Melbourne City Independent Film Awards (MCIFA) is Melbourne's first ever monthly online film competition for filmmakers worldwide, with an annual event and awards ceremony in the heart of Melbourne.

Our mission is to promote and celebrate independent films and filmmakers from across the globe. We are filmmakers and TV and Film industry professionals so our aim is to recognise and celebrate the filmmaker's endeavours to bring their vision to the screen. We take film-making seriously which is why we have not added any cash grab additional categories such as "Best Onscreen Kiss" or "Best hair and makeup on a dog". We have chosen 15 awards that we feel best represents the cross-section of the indie film world.

We are after creative, inspirational and imaginative films that showcase the spirit of the independent film making process.

We understand that film making is a costly process which is why we consider all entries as competing in each category.

Each month, our Jury will award the best films through private screenings, and make a special interview with the winner of the Best Film of the Month award.

We will hold the annual award ceremony on October 14th 2018 where we will play the Best Short film as the winner for 2018. We will also be awarding the Best of the year for 1 Feature Film.

On October 14th 2018 we will screen the Best Short, at the prestigious LIDO cinemas in Hawthorne, Victoria. International Winners who cannot be at the screening / awards ceremony are encouraged to create a 1-3 minute video acceptance speech and intro to their film being shown.(Filmmakers in Melbourne or filmmakers that have travelled for the event can make live speeches)

Awards & Prizes

Categories

Best Picture (Film of the Month)

Best Narrative Feature (Any genre)
Best Narrative Short (Any genre)
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Original Score
Best Sound Design
Best Visual Effects
Best Screenplay Feature
Best Screenplay Short

All Official selections will receive an official MCIFA Laurel to help promote their film on social media.

Winners will receive an official jpg / pdf Certificate that is ready to print and proudly display.

Each month a Best Picture is selected and is in the running to win the grand prize at our annual "Best of Fest Screening" in the heart of Melbourne in late 2018

Rules & Terms

What we’re looking for?
Story-based films in the form of narrative (fiction)
​
A Short Film is considered 30 minutes or less (including credits)
A Feature film is considered 60 minutes or more

By submitting your film, take note that:
- You agree to use parts of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster/stills) for promotional purpose.
- Entry fees are non-refundable.
- Multiple entries are allowed for each filmmaker and each entry may be considered in multiple categories.
- The films will not be available online.

We do not accept:
1. Amateur videos
2. Extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organizations
3. Films involving politics / films promoting political agenda
4. Films with a poor production standard (bad sound, lack of subtitles/captions for non-English films, video resolution less than 720p HD)

Requirement.
1. Upload an official poster
2. Synopsis
3. Vimeo/ Youtube link or upload your film to FilmFreeway submission page.

We do not accept DVD, Blue Ray or DCP files. We accept all genre in any language, from around the world. Please select the right category while submitting to avoid disqualification.

Melbourne City Independent Film Award is hereby granted the rights to utilise an excerpt from any film submitted for promotional purposes of the festival. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorised to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements, rules and regulations.
The Competition reserves the right to refuse entries.

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Melbourne City Independent Film Awards, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

By submitting your film to the Melbourne City Independent Film Award the individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorised to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements, rules and regulations.
10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sadie Duarte

    It was great to be a winner with my movie DMUS a few months ago. Pleased and honoured! I'll submit again soon! Thank you so much!

    October 2018
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  • Solo Voci - Produzione Indipendente

    The experience lived with this film festival was extremely pleasant. A continuous surprise. Thank you for the two prizes and for the nomination. The cost of single entry, without absurd divisions in categories created specifically to make money, is a valuable element, the free space reserved for the winners' interviews is rare and exceptional. I recommend improving the updates and the structure of the website.

    October 2018
    Helpful
  • Tatiana Shanks

    Wonderful Festival. Great communication. We are very honored to be a winner at your festival. Thank you. Much continued success.

    October 2018
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  • Michael Boston

    One of the best fests around! How cool is it to have your worked judged out of the liberal arts community found in Melbourne?! This newer festival has integrity, heart and wants to see filmmakers succeed. Communication was off-the-charts excellent. Value and quality go hand in hand. MCIFA uses original graphics... and they are very cool to look at and the entry fees are appreciatively low. And even if you're unable to attend at the annual event, they'll make you feel as if you were, allowing us to tape an acceptance video was so thoughtful on their behalf. Watch MCIFA grow, grow, grow under the direction of festival director Johnny Balazs, a filmmaker himself!!!!

    October 2018
    Helpful
  • Sage Drake

    Such a wonderful film festival. Very supportive and encouraging with filmmakers. I plan to send more of my work to this festival.

    Thank you!

    October 2018
    Helpful