- Live screening | IMDB qualifying | Film & Screenplay Competition -

* AIFF25 ENTRY opens January 2025 *

Here at AIFF we like to keep things simple. All official selection films screen in a real theatre amongst real filmmakers and film lovers from Brisbane and beyond. We have a real award's show and give out real industry relevant prizes.

Located in Brisbane Australia at one of Australia’s coolest venues within one of Brisbane’s coolest art precincts is the internationally acclaimed Australia Independent Film Festival.

Known passionately as “the filmmaker’s festival,” AIFF is on track to become Australia's premiere short film and screenplay festival. Founded in 2017 AIFF has grown from strength to strength and is now a prominent event on the domestic and international film festival circuit.

"We strive to be transparent at every stage and take great pride in screening every official selection film in a real theatre in front of real film lovers and filmmakers from across Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, and beyond." Jeremy Rigby & Richard Lawton AIFF Co-Founders.

FIVE STARS - "We wish this great festival all the success", Ali Mohammed Saeed director OF 2019 Oscar nominated MOSUL 980 - Iraq.

FIVE STARS - "Thank you for a well-organized festival", Dekel Berenson, director of 2020 academy nominated short film ANNA - Israel.

FIVE STARS - "I really can’t overstate how great an experience we had with the organizers and programmers at AIFF. They really foster a truly positive and supportive community for filmmakers to take part in with their fantastic festival”, Nathan Fagan & Luke Daly directors of 2021 Oscar long list qualifying short film FLICKER – Ireland.

FIVE STARS - “Put this festival in your top 10 list to submit. You’ll be glad you did." Jhett Tolentino, Grammy & Tony Award Winning Broadway Producer – America.

Whether you're a student filmmaker, a first-time filmmaker or a seasoned professional your entry will be treated with the utmost respect and professionalism it deserves. We are open, transparent, and actively keep entrants updated throughout the season.

The Australia Independent Film Festival is proudly sponsored* by Proudly sponsored by the Brisbane City Council | Screen Queensland | Audio-Technica | Black Magic | Panavision | Write Brothers | Black List | iPitch.tv | Toon Boom | Boundless Entertainment | Super Nice Tax | Dragon Image.

AWARD CATEGORIES - MAIN

Best International Short Film
Best Australian Short Film
Best Queensland Short Film
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Best Experimental including music
Best Student
People's Choice
Best Short Screenplay

AWARD CATEGORIES - SEQ FUTURE STARS
(Southeast Queensland Highschool competition)

Please note entry in this category does not qualify for consideration and or inclusion in the main award categories and or screening sessions. An exclusive awards ceremony will be held immediately following the SEQ Future Stars screening session.

Best Short Film
Best Film Poster
Best Short Film -RUNNER-UP
People's Choice

AIFF24 AWARD PRIZES

- SEMI-FINALISTS
• All semi-finalists receive AIFF semi-finalist laurels.

FINALIST (OFFICIAL SELECTION) PRIZE
• AIFF24 - Digital print quality certificate.
• Finalist laurel + Official Selection laurel.
• Complementary 3 month subscription to iPitch.tv

| WINNERS |

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM
• AIFF24 - Award Trophy.
• AIFF24 - Digital print quality certificate.
• Audio Technica - ATH-M50x Professional Monitor Headphones.
• The Black List - Feature screenplay listing subscription (2 months) & 2 coverage reports.
• Write Brothers - Movie Magic Screenwriter full version digital download.
• Boundless Entertainment - Unreal Engine 5.3 online filmmaker's course.

BEST AUSTRALIAN SHORT FILM
• AIFF24 - Award Trophy.
• AIFF24 - Digital print quality certificate.
• Panavision A$ 3,500 gear rental towards your next production.
• Audio Technica - Creator Pack Pro.
• Blackmagic Design - DaVinci Resolve Studio full program.
• The Black List - Feature screenplay listing subscription (2 months) & 2 coverage reports.
• Write Brothers - Movie Magic Screenwriter full version digital download.
• Boundless Entertainment - Unreal Engine 5.3 online filmmaker's course.

BEST QUEENSLAND SHORT FILM
• AIFF24 - Award Trophy.
• AIFF24 - Digital print quality certificate.
• The Black List - Feature screenplay listing subscription (2 months) & 2 coverage reports.
• Write Brothers - Movie Magic Screenwriter full version digital download.
- Consideration for Best Australian short film -

BEST ANIMATION
• AIFF24 - Crystal Award Trophy.
• AIFF24 - Digital print quality certificate.
• Harmony 22 Advanced one-year license
- Considered in the relevant Best Short Film category / categories.
IE: If your film is German it will automatically be considered for best International Film as well.

BEST EXPEREMENTAL - BEST DOCUMENTARY (will each win)
• AIFF24 - Crystal Award Trophy.
• AIFF24 - Digital print quality certificate.
- Considered in the relevant Best Short Film category / categories.
IE: If your film is German it will automatically be considered for best International Film as well.

Special Award Categories

PEOPLE'S CHOICE
• AIFF24 - Award Trophy.
• AIFF24 - Digital print quality certificate.
• Dragon Image Australia - One full day studio hire.

BEST STUDENT FILM
• AIFF24 - Award Trophy.
• AIFF24 - Digital print quality certificate.
• The Black List - Feature screenplay listing subscription (2 months) & 2 coverage reports.

BEST SHORT SCREENPLAY
•AIFF24 - Award Trophy.
•Digital print quality certificate.
• The Black List - Feature screenplay listing subscription (2 months) & 2 coverage reports.
• Write Brothers - Movie Magic Screenwriter full version digital download.
• Boundless Entertainment - Unreal Engine 5.3 online filmmaker's course.

AWARD PRIZES - SEQ HIGHSCHOOL COMPETITION

- SEMI-FINALISTS
• All semi-finalists receive AIFF semi-finalist laurels.

FINALIST (OFFICIAL SELECTION) PRIZE
• AIFF24 - Digital print quality certificate.
• Finalist laurel + Official Selection laurel.
• Complementary 3 month subscription to iPitch.tv

Each category winner will receive:
•AIFF24 - Award Trophy x 1.
•Digital print quality certificate.

Best High School Short Film
• Blackmagic Design - DaVinci Resolve Studio full program.
• Audio Technica - ATH-M50x Professional Monitor Headphones.
• Write Brothers - Movie Magic Screenwriter full version digital download.
• Boundless Entertainment - Unreal Engine 5.3 online filmmaker's course.
• Gorrila Pod Creator Kit courtesy of Officeworks Woolloongabba.

* Prizes by companies are dependent on partnership agreements being renewed in 2024. Sponsor names and prizes will be updated as the season progresses.

OUR PROMISE TO YOU.

At AIFF we believe it is our core values which help set us apart from many other festivals. We are totally committed to being an ethical festival and make the following promise to all entrants. It is our filmmakers guarantee and what we believe is an industry first.

1. We will be transparent, honest and provide regular festival updates.

2. All entries will be played in their entirety and judged as per the listed judging and selection process. We do not promote favoritism.

3. At AIFF23 every finalist film 'will' screen in a real theater in attendance by paying public. We screen all finalist films and not just films from attending filmmakers.

Finalist = Official Selection = Live screening.

4. The awards ceremony is a live event following the final screening session.

5. If a film wins but a filmmaker is not in attendance their award will be delivered at no charge.

AIFF SELECTION PROCESS:

Being an independent festival, we encourage all genres and a greater emphasis in the judging process is the overall appeal verses technical perfection and or money spent. Each entry is judged internally using standardized criteria before the top scoring films are judged by an external jury of industry professionals.

REWARDING FILMMAKERS

QUARTER-FINALISTS The top thirty percent (subject to seasonal variations) of each category will be named as quarter-finalists and will be awarded a high-quality quarter-finalist laurel which can be proudly displayed on social media and on film posters.
Please note: Quarter-finalist films will not be screened at the festival.

SEMI-FINALISTS. The top twenty percent (subject to seasonal variations) of each category will be named as semi-finalists and will be awarded a high-quality semi-finalist laurel which can be proudly displayed on social media and on film posters.
Please note: Semi-finalist films will not be screened at the festival.

FINALISTS will be selected from the semi-finalist group and will be awarded a finalist laurel, official selection laurel and a digital certificate. All finalist films sill screen at the festival.

WINNERS of each category will be awarded a special winner's laurel, an original print quality digital certificate and an original high-quality award. Other prizes will be added once confirmed.

AIFF NETWORKING @ausindefest
We believe a festival is not a festival without the opportunity for filmmakers to network and socialize between fellow creatives'.

Before and after screening sessions festival goers will be encouraged to network and socialize at the theater.

For those that like to socialize and network into the early hours. Each night a nominated venue will be selected and announced during the screening sessions. There is a reason locals like to call Brisbane – BRISVEGAS.

THE CITY and THE VENUE:

Brisbane located an hour's drive from the World-famous beaches of the Gold Coast is a vibrant, art loving new world city that can be considered the Gateway to Australia. Brisbane, the capital of Queensland is rich with culture and renowned for its hospitality and safety. AIFF23 will take place at Metro Arts West Village, Brisbane City.

Need to know more?
We welcome all questions. Please email contact@ausindefest.com and we'll do our best to answer your questions.

AUSTRALIA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL (AIFF) RULES

AIFF does not provide entry fee waivers and does not reply to fee waiver requests.

Entry fees are set in U$ - The reason for this is that most communities are best able to calculate the price in their native currency from the US dollar.

By entering a submitter agrees that they have read and understood the rules and regulations and to the best of their knowledge accept all statements as being true.

AIFF reserves the right to disqualify any submission without refund of submission fees. By entering a submitter confirms that they own the rights and or have permission from the owner of the content to enter the festival.

1. DATES:
The 2023 Australia Independent Film Festival will be held October 2023 Brisbane City Australia.

2. ENTRY RESTRICTIONS:
Nil.

3. SUBMISSION CATEGORIES:
Please select the category that best fits your project.
The Festival reserves the right to determine eligibility of any project for any Festival program or submission category. The Festival also reserves to change the entered category if the entry is better placed within a different category.

4. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
SUBMISSIONS ARE ACCEPTED EXCLUSIVELY VIA FilmFreeway. AN ENTRY WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED INTO AIFF WITH PAYMENT OF THE APPROPRIATE ENTRY FEE.

5. SELECTION:
Each entry will be played in full and judged internally under a unified marking system to give a final averaged score out of ten. Where an entry is judged by multiple people the final score is the average of all scores.
Judging categories include:
Originality / Creativity
Direction
Writing
Cinematography
Performances
Production Value
Pacing
Structure
Sound / Music

The decisions of AIFF will be FINAL.

6. PROGRAMING:
Upon completion of the selection process, AIFF will attempt to contact the Submitter using the contact information provided on the submission form to notify the Submitter of the Project's acceptance status.

AIFF will not be held responsible for any failure to contact the Submitter using the contact information provided on the submission form. It is the sole responsibility of the Submitter to ensure that the contact information provided on the submission form is correct throughout the entirety of the Festival selection period.
AIFF will establish the schedule of the films submitted.
Language (SUBTITLE POLICY)
IF YOUR FILM IS SELECTED for screening at the festival:
-If the film is another language than English it must have English Subtitles.

7. OTHER CONDITIONS:
AUSTRALIA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL DOES NOT provide discounts or fee waivers.

AUSTRALIA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL DOES NOT pay any screening fees.

AUSTRALIA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL DOES NOT cover any travel or accommodation expenses.

AUSTRALIA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL DOES NOT cover any subtitling expenses.

AUSTRALIA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL DOES NOT guarantee distribution.

AUSTRALIA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL DOES NOT provide feedback and or judging insights.

AUSTRALIA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL DOES NOT refund an entry fee if you change your mind.

8. GENERAL CONDITIONS:
By entering you agree and accept that the AIFF may use entered film titles, log lines, film frames, film photos, productions photos, film posters and short segments of the film for event promotion online and or in print media. Furthermore, Filmmakers are responsible for adhering to all guidelines and deadlines needed to ensure the highest quality exhibition of their film.

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

AIFF is entitled to make interpretations in any case not considered in these rules and regulations and may make exceptions whenever justified. AIFF 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.

A submitted project implies full agreement with AIFF terms & conditions. Failing to comply with any of these articles may result in denying the participation of a project in the Festival.

AUSTRALIA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL has the right to add, alter, change, or delete any portion of the guidelines and or components of listed prizes at any time without notice.

AUSTRALIA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL reserves the right to add, alter, and change event inclusions and or screening venues at any time without notice. AIFF will not be held responsible for technical problems beyond our control that may affect the screening of a film and or films at the festival.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Catherine Kolomyjec

    Thank you for selecting our film Everywhere for its World Premiere at AIFF 2024! The whole experience of our first film festival was incredible - great (and personalised) communication, and support from the very first day. We actually felt like the AIFF team cared about our film as much as we do. And what a magical experience our film crew had on the festival weekend! We hoped Everywhere would make an impact - so winning Best Documentary and People's Choice was an overwhelming affirmation for our young Crew. Thank you for the most professional and celebratory start to our festival journey AIFF!

    November 2024
  • This is one of the best festivals going -- AIFF24 was a terrific experience! Jeremy and the team were first class hosts with a refreshing selection of films, both local and international, and we were grateful to have our film "Minutes to Go" screen as our International premiere there. And then... to have been selected as Best International Short Film was an exceptional recognition for which we are immeasurably proud. Thank you, Jeremy and team for all of your efforts, support for indie filmmakers, and your warm hospitality. I will definitely be back!!

    November 2024
  • Jessica Sherlock

    A fantastic Brisbane based festival! The organisers maintained great communication throughout and it was really well organised. This year had a wonderful selection of both international and local films.

    November 2024
  • Thank you so much for selecting ' Next to Me' as a finalist and official selection. as a team we were delighted to be selected and be able to invite friends and family to the event.
    The festival itself was a wonderful platform to show case our film and see the audience reaction.
    As for the festival organization , the team did a great job at presenting the films, audience engagement and communicating to the film representatives.. not once was i left guessing and that didn't go unnoticed!
    Fantastic experience overall!

    November 2024
  • Chiho Yatomi

    Thank you for selecting our film "SOMETHING..." for the quarter-finals. I am so happy and honored. I would like to express my gratitude to all the judges. As an international student, I spent my student years in Brisbane, a city filled with many memories for me. I consider Brisbane my second hometown. Therefore, Australia Independent Film Festival is very special to me; it was the first film festival I wanted to apply to. I hope to return to Brisbane through my films, and I will do my best for my next project.AIFF Directors sent a wonderful email that encouraged me. Thank you!

    November 2024