Short film festivals in Queensland listed here include Brisbane events such as West End Film Festival, alongside regional festivals such as Heart of Gold and Port Shorts. This statewide list focuses on short film festivals, rather than every Queensland event accepting shorts. Check runtime limits, production connections and any local or youth-category requirements before submitting through the festival’s official entry platform.
Submission calendar (8)
├─┤ 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
Understory Film FestivalSubmissions: opens Jun 2026 (approx.); closes 12 Oct 2026. Opens June · Closes Oct. Festival: 21 Nov 2026 – 21 Nov 2026.
AIFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2026 (approx.); closes 18 Sep 2026 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Feb · Closes mid-Sep. Festival: 12 Feb 2027 – 13 Feb 2027.
WEFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2027 (approx.); closes May 2027 (approx.). Opens Feb · Closes May. Festival: Jun 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.).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Regional Queensland festival celebrating heartwarming, inspiring, and uplifting short films from Australia and worldwide. Features fiction, documentary, animation, and student works. Max 30 minutes.
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.
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.
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.
