Australia Independent Film Festival (AIFF) Brisbane Australia.

Known as “the festival where stars shine,” the Australia Independent Film Festival is on track to become Australia's premiere short film festival.

“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.

"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 AIFF20 every very 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.

4. The awards ceremony is and will always be free to attend.

5. If a film wins but a filmmaker is not in attendance their trophy 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

SEMI-FINALISTS. The top twenty percent (submission dependent) of each category will be named as semi-finalists and will be awarded a semi-finalist laurel and a digital print quality certificate at festival close.

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 a high quality crystal trophy. 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.

Attending finalist filmmakers will be invited to participate in a special group Q and A session. We want to give you a voice within the festival and beyond.

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. AIFF20 will take place at the Elizabeth Theater in the heat of Brisbane city.

The Team at AIFF feel the Elizabeth Theater is without a doubt one of the best screening venues in Australia.

Need to know more? We welcome all questions.

Awards & Prizes

Main Award Categories

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM ( Crystal trophy $225 value + postage.)

BEST AUSTRALIAN SHORT FILM ( Crystal trophy $225 value + postage.)

BEST QUEENSLAND SHORT FILM ( Crystal trophy $225 value + postage.)

BEST ANIMATION ( Crystal trophy $225 value + postage.)

BEST EXPERIMENTAL - Including music videos. ( Crystal trophy $225 value + postage.)

Special Award Categories

PEOPLE'S CHOICE (SHORT FORMAT)

BEST STUDENT FILM ( Crystal trophy $225 value + postage.)

BEST FIRST-TIME FILMMAKER ( Crystal trophy $225 value + postage.)

JURY AWARD ( Crystal trophy $225 value + postage.)

The trophy is an approximate value. If an award winner foes not attend the trophy will be delivered at no cost to the winner.)

Additional prizes will be announced via social media.

Rules & Terms

AUSTRALIA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL (AIFF) RULES

AIFF does not provide entry fee waivers and does not reply to fee waiver requests.
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 2020 Australia Independent Film Festival will be held from September 17 to 20 in Brisbane City Australia.

2. ENTRY RESTRICTIONS:
Films that have been released online prior to entry and or the event are ineligible to enter and event organizers must be notified of this.

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 has 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.

61 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Craig Rutter

    I wasn't able to make the festival, but I was impressed with AIFF keeping me updated at each stage of the festival's processes. I hope I will be able to attend a future festival in person and look forward to submitting more works in the future.

    January 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Hi Craig, We are extremely grateful for you taking the time to review our festival in such positive light. We are growing and learning with each festival and look forward to seeing your future works. Like with our other entrants you will always be most welcome to attend. Thank you.

  • Stephen Delos Treacy

    Nicely organized contest made you feel part of it.

    January 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Hi Stephen, thank you for your positive review. As filmmakers who have entered many festivals we decided from the start we wanted to treat entrants how we wanted to be treated ourselves.  We hope you stay creative and look forward to hearing of your future works.

  • Joshua Cohen

    great fest with attractive trophies!

    December 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Hello Joshua, thank you for your kind words and positive review. We once again congratulate you on your best screenplay award for BULLY and wish ot every success. It is going to make one anazing film.

  • T.J. Yoshizaki

    This is an excellent independent film festival. It was the Australian Premiere of my short, HOT DOG. I regret that I wasn't able to attend in person, but they're well organized and their promotion is excellent. I could tell that from 7,000 miles away.

    December 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Hello T.J., thank you for taking the time to review our festival. It does mean a lot to us. It was an honour to premiere Hot Dog and we can say it was a festival favourite. Well done and congratulations. We can't wait to see your next film.

  • Greg Hall

    A brilliant platform for independent cinema, well organised with a great selection of films. I couldn't attend but was really happy to screen as part of the festival, it was really well promoted and communicated. Well worth entering.

    December 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Hi Greg,
    thank you for your kind words. It was an honour to screen Smack Edd and we can certainly say it was enjoyed by all. We can't wait to see your next work and wish you the very best in the future.
    TEAM AIFF