Film Festivals AU

Film festivals in the Northern Territory

Film festivals in the Northern Territory listed here include Darwin International Film Festival and the National Indian Film Festival of Australia’s touring circuit. Use the cards to compare their different programme interests and submission requirements. Confirm the screening location and category eligibility with each organiser, including any cultural connection, premiere condition or restriction on films already available online.

Submission calendar (2)

├─┤ Submissions ▬ Festival ┄ Approximate / recurring dates │ Today: 2026-11-09
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Submission windows and festival dates for the current filters
FestivalDates by month
NIFFASubmissions: opens Oct 2026 (approx.); closes 10 Jan 2027. Opens Oct · Closes Jan. Festival: 17 Mar 2027 – 27 Jun 2027.
DIFFSubmissions: opens Mar 2027 (approx.); closes 18 Jun 2027. Opens Mar · Closes mid-Jun. Festival: 9 Sep 2027 – 19 Sep 2027.

2 festivals

Sorted by next festival date · Narrow these down with more filters

  1. Genre, identity & specialised

    National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA)

    Sydney, NSW
    Next: 17 Mar 2027 (in 4 months)

    Open for entries · closes 10 Jan 2027

    Festival
    17 Mar–27 June 2027 · National circuit
    Entries
    Opens Oct · Closes Jan
    Fees
    Shorts $35–$75 · Features $50–$115 · Student rates available; currency unconfirmed
    Submit via
    FilmFreeway

    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.

    • Features
    • Shorts
    • Documentaries
    • Animation
    • Multicultural & diaspora

    Details for National Indian Film Festival of Australia Submit (external site) Website (external site)

  2. Deckchair Cinema photo by DaHuzyBru, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized).

    Major

    Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF)

    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.

    • Features
    • Shorts
    • Documentaries
    • Independent cinema
    • Regional filmmakers
    • Cash prizes

    Details for Darwin International Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)