The Multicultural Mental Health Film Festival (MMHFF) invites bold, honest short films that explore mental health, identity, and culture. The festival seeks stories that address themes such as anxiety, trauma, migration, language, faith, community, gender, and racism, and celebrates queer, disabled, and neurodivergent perspectives.

Filmmakers from all cultural backgrounds — including Chinese, Indian, Indigenous Australian, and more — are encouraged to submit work that speaks truthfully to lived experience. MMHFF values authenticity over palatability, championing films that are humorous, confronting, offbeat, or quietly powerful.

The 2025 edition of the festival was held on 30–31 October 2025 at ACMI – Australia’s museum of screen culture. Details for the 2026 edition will be announced next year, with updated dates, categories, and guidelines to follow.

The festival opened with Crew Night, a networking evening for filmmakers and industry guests, before moving into Day 1: New Voices in Australian Cinema — a showcase of Australian short films followed by a lively Q&A moderated by SBS’s Mojdeh Kashani. Day 2: International Selections & Awards featured powerful short films from Palestine, France, the UK, and beyond, culminating in the official MMHFF Awards Ceremony.

Across both nights, 170 attendees joined lively, engaged audiences that filled ACMI’s spaces with conversation and connection.

Each day also featured a quiet room staffed by a clinician from Mental Health Foundation Australia, a media wall for photos, and an MHFA booth providing mental health resources and support.

Awards & Prizes

All selected films received:
• An Official Selection Laurel
• Promotion across Mental Health Foundation Australia platforms
(Filmmakers were asked to provide social media handles so their work could be spotlighted.)
• Complimentary access to both Day 1 and Day 2 of the festival
• Selected Australian filmmakers were invited to participate in a Q&A panel following the Day 1 screening at ACMI, offering an opportunity to discuss their film and connect with the audience
• An opt-in, non-commercial, non-exclusive community broadcast and streaming opportunity through Channel 31 Melbourne and CTV+ On Demand, extending each film’s reach beyond the festival

Winners of each category received:
• A handcrafted, engraved trophy designed by sculptor Rhys Purton
• An official commemorative certificate recognising the recipient as a champion of multicultural mental health cinema

Rules & Terms

Please note: the following guidelines reflect the 2025 edition of the festival. Updates and revisions will be made ahead of the 2026 edition, with any changes clearly communicated to filmmakers prior to submission and selection.

1. Festival Screening

As of September 2025, ACMI has been confirmed as the official venue for the 2025 Multicultural Mental Health Film Festival. Please note that the following screening requirements have been updated and are now mandatory. These requirements supersede and replace all previous submission conditions communicated before this date.

Screenings will take place on 30 & 31 October 2025 at ACMI, Melbourne.

Screening File (Required)

Deadline: 14 October 2025 (AEST)
Please reply to your selection email — CC Festival Producer Ramin (ramin.iranfar@mhfa.org.au) — with your file or a secure download link.

Accepted: Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer, SwissTransfer (expiry ≥ 30 days)
Not accepted: View-only streaming links

Specs by Program:
• Day 1 – Australian Shorts (Thu 30 Oct, ACMI Cinema 2): Apple ProRes (.mov) OR MP4 (1080p+).
ACMI will create the DCP from your file.

• Day 2 – International Shorts (Fri 31 Oct, ACMI Gandel Lab): Day 2 – International Shorts (Fri 31 Oct, ACMI Gandel Lab):
• ProRes 422HQ or H.264 (minimum 10 Mbps)
• Resolution: 1920×1080
• Framerate: 24fps
• Audio: Stereo

Non-English language films must have subtitles that are burnt-in.

File naming convention:
• FilmTitle_DirectorLastName_DAY1
• FilmTitle_DirectorLastName_DAY2

Important: Files not received by 14 October 2025 may affect your film’s ability to be screened. This deadline ensures time for testing and quality checks. Late delivery may result in technical issues or removal from the screening schedule.

2. Submission Limit: Each filmmaker is limited to submitting one film only.

3. Runtime: Maximum film length is 15 minutes, including credits.

4. Language Requirements: Non-English dialogue must include accurate English subtitles. If your film is submitted without the required subtitles, the festival will contact you to request an updated version. If a subtitled version is not provided by a deadline set by the festival, your film may unfortunately be ineligible for screening.

5. Production Date & Eligibility: Films must be produced after 2012. MMHFF does not require premiere status and welcomes work from all levels of experience, especially community storytellers and underrepresented voices. If your film fits our themes, we want to see it.

6. Submissions by Minors: A parent or legal guardian must submit entries from filmmakers under 18.

7. Cultural Background, Themes & Sensitive Content: Upon submission, filmmakers must provide a short description of the film’s cultural or linguistic background and the mental health themes it explores. If your film includes sensitive content (e.g. trauma, violence, grief, or other emotionally intense material), please note this as well. This helps us program respectfully, engage with your work thoughtfully, and support the well-being of our audiences.

8. Submission Deadline: All submissions must be received by Sunday, 30 August 2025. Late entries will not be considered.

9. Rights & Ownership: Filmmakers must own or have clearance for all content, including music, visuals, and footage.

10. Copyright Compliance: Films that violate copyright or intellectual property (IP) law will be disqualified.

11. AI-Generated Content: Films created using AI tools (e.g., SORA, Veo, Runway) will not be accepted and will be subsequently disqualified.

12. Use of Images & Recordings: Unless otherwise notified, photographs and recordings of you (or your child) may be used for festival promotion. Minors will be referred to by first name only or not at all.

13. Promotional Materials: Selected filmmakers may be asked to provide promotional assets such as posters, stills, and press kits. MMHFF and its venue partner may use excerpts from films in trailers and promotional content. If you prefer not to have your film or image used for promotion, you can opt out by email after selection. Don't worry, opting out won't affect your festival status.

14. Submission Fees: Submission fees are non-refundable. We maintain low fees to enhance accessibility for filmmakers. Our goal is to keep submission costs manageable while providing a high-quality festival experience.

15. Time Zone Awareness: The festival operates on Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST). Please plan accordingly.

16. Student Submissions: Student entrants must upload a valid student ID to their FilmFreeway profile. The festival may request documentation. Failure to provide proof may result in disqualification or a fee adjustment. This policy helps ensure genuine student filmmakers can access discounted rates and receive fair consideration.

17. Code of conduct. All participants, guests, and attendees are expected to respect the festival’s inclusive and professional environment.

18. Acceptance of Terms and Conditions: By submitting, all entrants acknowledge they have read and agreed to the festival’s rules and guidelines. The Multicultural Mental Health Film Festival reserves the right to make final decisions regarding programming, awards, scheduling, and all festival matters. The Multicultural Mental Health Film Festival is dedicated to creating an inclusive and respectful environment. We reserve the right to decline entries that conflict with the festival’s values of diversity, cultural sensitivity, and mental health awareness. You may receive occasional updates about your submission, screenings, or festival news, but we will never send spam. Your personal information will remain private and secure.

Need assistance? Reach out to the MMHFF team:

Matthew Keisoglu (Festival Director)

For anything related to the festival’s themes, submissions, prizes, programming, eligibility, or general inquiries, please e-mail: matthew.keisoglu@mhfa.org.au

Ramin Iranfar (Festival Producer)

For technical support, including DCP delivery, file formats, uploads, or troubleshooting submission materials, please e-mail: ramin.iranfar@mhfa.org.au

If you’re unsure who to contact, please feel free to email either of us—we're happy to help.

16 Reviews
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  • Marianne Surzur

    I am honored that my film was screened at the Multicultural Mental Health Film Festival. Many thanks to the excellent organizing team for this wonderful opportunity to share my work with an audience engaged in mental health. I regret not being able to attend the event and see the other films on this important subject.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much, Marianne — it was an honour to screen Headache at this year’s Multicultural Mental Health Film Festival.

    Our audience absolutely loved your film — they found it deeply engaging, funny, and immediately understood what it was exploring from the very first moment. It sparked a genuine response in the room and was a fantastic addition to our program. Hopefully, one day we will have you at our festival in person. We’re very grateful to have shared your brilliant work with everyone in Melbourne.

  • Brendan Wan

    Thanks to the team at the Multicultural Mental Health Film Festival for screening our short film! It was so cool to attend an event filled with genuine positive energy and passion behind it. The team created an inspiring, inclusive atmosphere that celebrated diverse voices and encouraged open conversations about the intersectionality of mental health and multiculturalism. Having the festival at ACMI venue was stunning!! Everyone we met was warm, enthusiastic, and supportive, making the experience truly special. Congrats to everyone involved!!

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hey Brendan—thank you so much; that honestly means the world!!! It was such a joy having ASIAN MALE LEAD in this year’s lineup, and I’m happy you, Jeremy and the team were there in person. Jeremy's Q&A stuff was terrific.

    We put so much heart into making the festival feel warm, human, and genuinely connected, so hearing that it came across that way really hits home. And yeah, having it all come together at ACMI was just magic. Thank you for being part of it :)

  • Lara Deam

    Thank you to Matthew Keisoglu and the Mental Health Foundation Australia and everyone else behind the scenes of this fabulous and powerful film festival. This has to be one of the most incredible film festivals I have ever had the honour of being a part of. It's not only important in what it stands for but the respect that was given to the filmmakers who attended was outstanding. The second night of International films were exceptional and the actual awards given to the winners were utterly gorgeous. This film festival is not to be missed! Continue the beautiful work Matt and thank you for having our film a part of 2025 selections.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hey Lara,

    Wow, what you've just written up means the world. Thank you so much. We put everything we had into making this festival feel real, human, and filmmaker-focused, and hearing that it came across that way is really the best thing I could ask for as a festival director. Grateful.

    I'm very glad you were part of this year’s lineup, and glad I was able to hear about your film / your personal journey with your film.

  • Bronte Page

    It was an honour to screen my film Fading Colours at the 2025 Multicultural Mental Health Film Festival and to receive such a personal, heartfelt award. This festival truly embodies everything that filmmaking is about: Genuine passion for the art, forming connections, celebrating diversity, and creating a platform for people to share their stories.

    The festival coordinators are organised, down to earth, and approachable, really championing how filmmaker-forward festivals ought to be.

    I am so grateful have been a part of a festival that is highlighting the importance of empathy, connection, and conversation in filmmaking and I am very excited to see where they go next!

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hi Bronte,

    Thank you so much for your beautiful words. This really does mean so much to the team and me. Fading Colours was such a special film to end the Australian program with. We're thrilled it struck such a chord with our judges, with me, and with our audiences.

    Thank you once more for participating in this year’s festival and for sharing your story so genuinely :)

  • Dany Horiuchi

    What a wonderful festival with excellent communication! I’m truly honoured that my short film was included in such a fantastic event. Wishing the festival team all the very best for the future!

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hi Danny,

    Thanks heaps! That really means a lot. Bleeding was such a raw, honest, striking, and powerful film, and a necessary one to screen. We were so proud to have it in the program.

    Really appreciate your kind words, and best of luck with your future projects — hoping our paths cross again :)