closes late Aug
Fees
$30–$75 AUD depending on category and tier
Submit via
FilmFreeway
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.
Southport, Gold Coast, QLD · Dendy Cinemas Southport Next: 31 Oct 2027 (in 11 months)
Entries open Apr 2027
Festival
31 Oct 2027
Entries
Opens Apr · Closes Aug
Fees
Shorts $25–$30 · Features $50–$100 · Other categories vary; currency unconfirmed
Submit via
FilmFreeway
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.
