SXSW SYDNEY
Our program spotlights original, bold storytelling and genre-defining content across feature films, shorts, music videos, and web shorts from around the world.
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ELIGIBILITY: GENERAL
• The primary contact completing the submission process must be authorised to submit the film for consideration. The includes permission from a distributor or sales agent representing the film and the applicant must have obtained necessary permissions for the inclusion of any copyrighted music and/or images used within the film. With this submission, the applicant confirms that they possess all rights necessary for the screening of the submitted film at SXSW SYDNEY.
• You may submit multiple projects, but each entry requires a separate submission through FilmFreeway.
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ELIGIBILITY: WORKS IN PROGRESS
• SXSW SYDNEY accepts rough cuts or work-in-progress submissions.
• If submitting a WIP please detail what elements of your submission are incomplete and when the project is expected to be completed.
• If your project will be completed before the submission deadline, we recommend waiting to submit the finished version closer to that date.
• The SXSW SYDNEY Programming Team will only be able to watch one version of your project.
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ELIGIBILITY: SHORT FILMS
• We welcome short films of all genres—narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental—embracing any/all production techniques and budget levels.
• Projects must have been completed after January 1, 2024.
• Projects should have a maximum runtime of 25 minutes, including credits.
• Projects should not have been publicly screened, broadcast, or distributed in New South Wales, Australia prior to SXSW Sydney 2025.
• Projects should not be available online for streaming (either free or via an on-demand service) in Australia prior to SXSW Sydney 2025.
• The premiere status of your project is an important factor in your submission. You will be asked to provide a premiere status in your application process. Please review the Premiere Status section below to ensure you select the correct position.
• SXSW Sydney accepts submissions via FilmFreeway only. Submissions sent via email will be redirected back to the SXSW SYDNEY FilmFreeway submission process.
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ELIGIBILITY: MUSIC VIDEOS
• Projects must have been completed after January 1, 2024.
• Projects must be created by OR created for an APAC musician/band.
• Projects must be the official music video for the song by that artist. The artist and/pr label must have approved its creation.
• There are no restrictions on the premiere status of the music video. It can have premiered online prior to the festival.
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ELIGIBILITY: TELEVISION/ WEB SERIES
• Content designed for presentation in a multi-episode format, encompassing television, web shorts, docuseries and anthologies. There is no restriction on length.
• Projects must have been completed after January 1, 2024.
• Projects should not have been publicly screened, broadcast, or distributed in New South Wales, Australia prior to SXSW Sydney 2025.
• Projects should not be available online for streaming (either free or via an on-demand service) in Australia prior to SXSW Sydney 2025.
• The premiere status of your project is an important factor in your submission. You will be asked to provide a premiere status in your application process. Please review the Premiere Status section below to ensure you select the correct position.
• SXSW Sydney accepts submissions via FilmFreeway only. Submissions sent via email will be redirected back to the SXSW SYDNEY FilmFreeway submission process.
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ELIGIBILITY: FEATURE FILMS
• We welcome feature films of all genres—narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental—embracing any/all production techniques and budget levels.
• Projects must have been completed after January 1, 2024.
• Projects should have a minimum runtime of 40 minutes, including credits.
• Projects should not have been publicly screened, broadcast, or distributed in New South Wales, Australia prior to SXSW Sydney 2025.
• Projects should not be available online for streaming (either free or via an on-demand service) in Australia prior to SXSW Sydney 2025.
• The premiere status of your project is an important factor in your submission. You will be asked to provide a premiere status in your application process. Please review the Premiere Status section below to ensure you select the correct position.
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SUBMISSION TIMELINES & KEY DATES
• Screen Festival submissions open: 11.11.25
• Screen Festival submissions close: 01.05.25
• Submission notification deadline: 01.09.25
• Screen Festival content due: 15.09.25
• SXSW Sydney 2025: 13.10.25 – 19.10.25
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COMMUNICATION
• During the submission process all communication will be made with the applicant via FilmFreeway.
• Successful projects will be informed via email by a member of the SXSW SYDNEY Screen Team.
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PUBLICITY & MARKETING
• By submitting a film/project, you grant SXSW SYDNEY permission to use provided publicity stills and up to 1 minute of footage from accepted projects in all SXSW SYDNEY marketing and publicity materials.
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SELECTION PROCESS
• Each submission will be reviewed by at least two members of the SXSW SYDNEY Programming Team.
• All programming selections are at the discretion of the SXSW SYDNEY Programming Team. Each film/project is carefully reviewed, considered, and curated.
• Due to the high volume of submissions, we receive, we are unable to provide personalised feedback for each film/project.
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SUBMISSION FEES
• A submission fee is required to enter your film/project. All submissions are final, and fees are non-refundable.
• If you are facing financial hardship, please email the SXSW SYDNEY team at: screenfest@sxswsydney.com
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PREMIERE STATUS
Within your application, please select your project’s premiere status in accordance with the eligibility section. A guide to premiere definitions can be found below:
WORLD PREMIERE
• Your project has not screened theatrically at a film festival or ticketed public theatrical exhibition in any country prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has not been broadcast on television or streamed (either free or via an on demand service) in any country prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has not been released via any home video or public distribution system (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc) in any country prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
• Your project has not screened theatrically at a film festival or ticketed public theatrical exhibition outside its country or countries of origin prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has not been broadcast on television or streamed (either free or via an on demand service) outside its country or countries of origin prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has not been released via any home video or public distribution system (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) outside its country or countries of origin prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE
• Your project has not screened theatrically at a film festival or ticketed public theatrical exhibition in Australia prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has not been broadcast on television or streamed (either free or via an on demand service) in Australia prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has not been released via any home video or public distribution system (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in Australia prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
NSW PREMIERE
• Your project has not screened theatrically at a film festival or ticketed public theatrical exhibition in NSW prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has not been broadcast on television or streamed (either free or via an on demand service) in NSW prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has not been released via any home video or public distribution system (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in NSW prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
NOT A PREMIERE
• Your project has screened theatrically in a film festival and/or a public theatrical exhibition prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has been broadcast on television or streamed prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
• Your project has been released via home video or public distribution prior to SXSW Sydney 2024.
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CONTACT
• If your question remains unanswered please don’t hesitate to reach out to the SXSW SYDNEY Screen Team at: screenfest@sxswsydney.com
