A. GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS NISFF
The Noosa International Surfilm Festival (NISFF) invites bold, high-quality surf and ocean-based films from filmmakers around the world.
We welcome narrative films, documentaries, shorts, features, animations and experimental works that explore surf culture, ocean environments, coastal communities, marine conservation, ocean adventure and related themes.
Films should demonstrate strong storytelling, cinematic craft and a clear connection to surf and/or ocean subject matter. We embrace fresh creative approaches, emerging voices and distinctive artistic styles — from beautifully shot classics to boundary-pushing, genre-defying works.
NISFF presents a curated program. Selection is competitive and based on artistic merit, originality, production quality and thematic relevance. We prioritise premieres and give preference to World, International, Australian and Queensland Premieres.
If your film carries authenticity, creativity and a genuine connection to the sea — we encourage you to submit.
Submissions must be recent works, completed after July 1st, 2023.
FILM LENGTH CATEGORIES
Short films: not exceeding 20 minutes in length.
Mid - Length Films: 20 - 45 minutes
Feature Films: 45 minutes and over.
Selected filmmakers are required to provide a high-resolution format, DCP Format preferred, of their film by 15th May 2026, for official screening.
PREMIERE/DISTRIBUTION
The Noosa International Surfilm Festival celebrates the best new and recent surf and ocean releases and places strong value on premiere status.
Films selected for the 2026 program are expected to maintain their Australian screening exclusivity until their presentation at NISFF. Upon official selection notification (by 12 June 2026), selected films must not be publicly screened elsewhere in Australia or made available online prior to their festival screening.
This policy preserves the integrity, impact and premiere experience for filmmakers and audiences alike.
B. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Judging and Awards: Films will be judged in various categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Mid-Length Film, Best Short Film and Best Cinematography Awards.
2. Copyright and Authorisation: The submitter affirms they possess the necessary rights and authorisations for the film, free from disputes or litigations concerning production, distribution, or originality.
3. Copyright Liability: The submitter assumes all copyright liabilities related to the film, including music, art, architecture, product placements, and other intellectual properties.
4. Liability: The festival is absolved from any damage to submitted materials during the festival's tenure.
5. Acceptance Criteria: Submitting your film does not guarantee acceptance into Noosa International Surfilm Festival. Those filmmakers whose productions have been selected for screening as part of the main festival programme will be informed during the week beginning June 12th, 2026. The Noosa International Surfilm Festival is not responsible or liable for losses or damages resulting from failure to screen entries accepted into the festival programme or from the failure of the Noosa International Surfilm Festival to accept a film.
6. Screening Rights: The submitter grants the festival permission to screen the film during the festival period.
7. Premiere Policy: A selected Premiere film must not have been shown anywhere else in Australia or online prior to the Noosa International Surfilm Festival screening. By screening a film as a premiere it allows the Noosa International Surfilm Festival to gain as much publicity as possible for a work through media partners and mainstream press.
7A. Screening Policy: A selected film, premiere or not, can not be open to viewing on YouTube or other free to watch online platform between 01 March 2026 and 16th August 2026.
8. Promotional Use: The festival is granted permission to utilise film excerpts (up to 3 minutes) and promotional materials (stills, titles, copy) for festival promotion. Submitters are encouraged to provide digital press kits for enhanced promotion.
9. Media Partnership: Consent is given for the festival to share the film and promotional materials with media partners for festival promotion, with the option to specify otherwise.
10. Publicity Participation: Winners are expected to participate in publicity efforts, providing a comprehensive press kit to facilitate promotion. The press kit is to include a minimum of :
• 1 x synopsis, including featured surfers and contributors
• 2 x still images - minimum size 1920 x 1080
• 1 x poster / film artwork
• 1 x hi-res downloadable trailer
11. Language Requirements: Non-English films must include clearly legible English subtitles or dubbing.
12. Complimentary Tickets: Filmmakers of selected films will receive two complimentary tickets for their screening night.
