# Film Festivals AU

> An index of Australian film festivals and their submission windows for filmmakers. Every listing links to the
> festival's official website and submission page, so each detail can be verified at the source.

Generated 2026-11-08. Festival details change every year: treat the official links below as the source of truth.
"Last checked" is the date a listing was last compared with those official pages.

## Data

- [All festivals as JSON](https://film-festivals.au/api/festivals): every field, CORS enabled. Same filters as the website.
- [Filter groups as JSON](https://film-festivals.au/api/facets)
- [API documentation](https://film-festivals.au/api)
- [Sitemap](https://film-festivals.au/sitemap.xml)

## Festivals

- [Adelaide Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/adelaide-film-festival): Adelaide, SA. Festival: October. Entries: Opens Nov · Closes early Jun. Fees: Shorts $40–$75 AUD · Features $80–$130 AUD.
  - Official website: https://www.adelaidefilmfestival.org/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/AdlFilmFest
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Antenna Documentary Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/antenna-documentary-film-festival): Sydney, NSW. Festival: February. Entries: Opens Apr · Closes late Oct. Fees: Shorts $15–$30 USD · Features $25–$30 USD.
  - Official website: https://antennafestival.org/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/AntennaFestival
  - Source: https://antennafestival.org/call-for-submissions/
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Australia Independent Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/australia-independent-film-festival): Brisbane, QLD. Festival: February. Entries: Opens Feb · Closes mid-Sep. Fees: ~$25–$50 AUD depending on category.
  - Official website: https://www.ausindefest.com/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/ausindefest
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Byron Bay International Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/byron-bay-international-film-festival): Byron Bay, NSW. Festival: October. Entries: Opens Nov · Closes late Aug. Fees: $30–$75 AUD depending on category and tier.
  - Official website: https://www.bbff.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/ByronBayInternationalFilmFestival
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Canberra Short Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/canberra-short-film-festival): Canberra, ACT. Festival: October. Entries: Opens Feb · Closes late Jun. Fees: ~$25–$45 AUD.
  - Official website: https://www.csff.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/CanbShrtFilmFest
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [CinefestOZ](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/cinefestoz): Busselton / Margaret River, WA. Festival: August / September. Entries: Opens Feb · Closes June 1. Fees: ~$50–$100 AUD depending on category.
  - Official website: https://cinefestoz.com/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/CinefestOZFilmFestival
  - Source: https://cinefestoz.com/submit/
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Darwin International Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/darwin-international-film-festival): Darwin, NT. Festival: September. Entries: Opens Mar · Closes mid-Jun. Fees: $15 AUD flat fee ($10 student).
  - Official website: https://www.diff.net.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/diff_nt
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Environmental Films Australia](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/environmental-films-australia): Melbourne, VIC. Festival: October. Entries: Opens mid-year · Closes late Aug. Fees: ~$25–$50 AUD depending on category.
  - Official website: https://environmentalfilms.org.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/environmentalfilmsaus
  - Source: https://environmentalfilms.org.au/submit
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Fantastic Film Festival Australia](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/fantastic-film-festival-australia): Melbourne, VIC & Sydney, NSW. Festival: April / May. Entries: Opens late Sep · Closes late Jan. Fees: $30–$60 AUD depending on tier and category.
  - Official website: https://www.fantasticfilmfestival.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/FFFA
  - Source: https://www.fantasticfilmfestival.com.au/fantastic-film-prize-terms-conditions
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Far South Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/far-south-film-festival): Merimbula, NSW. Festival: August. Entries: Opens Mar · Closes late May. Fees: ~$25–$45 AUD.
  - Official website: https://www.farsouthfilmfestival.com/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/farsouthfilmfestival
  - Source: https://www.farsouthfilmfestival.com/submit
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Fleurieu Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/fleurieu-film-festival): McLaren Vale, SA. Festival: February. Entries: Opens Jun · Closes early Dec. Fees: $20–$35 AUD ($28–$33 student).
  - Official website: https://fleurieufilmfestival.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/FleurieuFilmFestival
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Flickerfest](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/flickerfest): Bondi Beach, Sydney, NSW. Festival: January. Entries: Opens Jun · Closes mid-Oct. Fees: ~$17–$60 AUD (Specsavers TVC ad competition free).
  - Official website: https://flickerfest.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/flickerfest
  - Source: https://flickerfest.com.au/entries/
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Geelong Pride Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/geelong-pride-film-festival): Geelong, VIC. Festival: April. Entries: Opens Aug · Closes late Jan. Fees: Shorts $15–$25 AUD · Features $25–$40 AUD.
  - Official website: https://gpff.org.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/GeelongPrideFilm
  - Source: https://gpff.ferve.tickets/
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Gold Coast Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/gold-coast-film-festival): Gold Coast, QLD. Festival: April / May. Entries: Opens mid-Aug · Closes late Jan. Fees: Scripts & Web Series $20–$40 AUD · Shorts & Features $40–$70 AUD.
  - Official website: https://gcfilmfestival.com/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/GoldCoastFilmFestival
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/heart-of-gold-international-short-film-festival): Gympie, QLD. Festival: September / October. Entries: Opens Mar · Closes mid-year. Fees: ~$30–$50 AUD.
  - Official website: https://www.heartofgold.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/heartofgoldfilmfest
  - Source: https://www.heartofgold.com.au/volunteer
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Made in the West Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/made-in-the-west-film-festival): Liverpool, NSW. Festival: November. Entries: Opens Mar · Closes early Oct. Fees: $35–$50 AUD (early bird to late round).
  - Official website: https://www.madeinthewest.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://www.madeinthewest.com.au/film-festival-entry-criteria
  - Source: https://www.madeinthewest.com.au/faq
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Mardi Gras Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/mardi-gras-film-festival): Sydney, NSW. Festival: February / March. Entries: Opens mid-Sep · Closes early Dec. Fees: Shorts $30–$40 AUD · Features $50–$60 AUD.
  - Official website: https://queerscreen.org.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/mardigrasfilmfestival
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Melbourne Documentary Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/melbourne-documentary-film-festival): Melbourne, VIC. Festival: July. Entries: Opens June · Closes May. Fees: ~$10–$62 AUD depending on tier and category.
  - Official website: https://mdff.org.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/MelbourneDocumentaryFilmFestival
  - Source: https://www.mdff.org.au/submission-rules
  - Source: https://filmmakers.festhome.com/festival/1365
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Melbourne International Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/melbourne-international-film-festival): Melbourne, VIC. Festival: August. Entries: Opens mid-Oct · Closes mid-Feb. Fees: Shorts $50–$95 AUD · Features $90–$145 AUD.
  - Official website: https://miff.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival
  - Source: https://miff.com.au/submissions
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Melbourne Queer Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/melbourne-queer-film-festival): Melbourne, VIC. Festival: November. Entries: Opens May · Closes early Aug. Fees: Free for Australian entrants (waiver code by email); fees apply to international entries.
  - Official website: https://mqff.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://mqff.com.au/film-submissions/
  - Source: https://filmfreeway.com/MelbourneQueerFilmFestival
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Melbourne Women in Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/melbourne-women-in-film-festival): Melbourne, VIC. Festival: March. Entries: Opens May · Closes early Oct. Fees: $20–$55 AUD depending on category and tier (waivers for First Nations & diverse creators).
  - Official website: https://www.mwff.org.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/MelbourneWomeninFilmFestival
  - Source: https://www.mwff.org.au/shorts-awards-guidelines
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Monster Fest](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/monster-fest): Melbourne, VIC. Festival: October. Entries: Opens early year · Closes early Sep. Fees: Shorts $35–$60 AUD · Features $60–$90 AUD.
  - Official website: https://www.monsterfest.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/MonsterFest
  - Source: https://www.monsterfest.com.au/submit/
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Over The Fence Comedy Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/over-the-fence-comedy-film-festival): Fremantle, WA. Festival: April. Entries: Open by Nov · Closes late Dec. Fees: Shorts under 15m $28–$45 AUD · Shorts 16–40m $35–$52 AUD.
  - Official website: https://www.overthefence.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/OverTheFenceComedyFilmFestival
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Peninsula Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/peninsula-film-festival): Rosebud, VIC. Festival: January. Entries: Opens Feb · Closes early Dec. Fees: $25 AUD standard ($15 Emerging Filmmaker Award).
  - Official website: https://www.peninsulafilmfestival.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/PeninsulaFilmFestival
  - Source: https://www.peninsulafilmfestival.com.au/peninsula-film-festival.html
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Port Shorts Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/port-shorts-film-festival): Port Douglas, QLD. Festival: October. Entries: Opens Apr · Closes early Sep. Fees: ~$30–$45 AUD.
  - Official website: https://portshorts.com/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/PortShortsFilmFestival
  - Source: https://portshorts.com/about-port-shorts/
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Revelation Perth International Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/revelation-perth-international-film-festival): Perth, WA. Festival: July. Entries: Opens late Aug · Closes late Feb. Fees: $40–$60 AUD flat fee across categories.
  - Official website: https://www.revelationfilmfest.org/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/RevelationFilmFestival
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Screenwave / Nextwave Youth Film Fest](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/screenwave-nextwave-youth-film-fest): Coffs Harbour, NSW. Festival: April. Entries: Opens mid-year · Closes late Oct. Fees: Free entry for Australian youth (ages 10–25).
  - Official website: https://swiff.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/NextwaveYouthFilmFestival
  - Source: https://swiff.com.au/nextwave/
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [SmartFone Flick Fest](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/smartfone-flick-fest): Sydney, NSW. Festival: October / November. Entries: Opens Nov · Closes early Sep. Fees: SF3 Kids Free · Shorts $25–$40 AUD · Features $40–$60 AUD.
  - Official website: https://sf3.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/SF3
  - Source: https://sf3.com.au/submit/rules/
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [St Kilda Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/st-kilda-film-festival): St Kilda, Melbourne, VIC. Festival: June. Entries: Opens Sep · Closes mid-Jan. Fees: Top Shorts ~$35–$60 AUD · Free for Under the Radar (youth).
  - Official website: https://www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/StKildaFilmFestival
  - Source: https://www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/participate/submit-a-film
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Sydney Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/sydney-film-festival): Sydney, NSW. Festival: June. Entries: Opens Oct · Closes late Feb. Fees: ~$45 AUD flat fee (free for First Nations & Screenability).
  - Official website: https://www.sff.org.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/SydneyFilmFestival
  - Source: https://cms.sff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/26-10-12-SFF2027-Submissions-Open-MR.pdf
  - Source: https://www.sff.org.au/info/submissions/
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/sydney-science-fiction-film-festival): Sydney, NSW. Festival: October. Entries: Opens mid-Oct · Closes late Aug. Fees: Shorts $20–$40 AUD · Features $40–$65 AUD.
  - Official website: https://filmfreeway.com/SydneyScienceFictionFilmFestival
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/SydneyScienceFictionFilmFestival
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [Sydney Underground Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/sydney-underground-film-festival): Marrickville, Sydney, NSW. Festival: September. Entries: Opens Feb · Closes mid-Jul. Fees: Shorts $30–$55 AUD · Features $45–$75 AUD.
  - Official website: https://www.suff.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/SydneyUndergroundFilmFestival
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08
- [WA Made Film Festival](https://film-festivals.au/festivals/wa-made-film-festival): Perth, WA. Festival: February. Entries: Opens Aug · Closes early Dec. Fees: Shorts $15 AUD · Long Shorts $25 AUD · Features $35 AUD.
  - Official website: https://www.wamadefilmfestival.com.au/
  - Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/WAMadeFilmFestival
  - Last checked: 2026-11-08 · Updated: 2026-11-08