Film Festivals AU

Film festivals in Queensland

Film festivals in Queensland listed here range from Brisbane short film events to Gold Coast Film Festival and regional festivals in places such as Gympie and Port Douglas. Compare the accepted formats and community focus to find a suitable submission. Check residency restrictions, runtime limits and category-specific premiere rules before entering, particularly when considering a local award or competition.

Submission calendar (16)

├─┤ 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
FestivalDates by month
Understory Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Jun 2026 (approx.); closes 12 Oct 2026. Opens June · Closes Oct. Festival: 21 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026.
CFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2026 (approx.); closes 1 Nov 2026 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Feb · Closes early Nov. Festival: Jan 2027 (approx.).
AIFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2026 (approx.); closes 18 Sep 2026 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Feb · Closes mid-Sep. Festival: 12 Feb 2027 – 13 Feb 2027.
NIFFASubmissions: opens Oct 2026 (approx.); closes 10 Jan 2027. Opens Oct · Closes Jan. Festival: 17 Mar 2027 – 27 Jun 2027.
GCFFSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 22 Jan 2027. Opens mid-Aug · Closes late Jan. Festival: 28 Apr 2027 – 9 May 2027.
WEFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2027 (approx.); closes May 2027 (approx.). Opens Feb · Closes May. Festival: Jun 2027 (approx.).
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.
NISFFSubmissions: opening TBC; closing TBC. Next submission window TBC. Festival: Aug 2027 (approx.).
SLSFFSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 31 May 2027. Opens Aug · Closes late May. Festival: 6 Aug 2027 – 7 Aug 2027.
Heart of GoldSubmissions: opens Mar 2027 (approx.); closes 30 Jun 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Mar · Closes mid-year. Festival: Sep 2027 – Oct 2027 (approx.).
UDFFSubmissions: opens Mar 2027 (approx.); closes Jun 2027 (approx.). Opens Mar · Closes June. Festival: Sep 2027 (approx.).
Fraser Shorts Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Oct 2026 (approx.); closes Sep 2027 (approx.). Opens Oct · Closes Sept. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).
Port Shorts Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Apr 2027 (approx.); closes 1 Sep 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Apr · Closes early Sep. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).
STUFFit Student Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Feb 2027 (approx.); closes 25 Jun 2027. Opens late Feb · Closes June. Festival: 2 Oct 2027 – 2 Oct 2027.
AFINSubmissions: opens Oct 2026 (approx.); closes 27 Jun 2027. Opens late Oct · Closes late Jun. Festival: 10 Oct 2027 – 23 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.

16 festivals

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

  1. Short film

    Understory Film Festival

    Cairns, QLD · Tank 5, Tanks Arts Centre
    Next: 21 Nov 2026 (in 12 days)

    Entries open Jun 2027

    Festival
    21 Nov 2026
    Entries
    Opens June · Closes Oct
    Fees
    Free
    Submit via
    FilmFreeway

    Short films by North and Far North Queensland filmmakers, including residents from Townsville through Cape York, the Gulf and Torres Strait Islands. Accepts documentary, animation, drama, experimental work and music videos; Best Film and People's Choice each receive a $2,500 cash prize.

    • Shorts
    • Documentaries
    • Animation
    • Music videos
    • Regional filmmakers
    • Local / state-made
    • Cash prizes

    Details for Understory Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)

  2. Genre, identity & specialised

    Capricorn Film Festival (CFF)

    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.

    • Features
    • Shorts
    • Documentaries
    • Animation
    • Music videos
    • Experimental & underground
    • Independent cinema
    • Regional filmmakers
    • Cash prizes

    Details for Capricorn Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)

  3. Short film

    Australia Independent Film Festival (AIFF)

    Brisbane, QLD · Palace Cinemas James Street
    Next: 12 Feb 2027 (in 3 months)

    Entries open Feb 2027

    Festival
    February
    Entries
    Opens Feb · Closes mid-Sep
    Fees
    ~$25–$50 AUD depending on category
    Submit via
    FilmFreeway

    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.

    • Shorts
    • Documentaries
    • Animation
    • Screenplays
    • Independent cinema
    • Cash prizes

    Details for Australia Independent Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)

  4. 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)

  5. Major

    Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF)

    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.

    • Features
    • Shorts
    • Series & web series
    • Screenplays
    • Independent cinema
    • AACTA qualifying
    • Cash prizes

    Details for Gold Coast Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)

  6. Short film

    West End Film Festival (WEFF)

    West End, Brisbane, QLD · SAE Brisbane
    Next: Jun 2027 (in 7 months)

    Entries open Feb 2027

    Festival
    June
    Entries
    Opens Feb · Closes May
    Fees
    Fee schedule not confirmed
    Submit via
    FilmFreeway

    Australian short films across genres, including documentary and experimental work. Films must be strictly under 20 minutes and either South-East Queensland-made or Australian productions. Older films can screen, although award eligibility has a more recent completion requirement.

    • Shorts
    • Documentaries
    • Independent cinema
    • Local / state-made

    Details for West End Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)

  7. Genre, identity & specialised

    Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival

    Winton, QLD · Royal Open Air Theatre
    Next: 25 Jun 2027 (in 7 months)

    Open for entries · closes 1 Jun 2027

    Festival
    25 June–3 July 2027
    Entries
    Opens Aug · Closes early June
    Fees
    Shorts $25–$60 · Features $35–$100 · Student rates available; currency unconfirmed
    Submit via
    FilmFreeway

    Australian independent features, documentaries and shorts screened in outback Queensland. Short-film entries are limited to 10 minutes; feature-length work is also accepted.

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

    Details for Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)

  8. Genre, identity & specialised

    Noosa International Surfilm Festival (NISFF)

    Noosa Heads, QLD
    Next: Aug 2027 (in 9 months)

    Submission dates TBC

    Festival
    August
    Entries
    Next submission window TBC
    Fees
    Next fee schedule not confirmed
    Submit via
    FilmFreeway

    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.

    • Features
    • Shorts
    • Documentaries
    • Animation
    • Surf & environment

    Details for Noosa International Surfilm Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)

  9. Short film

    Sparrowland Short Film Festival (SLSFF)

    Brisbane, QLD · PIP Theatre
    Next: 6 Aug 2027 (in 9 months)

    Open for entries · closes 31 May 2027

    Festival
    August
    Entries
    Opens Aug · Closes late May
    Fees
    ~$10–$30 AUD
    Submit via
    FilmFreeway

    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.

    • Shorts
    • Documentaries
    • Animation
    • Series & web series
    • Music videos
    • Horror
    • Independent cinema
    • LGBTQIA+
    • Youth & students

    Details for Sparrowland Short Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)

  10. Short film

    Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival (Heart of Gold)

    Gympie, QLD
    Next: Sep 2027 (in 10 months)

    Entries open Mar 2027

    Festival
    September / October
    Entries
    Opens Mar · Closes mid-year
    Fees
    ~$30–$50 AUD
    Submit via
    FilmFreeway

    Regional Queensland festival celebrating heartwarming, inspiring, and uplifting short films from Australia and worldwide. Features fiction, documentary, animation, and student works. Max 30 minutes.

    • Shorts
    • Documentaries
    • Animation
    • Regional filmmakers
    • Uplifting stories
    • Cash prizes

    Details for Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)

  11. Short film

    Underdog Film Fest (UDFF)

    Kingston, Logan, QLD · Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct
    Next: Sep 2027 (in 10 months)

    Entries open Mar 2027

    Festival
    September
    Entries
    Opens Mar · Closes June
    Fees
    Early entry $7.50 student / $12.50 general · Later rates unconfirmed
    Submit via
    FilmFreeway

    Independent short-film festival in Logan, welcoming diverse filmmakers including First Nations and LGBTQIA+ creators. Australian-made films compete; international shorts may enter an out-of-competition category using a requested waiver. Selected films require hardcoded English subtitles.

    • Shorts
    • Independent cinema
    • LGBTQIA+
    • First Nations
    • Local / state-made

    Details for Underdog Film Fest Submit (external site) Website (external site)

  12. Short film

    Fraser Shorts Film Festival

    Maryborough / Hervey Bay, QLD · Brolga Theatre and Big Screen Cinema
    Next: Oct 2027 (in 11 months)

    Open for entries · closes Sep 2027

    Festival
    October
    Entries
    Opens Oct · Closes Sept
    Fees
    $30 flat fee · Previous-cycle rate; currency unconfirmed
    Submit via
    FilmFreeway

    Short films across fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, environmental, First Nations, music video and student categories. Screenings take place in Maryborough and Hervey Bay. Only films made in the Fraser Coast region qualify for the local category.

    • Shorts
    • Documentaries
    • Animation
    • Music videos
    • Experimental & underground
    • First Nations
    • Regional filmmakers
    • Local / state-made
    • Youth & students
    • Surf & environment

    Details for Fraser Shorts Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)

  13. Short film

    Port Shorts Film Festival

    Port Douglas, QLD · Rex Smeal Park
    Next: Oct 2027 (in 11 months)

    Entries open Apr 2027

    Festival
    October
    Entries
    Opens Apr · Closes early Sep
    Fees
    ~$30–$45 AUD
    Submit via
    FilmFreeway

    Tropical outdoor short film festival in Far North Queensland and an official AACTA Awards qualifying event. Features Open, Local, Music Video, and Reel Futures youth categories under the palms at Rex Smeal Park.

    • Shorts
    • Music videos
    • Regional filmmakers
    • Youth & students
    • AACTA qualifying
    • Cash prizes

    Details for Port Shorts Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)

  14. Genre, identity & specialised

    STUFFit Student Film Festival

    Sunshine Coast, QLD
    Next: 2 Oct 2027 (in 11 months)

    Entries open Feb 2027

    Festival
    2 Oct 2027
    Entries
    Opens late Feb · Closes June
    Fees
    $15 early bird · $20 regular; currency unconfirmed
    Submit via
    FilmFreeway

    International high-school student festival for ages 12–18, accepting scripted films, documentaries, animation, experimental work and music videos. All major production roles must be held by current students. Cash prizes are offered and generative AI content is ineligible.

    • Shorts
    • Documentaries
    • Animation
    • Music videos
    • Youth & students
    • Cash prizes

    Details for STUFFit Student Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)

  15. Genre, identity & specialised

    AFIN International Film Festival (AFIN)

    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.

    • Features
    • Shorts
    • Documentaries
    • Animation
    • Series & web series
    • Screenplays
    • Genre (sci-fi, fantasy, cult)
    • Horror
    • Independent cinema
    • First Nations

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

  16. Genre, identity & specialised

    Cinematic Horror Film Festival

    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.

    • Features
    • Shorts
    • Documentaries
    • Animation
    • Series & web series
    • Music videos
    • Horror

    Details for Cinematic Horror Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)