The MFF is run by the State of Victoria (the State), acting by and through the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) in association with Swinburne University of Technology (Swinburne University). The MFF includes film submission and judging, the announcement of the Official Selection, award-winning films and those receiving an honourable mention, and the screening or broadcasting of films by organisations approved by the VMC.
Please read these Terms carefully. If you have any questions, please contact the VMC at awards@vmc.vic.gov.au.
If you have technical questions or difficulties submitting your film, please get in touch with Swinburne University at adionysus@swin.edu.au
By submitting a film to the MFF, you accept these Terms.
Closing date
1. Films must be submitted by 10 March 2025 11:59pm AEST. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Age and parental consent
2. Films from children under 18 must be submitted by a parent, guardian or their school.
Eligibility
3. Entry is open to Victorians, Australians and people overseas.
4. Filmmakers may not enter using false information.
5. The VMC may, at its sole discretion, disqualify a film from the MFF if:
a. for any reason, the film does not comply with these Terms;
b. the VMC has reason to believe that the filmmaker has breached any of the Terms or been engaged in any unlawful or other improper misconduct calculated to jeopardise the fair and proper conduct of the MFF; or
c. the VMC considers a film inappropriate, defamatory, discriminatory, offensive, or otherwise not in compliance with these Terms.
6. Films must be in the format and length outlined in the above FAQs.
7. Filmmakers may submit a maximum of two films as long as they are significantly different from each other.
Biography and photo
8. Entrants acknowledge that their biography and photo will be used to support their entry. It may be read at the MFF and used in public promotional activity by the VMC and Swinburne University.
Consent
9. By submitting a film to the MFF, the entrant acknowledges that all subjects appearing in the film have consented to their appearance in the film and to the VMC, the Victorian State Government (the State) and Swinburne University’s use of the film in promotional activities. This may include use across VMC and State channels, including events, websites, YouTube, social media, and VMC’s online platforms. It may also be used by Swinburne University, including on the Zooming In website and other promotions, as well as by SBS, SBS OnDemand, and partner venues.
10. The VMC, the State, and Swinburne University are not responsible for obtaining consent from subjects in any film in the MFF and will not accept responsibility for consequences arising from the entrant's failure to obtain such permission.
Restrictions
11. Films must be nonpartisan, nonpolitical, free from obscene or defamatory content, speech, or imagery, and suitable for an audience aged less than 18.
12. Films are recommended to comply with a PG or G classification.
Originality and copyright
13. Films must be the original work of the filmmaker; however, this does not exclude people who receive mentorship or training through a film training program or university course.
14. The filmmaker is responsible for ensuring they have permission to reproduce any third-party materials in their film.
15. Filmmakers must not breach the copyright of any other filmmaker or organisation in the production of their film and must accept all responsibility for the content of their film.
16. The VMC, the State, Swinburne University, SBS OnDemand, Federation Square, and no other organisations are responsible for any infringement or breach of copyright licensing of third parties by the filmmaker in the production of their film.
Entries in other competitions
17. The VMC welcomes films that have been entered into other competitions, as long as no logos or branding marks are included in the film and no copyright or licensing agreements are breached.
18. Judging of films
The judging panel will evaluate films based on the following criteria. These criteria ensure a balanced assessment of both the artistic and technical elements of each film.
a) Expressive and Creative Thinking: Demonstrates a creative and perceptive understanding of the project, contributing to its overall impact.
b) Creative Vision: Clear evidence of a cohesive and compelling vision guiding the project.
c) Evidence of Theme: A skillful and perceptive contribution to the theme, effectively conveying its message.
d) Technical Elements: High-quality technical execution that enhances the coherence and effectiveness of the project.
e) Originality and Creativity: Innovative and original ideas that distinguish the film from others.
f) Multicultural Content: Representation and integration of diverse cultures in a meaningful and engaging way.
g) Direction: Strong and effective leadership, showcasing an artistic and cohesive approach to storytelling.
h) Writing: Skillful scriptwriting that demonstrates depth, structure, and originality.
i) Performances: Authentic and engaging performances that bring characters and the story to life.
j) Production Value: Overall quality of the production, including cinematography, design, and attention to detail.
k) Pacing: A well-structured and engaging rhythm that keeps the audience connected to the story.
l) Sound and Music: Effective use of sound design and music to enhance the film’s atmosphere and emotional impact.
19. The number of Official Selection films and awards presented is at the sole discretion of the MFF.
20. The judges' decision and the awarding of prizes are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
Notification and Announcement of Winners
21. The filmmakers of the Official Selection will be notified of the MFF's Premiere Screening at least one week beforehand.
22. The MFF Official Selection filmmakers, Award-winners, and Honourable Mention recipients will be announced at the MFF's Premiere Screening in June 2025.
Use of films (licence and intellectual property)
The VMC and Swinburne University like to ensure that MFF films have as broad a reach as possible and to give the film and the talents of its cast and crew the screen time they deserve. The VMC will invite organisations and broadcasters to screen Official Selection films, individually or, should they also be award-winning films, as part of the reel shown at the Premiere Screening.
23. The entrant owns the intellectual property in their film.
24. The entrant (or parent/guardian) grants to the VMC, the State and Swinburne University a 3-year non-exclusive licence to, for all films entered in the competition but primarily those in the Official Selection:
a) screen and use films across its channels, including but not limited to events and other promotional platforms;
b) utilise a portion of the film for promotional purposes;
c) screen films at MFF events organised by VMC or Swinburne University
d) display films on Swinburne University’s Zooming In website
e) share films with Victorian and Australian government and non-profit organisations for those organisations screening the film:
a. at in-person, virtual, online, streamed or hybrid events for their staff and the public
b. online and via a televised broadcast (for example, by SBS or Channel 31)
25. A non-exclusive licence means an entrant can screen their film themselves and permit others to screen it.
26. Entrants will always be attributed as the author of their Entry when their film is used or screened.
27. The VMC, the State, and Swinburne University will notify the entrant about using their films wherever possible.
28. Entrants may, temporarily or permanently, revoke the licences granted under these conditions at any time by emailing awards@vmc.vic.gov.au
29. Neither entrants, their parent(s)/guardian(s), teachers and schools, nor any other person will be reimbursed or compensated for any use of the Film, now or in the future.
Publicity
30. As a condition of entry, filmmakers consent to:
a) having their name announced publicly during the MFF through VMC, the State and Swinburne University communications, which may include media, social media and websites;
b) if they are part of the Official Selection, having their entries promoted by the VMC, the State and Swinburne University following the 2025 MFF and in the lead-up to the 2026 MFF.
31. If the filmmaker promotes their film being in the MFF themselves, they should acknowledge the MFF.
Cancellation
32. The VMC and the State reserve the right to cancel or change the MFF without conferring with filmmakers.
33. If the MFF is interfered with or is incapable of being held for reasons beyond the State’s control, the State reserves the right and discretion to modify, postpone, suspend or cancel the MFF.
34. The State reserves the right to extend, cancel or amend the process for the MFF, including these Terms, in its absolute discretion at any time.
Liability
35. The VMC, the State, and Swinburne University are not liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered by any filmmaker, including, but not limited to, indirect or consequential loss or for personal injury suffered or sustained during preparing the film, entering MFF, or acceptance of a prize or award, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law.
36. The VMC, the State, and Swinburne University are not responsible for covering any costs associated with the entrant entering the MFF, receiving a prize or travelling to the MFF.
Privacy and Collection Notice
37. The VMC, the State and Swinburne University collect the information that filmmakers and their parents, guardians, or schools provide in their MFF submission. This may include information about the filmmaker's cultural (racial or ethnic) background (which may be defined as ‘sensitive information’ under the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014).
38. The information is used to assess films, contact filmmakers, administer any licences granted under these conditions and promote the MFF. The VMC will refer this information to Swinburne University and possibly other government departments, and submitting an entry is your consent. You can request access to, corrections of and withdrawal of any information provided in your submission by emailing awards@vmc.vic.gov.au
39. The information you provide in your entry will be held by the VMC, the State and Swinburne University and managed per the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 and the Public Records Act 1973. For more information on the VMC's handling of personal information, please refer to our privacy page.
40. The VMC, the State and Swinburne University may disclose this information to third parties relevant to the conduct of the MFF, including but not limited to judges, sponsors, and prize and certificate suppliers.
Photographing, Filming and Recording of filmmakers at MFF events – Privacy and Collection Notice
41. This notice applies to photographs, videos, or recordings of filmmakers (including those under the age of 18) collected, used, or disclosed by the VMC, the State, and Swinburne University as part of MFF in-person and online events.
Privacy
42. Photographs, video and recordings of a person that may identify the person may constitute a collection of ‘personal information’ under Victorian privacy law. This means that any images of you and your child taken during the MFF may constitute a collection of your and your child’s personal information.
This personal information will be held by the VMC, the State and Swinburne University and managed in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 and the Public Records Act 1973. For more information on the VMC's handling of personal information, please refer to the VMC’s privacy page.
Ownership and Reproduction
43. Copyright in the images will be wholly owned by the VMC. This means that the VMC may use the images in the ways described in this notice without notifying, acknowledging or compensating you or your child.
Unless you tell us otherwise via the email below, photographs, videos or recordings of you and your child may be used by the VMC, the State and Swinburne University in formats that are accessible to the public, including social media channels (Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn), websites and any other publications promoting the MFF. Children under the age of 18 will be identified by first name only (or not named at all).
44. The VMC the State and Swinburne University understand that individuals, parents and guardians have the right to withdraw permission for us to use photographs, video or recordings of themselves and/or their child.
45. If you have read this notice and are comfortable with the VMC using photos, video or recordings as described above, you do not need to take any further action.
46. If you do not want images of you and/or your child to be collected or used by the VMC, the State or Swinburne University, please email the VMC at contact@vmc.vic.gov.au
47. If you do not understand these Terms or would like to talk about any concerns, please email the VMC at contact@vmc.vic.gov.au