★ ★ ★UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT★ ★ ★

We welcome you to the eighth annual Sanctuary Film Festival this December, 2022, a premier festival sponsored by Screen Queensland and held consecutively at Sanctuary Cove, on the Gold Coast, Australia. The event takes place over three days in the picturesque Sanctuary Cove precinct and boasts an exciting live screening night, roving entertainment, a unique children’s emerging filmmaker award category and live music. Film industry workshops, panels, industry networking and special events such as a charity golf tournament, an exclusive VIP opening and celebrity closing party also form part of the 2022 program.

Accepting films from around the world in a series of categories and genres, we are excited to present cash prizes to the winners thanks to our sponsors. Run by local Brisbane and Gold Coast film industry professionals, the festival was created to amplify the voices of independent and diverse filmmakers and showcase their art in a public domain. We aim to create an engaging, fun and interactive atmosphere for budding filmmakers, film buffs and families.

What we expect from you:
Have fun! We want to see your creativity shine through.
Be timely in getting back to us with files or documents we might need to show your film!
That’s it!

What you can expect from us:
All entries will be fairly judged by our panel of trusted judges with no bias or favoritism.
We will be upfront and timely in any and all updates regarding the festival.
If you are chosen to be shown at the festival screening night as one of our finalists you will receive five (5) tickets complimentary for you and your team. You will also receive a discount code for anyone else you would like to come to attend the event.
Sharing and helping support you and your work through our social media channels.
We want to help see you succeed, so anything we can do to help your process we will.

Want to know more? Get in touch with us on Instagram @Sactuaryfilmfest or flick us a quick email hello@sanctuaryfilmfest.com

We love acknowledging the hard work you have put into your films and want to show our gratitude with awarding the best films in different categories.

Here are a list of our main categories you can apply to:

BEST ALL ROUND SHORT FILM
(Must be also entered into one or more of the other short film categories)
- Trophy
- $1000 Cash Prize from our sponsors
- Gifts/ services/ products

BEST ALL ROUND FEATURE FILM
(Must be also entered into one or more of the other feature film categories)
-Trophy
- $1000 Cash Prize from our sponsors
- Gifts/ services/ products

BEST AUSTRALIAN SHORT FILM
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST FIRST NATIONS SHORT FILM
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST AUSTRALIAN FEATURE FILM
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST FIRST NATIONS FEATURE FILM
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST ANIMATED FILM
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST DRONE PRODUCTION
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST MUSIC VIDEO
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST PROOF OF CONCEPT
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST LGBTQI+ NARRATIVE (FEATURE/ SHORT/ DOCUMENTARY)
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST WEBSERIES (EPISODE)
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST JUNIOR FILMMAKER
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST SCREENPLAY
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

BEST COMMERCIAL
-Trophy (If attending)
-Laurel image
-Gifts/ services/ products

We will also be awarding the following which will be chosen by our panel of judges.
-Best Director
-Best Producer
-Best Actor - International
-Best Actor - Australian
-Best Actress - International
-Best Actress - Australian
-Best Stunt Artist

Here are our rules and terms to keep in mind before you apply to our film festival.
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT PLEASE READ THROUGH CAREFULLY

1. Entry Requirements:

1a. Must have been made within the past three (3) years. (We have done this to allow for any films that were not able to be shown due to Covid Restrictions)
1b. Must meet our guidelines as listed below

2. Ownership, screening and marketing:

2a. The individual or corporation submitting the film/script hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for possible screening (private and/or public) and understands and accepts these requirements, rules and regulations.
2b. By submitting your film/script, take note that: The Sanctuary Film Festival is hereby granted the rights to utilize an excerpt (trailer/teaser/poster/stills) from any film/script submitted for promotional purposes in perpetuity.
2c. The film/script will not be available online unless otherwise decided at the discretion of SIFF for the purpose of an online screening as a participation of the festival only.
2d. You/ your production company own all the rights to the film.

3. Entries and fees:

3a. Multiple entries are allowed for each film maker. We encourage you to apply for all categories you think your film fits into. Please do not apply for categories that your film does not align with. 3b.
3b. Entry fees are non-refundable
3c. You cannot withdraw your submission after the official selection announcement of each round.
3d. SIFF does not provide entry fee waivers and does not reply to fee waiver requests.
3e. Entry fees are set in $USD - The reason for this is that most communities are best able to calculate the price in their native currency from the US dollar.
3f. Submissions are accepted exclusively via FilmFreeway. Any other form of submission will not be accepted.

4. Upload submission requirement.

4a. Upload an official poster
4b. Synopsis
4c. Vimeo link or upload your film to FilmFreeway submission page.
4d. We do not accept DVD, Blu Ray or DCP files. We accept all genres in any language, from around the world. Please select the right category while submitting to avoid disqualification.
4e. International titles in non-English language must have English language subtitles.

5. Any winners not able to attend the festival in person will receive the digital winners laurel via the FilmFreeway laurel center. Award winners able to attend the festival in person will also receive an additional trophy. Trophies will be purchasable by those unable to attend should they want the additional physical award.

5a. Films may only download the laurel applicable to their award.

6. Sanctuary Film Festival reserves the right to refuse entry to the competition at any given time at the discretion of the festival. Likewise, the Jury reserves the right to remove a submitted film of any format from the competition at any time at the discretion of Sanctuary Film Festival should the film go against our guidelines.

7. Only some of the top scoring Short Films of the year will be selected by the Jury for the Screening Event we host at Sanctuary Cove.

8. SIFF will promote the event and screening sessions to the best of their capabilities through multiple channels however SIFF will not and cannot be held responsible for actual attendee numbers.

9. SIFF is entitled to make interpretations in any case not considered in these rules and regulations and may make exceptions whenever justified. SIFF will review unforeseen cases. Whenever a controversy arises from the interpretation of any of the articles in these rules and regulations, the ruling document shall be the original document in English.

10. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Sanctuary Film Festival, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss or damage of the screening videos entered.

11. In the event that the Festivals in-person events are canceled, restricted or rearranged due to COVID-19, any Government regulations or unforeseen circumstances the Organiser will award all prizes to winners either during a digital awards ceremony or otherwise. Submission fees will not be refunded in the case of restrictions to the Festival.

12. Sanctuary Film Festival has the right to add, alter, change, or delete any portion of the guidelines at any time without notice.

13. By submitting your film/script, you acknowledge you have read, understood and accepted all rules and regulations.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT: 1. Amateur videos. 2. Extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organizations. 3. Pornography. 4. Films with a poor production standard (bad sound, lack of subtitles/captions for non-English films, video resolution lower than 720p HD). 5. We don't accept excerpts/scenes from films: you must submit the entire film. 6. If we think the categories submitted are not to a standard of the Sanctuary Film Festival, they will be removed.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Hhere was no communication with the organizers and no networking, we received an honorable mention so thanks for choosing us❤️️

    January 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Hey Eva!

    Thanks so much to submitting to us last year and congratulations on your honourable mention. We apologise that the communication wasn't as good as it should have been and are pleased to inform you that this film festival is actually under new management! We are going to be running a much smoother ship for our festival later this year.

    Thanks again for getting in touch and leaving your review. If you have anymore questions, be sure to send us an email - hello@sanctuaryfilmfestival.com
    - Brooke - Festival Producer 2022 :)

  • Alexander Bruckner

    Thank you for having us :-)

    December 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks for coming Alex!
    - Brooke - Festival Producer 2022

  • Keith Barnfather

    Frankly not that impressed. Delighted to get an Honourable Mention, but no-one replies to emails. Can't honestly recommend it.

    December 2021
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    Response from festival:

    hey there Keith, could you please email anything you need to know to mg@sanctuaryfilmfestival.com and we will get onto it straight away. cheers and thanks for the review.

  • Awesome film Festival from the Down Under. Love the energy and diversity from Sanctuary International Film Festival, thank you for the official selection & honorable mention, We love you Australia !

    November 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Ray!
    Hopefully see you in our submissions for 2022! Opening in August

    Thanks,
    Brooke - Festival Producer

  • Sanctuary Film Festival very graciously gave our film 'The Moth' an honourable mention.

    We were pleased to be part of their festival in this respect and we look forward to coming back again in the future with other work.

    November 2021