Independent film festivals in Australia listed here are tagged for independent cinema, from general programmes to specialist short film and genre events. Australia Independent Film Festival is among the options. Use the cards to compare format, programme focus and location, then check runtime, production eligibility and premiere rules before spending your submission budget. This is a starting shortlist rather than every possible independent-film opportunity.
Submission calendar (30)
├─┤ 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
NiSFFSubmissions: opens Dec 2025 (approx.); closes 10 Nov 2026. Opens Dec · Closes early Nov. Festival: 20 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.).
PFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2026 (approx.); closes 4 Dec 2026. Opens Feb · Closes early Dec. Festival: 8 Jan 2027 – 12 Jan 2027.
FLiCKERFESTSubmissions: opens Jun 2026 (approx.); closes 14 Oct 2026. Opens Jun · Closes mid-Oct. Festival: 22 Jan 2027 – 31 Jan 2027.
FFFSubmissions: opens Jun 2026 (approx.); closes 1 Dec 2026. Opens Jun · Closes early Dec. Festival: 6 Feb 2027 – 6 Feb 2027.
AIFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2026 (approx.); closes 18 Sep 2026 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Feb · Closes mid-Sep. Festival: 12 Feb 2027 – 13 Feb 2027.
BFFSubmissions: opens Jul 2026 (approx.); closes 29 Oct 2026. Opens Jul · Closes late Oct. Festival: 25 Feb 2027 – 6 Mar 2027.
MWFFSubmissions: opens May 2026 (approx.); closes 2 Oct 2026. Opens May · Closes early Oct. Festival: 18 Mar 2027 – 21 Mar 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.).
SKFFSubmissions: opens Sep 2026 (approx.); closes 15 Jan 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Sep · Closes mid-Jan. Festival: 3 Jun 2027 – 13 Jun 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.
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.).
MIFFSubmissions: opens Oct 2026 (approx.); closes 16 Feb 2027. Opens mid-Oct · Closes mid-Feb. Festival: 5 Aug 2027 – 22 Aug 2027.
SLSFFSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 31 May 2027. Opens Aug · Closes late May. Festival: 6 Aug 2027 – 7 Aug 2027.
SUFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2027 (approx.); closes 15 Jul 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Feb · Closes mid-Jul. Festival: Sep 2027 (approx.).
UDFFSubmissions: opens Mar 2027 (approx.); closes Jun 2027 (approx.). Opens Mar · Closes June. Festival: Sep 2027 (approx.).
VSFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2027 (approx.); closes 7 May 2027. Opens Feb · Closes early May. Festival: 3 Sep 2027 – 5 Sep 2027.
DIFFSubmissions: opens Mar 2027 (approx.); closes 18 Jun 2027. Opens Mar · Closes mid-Jun. Festival: 9 Sep 2027 – 19 Sep 2027.
AIFFSubmissions: opens Jan 2027 (approx.); closes Jun 2027 (approx.). Opens Jan · Closes June. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).
CSFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2027 (approx.); closes 30 Jun 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Feb · Closes late Jun. Festival: Oct 2027 (approx.).
Dark Nights Film FestSubmissions: opening TBC; closing TBC. Opening TBC · Closes Aug. 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.
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.
Newcastle, NSW · The Royal Exchange Hybrid Performance Space & Cinema Next: 20 Nov 2026 (in 11 days)
Closing soon · entries close 10 Nov
Festival
November
Entries
Opens Dec · Closes early Nov
Fees
~$7–$24 AUD ($6–$22 student)
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Short film festival held at The Royal Exchange in Newcastle celebrating Australian, regional NSW, and international short films up to 20 minutes across drama, comedy, horror, sci-fi, documentary, animation, and phone films. Newcastle premiere status strictly required.
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.
Bondi Beach, Sydney, NSW · Bondi Pavilion Next: 22 Jan 2027 (in 2 months)
Entries open Jun 2027
Festival
January
Entries
Opens Jun · Closes mid-Oct
Fees
~$17–$60 AUD (Specsavers TVC ad competition free)
Submit via
FilmFreeway
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.
McLaren Vale, SA · McLaren Vale Visitor Centre Next: 6 Feb 2027 (in 3 months)
Closing soon · entries close 1 Dec
Festival
February
Entries
Opens Jun · Closes early Dec
Fees
$20–$35 AUD ($28–$33 student)
Submit via
FilmFreeway
South Australia's premier outdoor short film festival held in the McLaren Vale wine region. Screens short fiction and documentaries with cash prizes and awards across Australian and international categories. Max 15 minutes.
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.
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.
Melbourne, VIC · ACMI Next: 18 Mar 2027 (in 4 months)
Entries open May 2027
Festival
March
Entries
Opens May · Closes early Oct
Fees
$20–$55 AUD depending on category and tier (waivers for First Nations & diverse creators)
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Short films (up to 20 min including credits) and web series with a woman or gender-diverse filmmaker in a key creative role, from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and Moana Oceania. Narrative, documentary, animation, music video and experimental work; no features. Generative AI banned.
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.
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.
St Kilda, Melbourne, VIC · The Astor Theatre & Alex Theatre Next: 3 Jun 2027 (in 7 months)
Open for entries · closes 15 Jan 2027
Festival
June
Entries
Opens Sep · Closes mid-Jan
Fees
Top Shorts ~$35–$60 AUD · Free for Under the Radar (youth)
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Australia's longest-running short film festival, produced by the City of Port Phillip and accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscar® qualifying). Showcases Australia's Top Short Films competition. Victorian premiere required.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hobart, TAS · State Cinema Next: 3 Sep 2027 (in 10 months)
Entries open Feb 2027
Festival
September
Entries
Opens Feb · Closes early May
Fees
Free entry
Submit via
FilmFreeway
National short film festival premiering 2 to 5 minute Australian stories in Hobart before a nationwide tour. Competition films must incorporate the annual signature theme ('TURN' for 2027) and premiere at the festival. Free to enter across 18 & Under and 19 & Over categories.
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.
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.
Canberra, ACT · Dendy Cinemas Canberra Centre Next: Oct 2027 (in 11 months)
Entries open Feb 2027
Festival
October
Entries
Opens Feb · Closes late Jun
Fees
~$25–$45 AUD
Submit via
FilmFreeway
Long-running ACT short film festival screening national and international shorts up to 20 minutes across fiction, documentary, animation, music videos, and local categories.
Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW · The Reservoir Cinema Next: Oct 2027 (in 11 months)
Submission dates TBC
Festival
October
Entries
Opening TBC · Closes Aug
Fees
Fee schedule not confirmed
Submit via
FilmFreeway
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.
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.
