Finishing an independent film is a major achievement. But once the final edit is complete, how do you get it in front of an audience?
For emerging filmmakers, film festivals can be an important next step. They offer opportunities to screen your work, connect with other creatives, attract industry attention, and build a portfolio that could help you land future projects.
The submission process can seem daunting at first, particularly when you’re navigating eligibility rules, deadlines, and entry fees. Here’s how to submit to film festivals in Australia and internationally, from preparing your application to planning what happens if your film is selected.
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Before submitting your film, research festivals that suit its format, genre, subject matter, and intended audience. Look at previous programs, award winners, and submission guidelines to understand the kinds of work each festival selects.
Australia has a diverse festival circuit, with opportunities for filmmakers at different career stages. Some festivals to investigate include:
- Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF): One of Australia’s major film festivals, MIFF showcases Australian and international cinema across a range of genres and formats.
- Sydney Film Festival: This major annual event features Australian and international features, documentaries, and short films.
- Adelaide Film Festival: It celebrates Australian and international cinema, with a focus on distinctive screen storytelling.
- Flickerfest: A leading Australian short film festival, Flickerfest is particularly relevant for filmmakers who work in short-form storytelling.
- St Kilda Film Festival: This Melbourne-based festival has a strong focus on Australian short films.
- CinefestOZ: This Western Australian festival celebrates Australian film, with screenings and industry activities across the South West.
Each festival has its own eligibility requirements and submission periods, so check the details before applying. Smaller independent, regional, and genre-specific festivals are also worth exploring. An event with a targeted audience could be a better fit for your film than a major festival with a broader program.
For more options, explore Screen Australia’s festivals and markets directory and the Essential Screen Skills film festivals guide. (The latter is particularly curated for young people and emerging filmmakers in Australia.)
Can I enter overseas film festivals?
Absolutely. You don’t need to limit your submissions to Australia. Depending on your film’s eligibility and ambitions, you could also consider international events such as the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), the Cannes Film Festival, or SXSW in the United States.
Those festivals have different selection processes, programming priorities, and eligibility rules. Some categories are highly competitive or have specific premiere requirements, so research them carefully before paying an entry fee.
For emerging filmmakers, smaller international festivals that specialise in a particular genre or format may also offer worthwhile opportunities.
Once you’ve identified potential festivals, read their submission guidelines carefully. Check the following before you apply:
- Film length: Does the festival accept short films, features, or both?
- Completion date: Must your film have been completed within a certain timeframe?
- Geographic eligibility: Are Australian productions eligible? Are there specific categories for local filmmakers?
- Premiere status: Must the film be making its world, international, Australian, or state premiere?
- Previous screenings: Are films that have screened elsewhere, appeared online, or been distributed commercially eligible?
- Language and subtitles: Are English subtitles or other accessibility materials required?
- Rights and permissions: Do you have the necessary rights to the footage, music, and other material in your film?
Premiere requirements deserve particular attention. Some festivals prioritise films that haven’t screened publicly before, and making your film available online could affect its eligibility.
If you plan to submit to several festivals, consider the order in which you apply and whether accepting an earlier screening could affect a later opportunity.
Most festivals require more than the film itself. Preparing your materials in advance makes it easier to apply to multiple events.
Common requirements include:
- A completed film: usually supplied as a digital screener or online viewing link
- A synopsis: a concise description of the story or subject
- A director’s statement: an explanation of your creative approach or inspiration, if requested
- Production details and credits: information about the director, producer, cast, crew, runtime, country of production, and completion date
- A filmmaker biography: a brief introduction to your background and previous work
- Stills and promotional materials: high-quality images, a poster, or other artwork
- A trailer: required by some festivals, but not all
Check each festival’s specifications, as requirements vary. Make sure your screener works, the password is correct, and the link remains accessible throughout the judging period.
A platform such as FilmFreeway can simplify the process. You can create a project profile, browse participating festivals, upload your materials, and submit applications through the site.
Some festivals accept entries directly through their own websites, so check the official submission page if your chosen event isn’t listed on FilmFreeway.
How much does it cost to submit to film festivals?
Submission fees vary considerably. Some festivals offer free entry, while others charge fees that depend on the film’s length, category, or submission deadline.
Submission fees for Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) – arguably Australia’s most coveted film festival, with its cash prizes and internationally recognised accreditation opportunities – range from roughly AU$57 to AU$115 for a short film, and roughly AU$86 to AU$143 for an Australian feature film. Check the MIFF website for up-to-date pricing.
Acclaimed overseas film festivals generally have higher entry fees. Entry fees for Berlinale, for example, start at €75 (roughly AU$121) for short films and €175 (AU$282) for feature films. Check the Berlinale website for up-to-date pricing.
Many festivals offer early bird pricing, followed by regular and late-entry deadlines with progressively higher fees. International submissions may also involve currency conversion or payment fees.
Set a submission budget before you start applying. Record each festival’s fee, deadline, and eligibility requirements, and keep confirmation emails for your records. Remember that a submission fee generally pays for your film to be considered, not guaranteed selection. Read the festival’s terms and conditions so you understand what you’re paying for.
How many film festivals should I submit to?
There’s no magic number. The right approach depends on your budget, your film’s eligibility, and what you hope to achieve.
Rather than submitting indiscriminately, build a shortlist that combines festivals well suited to your film with a few more ambitious opportunities. Prioritise events whose audiences, programming, and industry connections align with your goals.
A spreadsheet can help you track festival names, deadlines, fees, premiere requirements, submission dates, and notification periods. It will also help you avoid paying to enter festivals for which your film doesn’t qualify.
Before you submit, check that you’ve selected the correct category, supplied all required information, and paid the relevant fee. Keep a record of your application and note when the festival expects to notify filmmakers.
Selection timelines vary, and some festivals notify applicants months before the event.
If your film isn’t selected, don’t take it as a definitive judgement on its quality. Festivals receive more submissions than they can screen, and programming decisions depend on a range of factors.
You can continue applying elsewhere, provided your film remains eligible and any premiere requirements are met. If your film is accepted, read the festival’s terms before confirming your participation.
Getting selected is exciting, but it’s worth thinking about the practicalities before accepting an invitation.
Will you or someone from your team need to attend? Consider travel, accommodation, meals, local transport, and time off work, particularly if the festival is interstate or overseas.
Ask organisers what support, if any, is available for selected filmmakers. Don’t assume travel and accommodation will be covered, even if your film is competing for an award.
Clarify screening arrangements, promotional obligations, delivery formats, and any fees or permissions associated with participation. Find out whether the festival offers filmmaker talks, networking events, or industry sessions that could make attending especially valuable.
If you can’t afford to attend in person, ask whether remote participation is possible or whether a cast or crew member can represent the project.
Finally, make the most of the selection. Share the news with your collaborators, update your portfolio, and include the festival credit in your professional materials when appropriate.
Submitting to film festivals takes research, preparation, and a realistic budget. You don’t need to target every festival at once; focus on events that suit your film and understand what each application requires.
With a clear submission plan and your materials ready to go, you can start getting your film in front of audiences and industry professionals who may help shape your next career move.
