Sydney Web Fest is a brand new international web series festival, ready to launch onto the Australian scene. Sydney Web Fest is dedicated to the celebration of online content, and the talents of those who make it happen.

We're excited to showcase hardworking creatives, and their web series work. SWF is committed to celebrating the creators of web series', and in particular, the creative accomplishments of women - along with honouring diversity across all spectrums. No matter how you identify, we look forward to your submission.

2019 marks SWF's inaugural screening, with the valued support from LA Web Fest, Michael Ajakwe, and other industry heavyweights. SWF will be packed with screenings, panels, networking opportunities, and our awards ceremony.

The Sydney Web Fest team are excited to start this brand new Australian celebration of online content!

Awards & Prizes

Best Comedy (International and Australian)
Best Drama (International and Australian)
Best Documentary
Best Student Series
Best Kids Series
Best Animated Series
Best Variety Show

SWF Award for Best Series*
SWF Award for Diversity**
The Michael Ajakwe Award for Innovation***

Best Director
Best Screenplay - Comedy
Best Screenplay - Drama
Best Editing
Best Actor - Female
Best Actor - Male
Best Supporting Actor - Female
Best Supporting Actor - Male
Best Ensemble
Best Original Score
Best Sound Design
Best Visual/Special Effects
Best Animation

* Qualifying series must have women in at least three key creative roles (Lead Female Actor,Director, Producer, Writer, Cinematographer, Composer, Editor)
** Qualifying series must have an LGBTQIA+ focus and/or pass the Vito Russo test.
*** This award is in honour of the creator of web series festivals as we know them. As the founder of LA Web Fest, Michael paved the way for festivals like ours, and this award celebrates innovation and courage in filmmaking.

Rules & Terms

Please read the following terms carefully. Sydney Web Fest reserves the right to deem any series that fails to meet the criteria outlined ineligible.

1. Upon submitting to Sydney Web Fest, you and/or your team fully accept the terms and conditions outlined by Sydney Web Fest.
2. Upon submission, you grant Sydney Web Fest rights to use works submitted, and excerpts from works submitted, for promotional purposes (presentations, highlight reels, advertising material).
2. Upon submitting your work to Sydney Web Fest, you and/or your team must have expressed authority, own all rights, and the associated intellectual property permissions, to submit works.
2. You may submit more than one series to the festival, to one or more categories, but each submission in each category must be completed separately, each with their own submission fee. If you aren't sure which category your series falls under, select which one is closest.
3. Entry fees are non-refundable.
4. With the exception of the Student Series category (which must be clearly marked on the entry's application), all content submitters must be 18 years or over.
5. At this time, all series produced after December 2014 are eligible for consideration, regardless of previous screenings, award wins, or premiere status.
6. Each submission must have a minimum of two (2) completed episodes, upon submission.
7. Individual episodes must not exceed fifteen (15) minutes in length. Sydney Web Fest welcomes a reduced/edited version of an episode, in order to meet the time criteria.
8. Entries that are in a language other than English, must include English subtitles for all episodes submitted.
9. Series must be viewable globally, and not password protected by region. Series may be submitted via platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo, and also online storage platforms such as Google Drive, or Dropbox. Series must be able to be downloaded, for the festival's promotional content.
10. Sydney Web Fest will not be held responsible for any series that has not received the proper authority/permission to obtain rights to material submitted to, or screened at. SWF. This includes claims involving copyright, trademarks, screenings, or any other liability. Sydney Web Fest will also not be held financially responsible, for any of the listed violations.
11. All decisions made by Sydney Web Fest are final.
12. Sydney Web Fest reserves the right to amend or change festival criteria.
13. Sydney Web fest reserves the right to screen or not screen programmed works, or works announced in the Official Selection section of the festival.
14. Any material sent to Sydney Web Fest will not be returned, unless a postpaid, self-addressed, return envelope is enclosed in the package.
15. New South Wales and Australian state and federal laws apply.

3 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Kym Vaitiekus

    We were thrilled to be a part of the Sydney inaugural Webfest. Meeting the festival director Courtney Powell, was an absolute pleasure. Her enthusiasm and love of what she does could have been more infectious, love this woman.
    We encourage all webfest entrants to make Sydney your next stop.
    See you all in 2020.

    October 2019
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Kym!!! It was such a joy meeting you, and sharing your work at SWF! Can't wait to do it all again in 2020! <3

  • Hannah Draper

    Great festival! I wish Sydney Web Fest all the best for the many years to come.

    October 2019
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Hannah!! That means the word!

  • Enzo Tedeschi

    A really solid first year for what I am sure will be a long term fixture on the Webfest calendar. Congrats to all involved - looking forward to 2020!

    October 2019
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Enzo - that means so much. Looking forward to getting bigger and better in 2020! :)