SUBMISSIONS FOR SYDNEY 2026 NOW OPEN | EARLYBIRD DEADLINE - APRIL 24.

SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN: Filmmakers, submissions are open for the 2026 Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival. In 2026, the festival will continue to expand it's global reach, reinforcing our mission to bring the world of sci-fi film visions to Australian audiences.

In 2025, we received films from 37 countries, indicating just how strong the international sector is and how highly they regard exposure in Australia via our festival.

We also continue our long-established relationship with our venue partner, EVENT Cinemas, Australia's oldest and most prestigious exhibitor. Now in our fifth year, we are once again calling their flagship George Street multiplex our screening centre.

NOTE: Please take a moment to read all the T&Cs below ahead of submitting to ensure all your questions are answered.

STAY INFORMED BY FOLLOWING THE FESTIVAL SOCIALS:
Website: https://www.sydneysciencefictionfilmfestival.com.au/
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/SydSciFiFF/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SydneyScienceFictionFilmFestival/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sydscififest
X: https://twitter.com/SydSciFiFest
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8CjNbBJl6ymUJC-dsZBl4A
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydscififest/

The Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival patron and the organisation's Board Members will preside over the following award categories:

THE RON COBB BEST FEATURE FILM: The feature (over 40 mins) that best exemplifies the vision, values and ambitions of the Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival. Named in honour of the late Ron Cobb, an adopted son of Sydney and iconic conceptual artist on such films as Dark Star, Alien, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Conan the Barbarian and The Abyss.

THE ADAM LEE MEMORIAL AWARD: Awarded to a figure in the science fiction/fantasy community who has exhibited a dedication to their life’s work and served the genre and its fanbase with the enthusiasm and passion. Adam Lee was a Melbourne film archivist and genre fan who passed away in July 2021.

BEST LIVE SHORT FILM (INTERNATIONAL) and BEST LIVE SHORT FILM (AUSTRALIA)

BEST ACTOR (Feature Film) and BEST ACTOR (Short Film)

BEST ACTRESS (Feature Film) and BEST ACTRESS (Short Film)

BEST DIRECTOR (Feature Film) and BEST DIRECTOR (Short Film)

BEST ANIMATION SHORT

BEST STUDENT SHORT

BEST UNPRODUCED FEATURE FILM SCREENPLAY

BEST UNPRODUCED SHORT FILM SCREENPLAY

BEST TV/WEB SERIES or EPISODE

AUDIENCE AWARD: The most popular feature film as voted upon by Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival audiences.

Terms and Conditions:

1. All filmmakers/applicants or entity submitting a film to the Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival (hereafter known as “SSFFF”), accept and agree to comply with the following Terms and Conditions. The person submitting a film to SSFFF is hereafter known as ‘You’ or ‘Your’.

2. We welcome films from any country in the world. If the film is in any other language other than English, the submission requires embedded English subtitles.

3. We only accept films that have been produced during and after 2024. Films that are widely available via public screening platforms (Vimeo, YouTube, etc) or on the filmmaker's official website will not be considered unless under special circumstances.

4. All submission fees are non-refundable. Please do not ask for a full fee waiver. Waivers are only offered to films invited to submit by SSFFF.

5. How to submit:
• Complete and submit Your online submission form.
• Pay relevant submission fee
You will receive confirmation of Your successful registration

6. Student and Young Filmmaker category entrants must be registered in a recognised film school, university, college, high school, middle school or elementary school with proof of ID from the institution to qualify for the relevant fees. You must supply the following:
• Your Student ID
• Name of school, college or university
• Name of Your Course
• Lecture or teacher
• Email of lecturer or teacher

7. FAN FILMS: SSFFF will accept fan films to this festival. You must have all permissions from the copyright holder and/or franchise holder and/or intellectual property owner and reveal those for the SSFFF upon request.

8. Filmmakers submitting must supply:
• Production credits/contact details
• 5 (five) photos for promotional purposes, (min. resolution 1024 x 576 pixels)
• Press Kit for promotional use by SSFFF
• Film Poster
• A trailer and/or scene clips from the film (ProRes 422 Full HD; 1920x1080 or higher).

9. If selected, a .DCP file on a formatted hard drive of the full film must be supplied for the SSFFF theatrical screening, unless an alternate format is otherwise agreed upon by SSFFF. All costs associated with digital delivery of a .DCP file or the generation of a .DCP file will be paid by You.

10. Once a film is accepted by SSFFF and programmed, it cannot be withdrawn from the festival line-up, other than at the discretion of the SSFFF.

11. The SSFFF undertake to make every effort to adhere to the published schedule program. However, SSFFF reserves the right to alter this schedule and venue at any time for any reason. SSFFF does not accept any liability for any costs claimed to arise as a result of a change in the scheduling.

12. Awards may be presented during the SSFFF, at the discretion of the organisers and the Jury Panel (where applicable).

13. By submitting a film, You grant us the right to screen Your film at one or more SSFFF event, including but not limited to Melbourne screenings; copy and/or reproduce, modify, adapt and any part thereof, up to one (1) minute of the film submission. We may also use Your submission and any other promotional material/photo’s and/or information submitted by You to communicate it to the public in all media, including via our website and publicity materials, or to advertise and promote SSFFF event(s), its products and services, or all, and to showcase Your film.

14. You own the copyright to Your film as its author and represent and warrant that You have (and will continue to have during the duration of SSFFF and thereafter) all necessary licenses, rights, consents, and permissions we need to use Your film and You will provide evidence of such on our reasonable request.

15. We accept no responsibility for any damage, loss, liabilities or injury incurred or suffered by any person as a result of submitting a film to SSFFF and its curation and all related events.

16. You indemnify and hold harmless SSFFF 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 of or damage to the screening materials entered.

17. By submitting, You agree that you have read and understood these terms & conditions of entry.

18. The SSFFF reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to change, modify or otherwise alter these 'Terms and Conditions' at any time. Unless otherwise indicated, amendments will become effective immediately.

For further information contact SIMON FOSTER, Festival Director.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Rajesh PK

    We’re thrilled that Blus has been selected for the Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival. Even though Blus is an animated musical with no dialogue, its world, emotions, and visual language connect deeply with imagination — and that makes this selection feel truly special.
    Thank you to the entire Sydney Science Fiction Film Festivsl team for believing in Blus and giving it a space in a festival that inspires creativity across genres and galaxies.

    December 2025
  • Owen Coughlan

    I wasn't in the country, so a friend wen tin my place. They loved it.

    November 2025
  • Dion Cavallaro

    Our team was thrilled to debut our short film THE TRAVELLER at the Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival. Simon Foster and his team did a great job communicating and promoting the festival, as well as getting filmmakers involved and networking. Although we were unable to attend this year, we hope to join future editions to support this festival that champions genre filmmaking.

    October 2025
  • Access to industry insiders and talent that are an integral part of the collaborative process of getting projects made.

    October 2025
  • Simon and his team do a great job communicating with filmmakers and promoting the festival. Even though we couldn't attend, we felt very connected with the festival through their social media and emails. Highly recommend!

    October 2025