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* FINAL DEADLINE - AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT - ENTER TODAY *

Known as “the festival where stars shine,” the Australia Independent Film Festival (AIFF) is on track to become Australia's premiere short film festival. Founded in 2017 AIFF has grown from strength to strength and is now a prominent event on the festival circuit.

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.

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 encourage participation and actively promote through social media channels, news outlets and our contact database.

FIVE STARS - "We wish this great festival all the success", 2020 Oscar nominated Mosul 980 and winner of AIFF19 Best International Short Film.

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 AIFF21 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:

** Australian Independent Film Festival has currently suspended entry to films submitted from the Russia Federation. We believe this is inline with government actions and business groups in retaliation to the unlawful invasion of Ukraine.

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

SEMI-FINALISTS. The top twenty percent (submission dependent) 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. Numbers will be dependent on category entries and programming requirements.

WINNER'S 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 creative's.

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. AIFF21 will take place at Metro Arts West Village, Brisbane City.

The Team at AIFF feel the brand new Metro Arts complex is without a doubt one of the coolest venues in Australia in one of Australia's most recognized art hubs.

Need to know more?

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

Awards & Prizes

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM

Custom AIFF award A$250 - Winners laurel - Winners certificate - print quality digital.
1 x DaVinci Resolve 17 Resolve Studio - 1 x DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor - A$1,100.
1 x Final Draft software full version digital download - U$$249.99.
1 x 4-month InkTip Pro Membership - U$130.
1 x 12 -month iPITCH subscription - U$130.

BEST AUSTRALIAN SHORT FILM

Custom AIFF award A$250 - Winners laurel - Winners certificate - print quality digital.
1 x DaVinci Resolve 17 Resolve Studio - 1 x DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor - A$1,100.
1x Final Draft software full version digital download - U$$249.99.
1 x Audio Technica Creator Pack Pro - A$449.
1 x 4-month InkTip Pro Membership - U$130.
1 x 12 -month iPITCH subscription - U$130.

BEST QUEENSLAND SHORT FILM

Custom AIFF award A$250 - Winners laurel - Winners certificate - print quality digital.
1x Final Draft software full version digital download - U$$249.99.
1 x 12 -month iPITCH subscription - U$130.
- Consideration for Best Australian short film -

BEST ANIMATION

Custom AIFF award A$250 - Winners laurel - Winners certificate - print quality digital.
Considered in the relevant Best Short Film category / categories.
1 x 12 -month iPITCH subscription - U$130.
IE: If your film is German it will automatically be considered for best International Film as well.

BEST EXPERIMENTAL - Including music videos.

Custom AIFF award A$250 - Winners laurel - Winners certificate - print quality digital.
1 x 12 -month iPITCH subscription - U$130.
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 DOCUMENTARY

Custom AIFF award A$250 - Winners laurel - Winners certificate - print quality digital.
1 x 12 -month iPITCH subscription - U$130.
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

Custom AIFF award A$250 - Winners laurel - Winners certificate - print quality digital.
Studio hire - Full Day $895 - Dragon Image Australia.
1 x 12 -month iPITCH subscription - U$130.

BEST STUDENT FILM

Custom AIFF award A$250 - Winners laurel - Winners certificate - print quality digital.
Final Draft software full version digital download - U$$249.99.
1 x 4 - month InkTip Pro Membership - U$130.
1 x 12 -month iPITCH subscription - U$130.

FINALIST (OFFICIAL SELECTION) PRIZE

Finalist laurel - Finalist certificate - print quality digital.
1 x 3 - month iPITCH subscription - U$49.

Rules & Terms

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 2021 Australia Independent Film Festival will be held Friday 30 September - Sunday 2 October 2022 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 top rated films for each category will then be reviewed and scored by an external Jury to assist in final placements and outcomes of the festival.
The Jury will be made up of individuals recognized as Industry Professionals.
Individuals who participated in the production or promotion of any of the competing films will not be eligible as jury members.
The decisions of AIFF will be FINAL.

6. PROGRAMING:
Upon completion of the Festival selection process, the Festival 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 Festival 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 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.

96 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Mick Hannigan

    From Luke Daly and Nathan Fagan, filmmakers we represent:
    "I really can’t overstate how great an experience we had with the organisers and programmers at AIFF. They really foster a truly positive and supportive community for filmmakers to take part in with their fantastic festival. Really happy to have had the opportunity to screen our film, Flicker, and were beyond honoured to receive an award. Thanks!"

    June 2022
    Helpful
  • karin ochsner

    The support from the festival organisers has been outstanding. We are very grateful for the experience AIFF has provided. Their communication was great and very considering of our individual case. It enabled us to progress. We highly recommend this festival.

    February 2022
    Helpful
  • Chris Oledude


    From Christopher R. Owens, President, CESO Enterprises, Inc. crowens@cesony.com:

    On behalf of CESO ENTERPRISES, INC., Alyssa Dann, Chris Oledude, and all of our production participants, I would like to compliment the organizers and operators of Australia Independent Film Festival. When we created our first music video (which was long enough to be a short film), we knew nothing about film festivals. With the help of FilmFreeway, we started researching. The categories were good. Everyone who contacted us on behalf of this festival was helpful. The submissions looked excellent.

    It was indeed exciting to discover this new world and to be so warmly welcomed by the inhabitants! To have GEORGE FLOYD: SAY THEIR NAMES selected for inclusion was an honor in and of itself.

    We were happy to “get the word out” and continue motivating people worldwide to consider the injustices embedded within our nation’s criminal justice system. After all, situations where a powerful segment of the population uses its law enforcement apparatus to abuse and oppress other segments of the population are recognizable in and common too many societies.
    We recommend submitting your work and we certainly intend to participate again in the future.

    Peace and stay safe!

    January 2022
    Helpful
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    Response from festival:

    Dear Chris,
    Thank you for such kind words and the wonderful review. Without filmmakers like yourself we would not be a festival. We hope that you are staying creative and that your being a part of our festival inspires you to keep pushing the boundaries with your messages of inspiration and hope.
    Stay safe,
    TEAM AIFF.

  • Kelsey Andries

    I was honoured to be a Semi-Finalist for this festival. Being married to an Aussie I just had to enter some festivals from his side of the world, especially since he was the subject of our documentary. We will continue to enter and hope we get selected one day and can make the trip back for in-person celebrations.

    October 2021
    Helpful
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    Response from festival:

    Dear Kelsey,
    Thank you for your kind words and review. We would certainly like to see more of your work in the future. Documentaries or as we like to say True Stories play a very special part of our festival and we are one of the only ones in our area that has dedicated documentary sessions.
    Stay creative,
    TEAM AIFF.

  • Dhruv Suri

    Awesome festival with a genuine passion for cinema - very well curated.

    October 2021
    Helpful