Short film festivals in Victoria listed here include St Kilda Film Festival, Melbourne Nocturnal Film Festival and Peninsula Film Festival in Rosebud. This is a statewide shortlist of short-focused events, covering Melbourne and beyond. Check each competition’s runtime, premiere and production rules, plus any age or theme requirements, before choosing where to submit your film.
├─┤ 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.
| Festival | Dates by month |
|---|---|
| Trop JrSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 23 Oct 2026. Opens Aug · Closes Oct. Festival: 4 Dec 2026 – 4 Dec 2026. | |
| PFFSubmissions: opens Feb 2026 (approx.); closes 4 Dec 2026. Opens Feb · Closes early Dec. Festival: 8 Jan 2027 – 12 Jan 2027. | |
| Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Funny ShortsSubmissions: opens Nov 2026 (approx.); closes 5 Feb 2027. Opens Nov · Closes early Feb. Festival: Apr 2027 (approx.). | |
| MNFFSubmissions: opens Aug 2026 (approx.); closes 31 Mar 2027. Opens Aug · Closes Mar. Festival: 1 May 2027 – 2 May 2027. | |
| SKFFSubmissions: opens Sep 2026 (approx.); closes 15 Jan 2027 (typical; unconfirmed). Opens Sep · Closes mid-Jan. Festival: 3 Jun 2027 – 13 Jun 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.
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Short film
Entries open Aug 2027
Australian short film festival for filmmakers aged 15 and under. The 2026 signature item is MAP, and the Melbourne grand final is invitation only.
Details for Trop Jr Submit (external site) Website (external site)
Short film
Closing soon · entries close 4 Dec
Iconic outdoor short film festival on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, judged live by a panel of celebrity judges with up to $30K in cash and prizes.
Details for Peninsula Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
Short film
Open for entries · closes 5 Feb 2027
Comedy shorts strictly under 10 minutes, including credits, screening at ACMI. Entry conditions require filmmakers to be over 18 and Australian citizens or permanent residents. Previously premiered films may enter, subject to a public-availability blackout through 18 April 2027; winner and audience prizes are offered.
Details for Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Funny Shorts Submit (external site) Website (external site)
Short film
Open for entries · closes 31 Mar 2027
Australian-made narrative, documentary, animated and experimental shorts with an offbeat emphasis. Films must be strictly under 30 minutes. Premiere status is preferred but not required, and First Nations filmmakers can request a fee waiver.
Details for Melbourne Nocturnal Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
Short film
Open for entries · closes 15 Jan 2027
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.
Details for St Kilda Film Festival Submit (external site) Website (external site)
