IFFA Award Night - International Film Festival of Australia

IFFA Submission Guidelines and Terms
Please review the following terms carefully. IFFA reserves the right to deem any project ineligible if it fails to meet the criteria outlined below.

IFFA is committed to supporting filmmakers from diverse backgrounds, including under-18 and emerging student talents, as well as local creatives. Australian submitters can receive a $5 AUD discount on submission fees by using the discount code IFFA2025AUS.

Terms and Conditions
1. Acceptance of Terms
By submitting to IFFA, you and/or your team agree to all terms and conditions outlined by IFFA.

2. Rights for Promotional Use
Upon submission, you grant IFFA the rights to use submitted works, and excerpts from those works, for promotional purposes (including presentations, highlight reels, and advertising).

3. Ownership and Permissions
You and/or your team must have the authority, rights, and intellectual property permissions to submit your work.

4. Multiple Submissions
You may submit more than one project across, but each submission must be completed separately with its own submission fee. If you’re uncertain about which category to choose, select the closest match.

5. Non-Refundable Fees
Submission fees are non-refundable, and submitting does not guarantee acceptance into IFFA. Submitters acknowledge that all projects will be evaluated by a jury, whose decisions are final. Withdrawals are not permitted.

6. Age Requirement
All submitters must be 18 years or older, except for the Under-18 category, which must be clearly marked on the application.

7. Eligibility by Production Date
Projects produced after 30 October, 2025, are eligible for consideration.

8. English Subtitles Requirement
Projects in languages other than English must include English subtitles. Failure to provide subtitles may result in disqualification from further judging.

9. Responsibility for Permissions
IFFA is not responsible for projects lacking proper permissions or rights, including copyrights, trademarks, or screenings, and is not liable for any related issues or financial responsibilities.

10. Amendments to Criteria
IFFA reserves the right to amend submission and festival criteria at any time.

11. Return of Physical Materials
Any physical materials sent to IFFA will not be returned unless a pre-paid, self-addressed return envelope is provided.

12. Official Submission Channels
For non-English films, English subtitles are required. We recommend that all official submissions and inquiries regarding submissions be directed through FilmFreeway or our official email at info@iffa.com.au.

Additional Requirements for Website and Media Exposure
Poster and Media Materials
When submitting your project, you must provide an HD poster (27" x 40") without any other festival laurels. Additionally, please supply high-quality headshots of the main cast, along with their names, bios (up to 500 words), and relevant IMDb links. By providing these materials, you grant IFFA permission to display them on our website and in press releases, media features, and articles about your project.

Award Categories
IFFA will be awarding outstanding works in the following categories:

1. Feature Films
Best International Feature Film
Best International Actor
Best International Actress
Best International Director
Best International Screenplay Writer
Best International Supporting Actor
Best International Supporting Actress
Best Cinematography
2. Short Films
Best International Short Film
Best Actor in a Short Film
Best Actress in a Short Film
Best Short Film Director
Best Screenplay Writer for a Short Film
Best Cinematography in a Short Film
3. Documentaries
Best Documentary
4. Youth Films
Best Short Film by Youth Under 18
5. Student Films
Best Student Film
6. Animation
Best Animation
Notification and Attendance
Nominee Notification
Successful nominees will be notified via FilmFreeway.

Social Media Announcement
As a successful nominee, we request that you create a professionally and creatively produced social media reel announcing your film’s nomination in the IFFA Awards 2025. This reel can be shared on your social media channels to promote your achievement.

Winning Reel Announcement
Upon winning, we encourage you to create a reel featuring your trophy to publicly announce your win. This can be used for media, marketing, and promotional purposes.

IMDb and Social Media Engagement
We highly recommend that you add your project to IFFA's IMDb page and follow our official Instagram and Facebook accounts for regular updates. Actively engaging with IFFA on social media helps to validate your involvement with the awards and could support your current or future visa applications by evidencing your professional connection with IFFA.