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.

Awards & Prizes

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

Rules & Terms

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.
57 Reviews
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  • Olivia N'Ganga

    We had the chance to participate in the Melbourne Independante Film Festival 2024 and we won the Best Film Award
    female. We recommend this festival which highlights committed, independent films from around the world. If you are a committed filmmaker, I invite you to participate in this wonderful festival. I wish the Melbourne Independante Film Festival a long life.

    November 2024
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  • Joe Chang

    Thank you very much to Melbourne Independent Film festival! I am honored that my animation "The Skytrain" was selected for semi-finalist. Thank you very much to the organizers and friends of the film festival!

    October 2024
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  • Roma None

    I am very grateful to the Melbourne Independent Film Festival for selecting Kisses without goodbye as a Semi-Finalist in your festival. It means so much that this story has received recognition so thank you to the jury for this honour.

    October 2024
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  • George John Kingsnorth

    We are delighted GvH was a semi-finalist at the Melbourne Independent Film Festival. A great film festival.

    September 2024
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  • Nathan Post

    I am honored to be selected as a Semi-Finalist in the Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival for my screenplay, “The Monster's Son.” This festival has been around longer than most, since 1999, and is known for its support for local talent. It is also a fundraiser for good causes. It is a good place for filmmakers to showcase their talent while supporting the filmmaker community. I will enter this festival in the future.

    September 2024
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