The Melbourne Independent Film Festival connects global filmmakers with audiences in a diverse, culturally vibrant community by presenting films in its virtual competition and promoting the winners and honorable mentions of each edition in Australia and abroad.

The committee seeks films that engage, entertain, experiment and educate through the power of visual storytelling. Independent film projects of all genres from international talents go through our programming team and the official selections compete in various sections of the competition.

As an emerging international festival, the Melbourne Independent Film Festival aims to be one of the leading film festivals for international film-makers, screenwriters and talents who are dedicated to the cinematic language. It is a unique and innovative online platform for new talent and a celebration of cinematic creativity and innovation.

Categories

Short Fiction
Short Animation
Short Documentary
Best Feature Film
Best Student Film
Best Director
Best Woman Filmmaker
Best Man Filmmaker
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Cinematography
Best Original Screenplay
Best Film Editing
Best Sound
Music Score
Best Film on Women’s issue
Best Virtual Reality / 360º Film
Best Trailer / Teaser

Regulations:

Short film entries must be under 40 minutes in length. Running time is calculated by timing the head frame to the last frame on the end credits.

The appropriate entry fee must accompany each entry. This nonrefundable fee covers screening and handling costs and will not be returned.

The film or video must have been completed after January 1, 2020.

Films or videos using uncredited, non-licensed, copyrighted musical or literary properties without legal permission and appropriate attribution credits are not eligible.

The competition is open to professional and nonprofessional filmmakers.

This is an online film Festival, and there will be no physical screening

Entries must be submitted in the completed form in which they will be judged.

The festival reserves the right to change the date of the event without having the approval of the submitters

The decisions of the Jury are final. The Jury reserves the right not to select a winner in any given category. The Jury reserves the right to change a category to the benefit of the film.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Thanks to your Festival for rewarding me. Being selected is already a victory! So thank you for Under Tension which deals with domestic and family violence, and whose message is essential. Enjoy !

    February 2023
  • Tomoyoshi SUGIURA

    Thank you for selecting a semi-finalist.
    I will start to shoot from this May. If I finish editing in time, I will submit new film to your festival.

    February 2023
  • Thank you so much for hosting us! It was thrilling to be a part of Melbourne Independent Film Festival!

    January 2023
  • Brilliant festival, lots of great networking, and a wonderful team that really celebrates film. Very proud to have my work be part of the festival ... www.robertoserrini.com

    January 2023
  • Ken Sagoes

    We are honored and deeply appreciative that your festival selected our short film "The Secret Weapon: Yesterday IS Today" as a Semi-Finalist. The festival has outstanding communication and is well-run. May the festival keep giving filmmakers a stage that encourages imagination and self-expression.

    December 2022