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

Located in Brisbane Australia within one of Australia’s best cinemas within one of Brisbane’s coolest precincts is the internationally acclaimed Australia Independent Film Festival. The festival screens at Palace | James Street which is a world-class cinema that boasts cutting-edge sound, state-of-the-art digital projection, and unparalleled comfort.

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.

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 | KODAK | Panavision |Audio-Technica | Black Magic | Write Brothers | Black List | iPitch.tv | Toon Boom | Boundless Entertainment | Super Nice Tax | Dragon Image.

AWARD CATEGORIES - MAIN
Best Short Film
Best International Short Film
Best Australian Short Film
Best Queensland Short Film
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Best Motion Picture Short Film
Best Experimental including music
Best Episodic
Best Student
People's Choice
Best Short Screenplay

AWARD CATEGORIES - QLD FUTURE STARS
(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 QLD Future Stars screening session. Please submit films in the region specific category. Films will then automatically qualify for all relevant categories.

Best QLD School Short Film
- Best SEQ School Short Film
- QLD Regional School Short Film
- Best FNQ School Short Film
- Best QLD School Animation
- Best QLD School Documentary
- Best QLD School People's Choice

AIFF25 PRIZES WILL BE LISTED AS SPONSORS ARE RECONFIRMED

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

FINALIST (OFFICIAL SELECTION) PRIZE
• AIFF25 - Digital print quality certificate.
• Finalist laurel + Official Selection laurel.

| WINNERS |

2025 BEST SHORT FILM
• AIFF25 - Award Trophy.
• AIFF25 - Digital print quality certificate.
- The Best Short Film is selected from The Best Australian Short Film & The Best International Short Film winner.

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM
• AIFF25 - Award Trophy.
• AIFF25 - Digital print quality certificate.
• DaVinci Resolve Studio software suite.
• Write Brothers - Movie Magic Screenwriter full version digital download.
• The Black List - A two-month screenplay listing subscription and two coverage reports.

BEST AUSTRALIAN SHORT FILM
• AIFF25 - Award Trophy.
• AIFF25 - Digital print quality certificate.
• Panavision A$ 3,500.00 gear rental towards your next production.
• Dragon Image - A$1,000 Full day studio hire (Bris / Syd or Mel)
• Blackmagic Design - $499 DaVinci Resolve Studio software suite.
• Audio Technica - $329.00 Wireless Earbuds | ATH-CKS50TW2 |
• Write Brothers - Movie Magic Screenwriter full version digital download.
• The Black List - A two-month screenplay listing subscription and two coverage reports.

BEST QUEENSLAND SHORT FILM
• AIFF25 - Award Trophy.
• AIFF25 - Digital print quality certificate.
• Write Brothers - Movie Magic Screenwriter full version digital download.
• The Black List - A two-month screenplay listing subscription and two coverage reports.
- Consideration for Best Australian short film -

BEST ANIMATION
• AIFF25 - Crystal Award Trophy.
• AIFF25 - 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.

BEST EXPEREMENTAL - BEST DOCUMENTARY - BEST EPISODIC (will each win)
• AIFF25 - Crystal Award Trophy.
• AIFF25 - 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

BEST MOTION PICTURE SHORT FILM (Open to all categories)
• AIFF25 - Crystal Award Trophy.
• AIFF25 - Digital print quality certificate.
• 5 X 400ft rolls of KODAK 16mm film valued at approximately A$2,000.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE
• AIFF25 - Award Trophy.
• AIFF25 - Digital print quality certificate.

BEST STUDENT FILM
• AIFF25 - Award Trophy.
• AIFF25 - Digital print quality certificate.
• The Black List - A two-month screenplay listing subscription and two coverage reports.

BEST SHORT SCREENPLAY
•AIFF25 - Award Trophy.
•Digital print quality certificate.
• Write Brothers - Movie Magic Screenwriter full version digital download.
• The Black List - A two-month screenplay listing subscription and two coverage reports.

AWARD PRIZES - SEQ HIGHSCHOOL COMPETITION

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

FINALIST (OFFICIAL SELECTION) PRIZE
• AIFF25 - Digital print quality certificate.
• Finalist laurel + Official Selection laurel.

Each category winner will receive:
•AIFF25 - Award Trophy x 1.
•Digital print quality certificate.

Best High School Short Film
• DaVinci Resolve Studio software suite.
• Write Brothers - Movie Magic Screenwriter full version digital download.

Sponsor names and prizes will be updated as the season progresses. Prize values are approximate.

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 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 AIFF25 every finalist film 'will' screen in a real cinema 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 quarterfinalists 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. AIFF25 will take place at Palace | James Street, 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 2025 Australia Independent Film Festival will be held November 7&8 2025 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, judging insights or entry statistics.

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.

The Australia Independent Film Festival will facilitate the delivery of all listed prizes however will be not be held responsible for non-delivery or prize substitution by a prize sponsor.

Prizes are listed in good faith and AIFF cannot guarantee individual prize sponsors will deliver prizes as listed.

It is expected prize winners confirm the following with prize sponsors when accepting individual prizes:

Certain prizes may require prize winners to agree to additional terms and conditions made avaliable by a prize sponsor.

Certain prizes are only redeemable at certain locations within a certain time frame.

Prizes are non-refundable, non-exchangeable, and not redeemable for money.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Purain Sandhu

    Super thankful that Street Art Amsterdam and Breaking Amsterdam were selected as quarter-finalists for this festival! Feeling incredibly motivated to create more and even better ones ahead, let’s bring home the win!

    February 2025
  • Basil Preuveneers

    They took a lot of trouble reviewing my film and I was delighted that they shortlisted this. I will be happy to use their services again.

    January 2025
  • 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