AUSTRALIA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
The Story So Far
The Australia Independent Film Festival was founded in February 2018 by Brisbane filmmakers Richard Lawton and Jeremy Rigby. They had a shared dream of creating a film festival built on trust, openness and communication that would showcase and celebrate the very best in independent cinema and screenplays from around the world.
In March that year the festival opened for entries. By the end of the submission period the festival had received a massive array of submissions from over 20 countries.
METRO ARTS WEST END BRISBANE
25 - 27 October 2024
The Australia Independent Film Festival is an annual Australian film festival that was founded in February 2018 by Brisbane filmmakers Richard Lawton and Jeremy Rigby. They had a shared dream of creating a film festival built on trust, openness and communication that would showcase and celebrate the very best in independent cinema from Australia and around the world.
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"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. We can't wait to call lights, camera, and action on aiff24"
Jeremy Rigby & Richard Lawton AIFF Co-Founders.
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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. The Team at AIFF feel Metro Arts is without a doubt one of the coolest venues in Australia within one of Australia's coolest art hubs.
FIVE STARS
"We wish this great festival all the success", Ali Mohammed Saeed director OF 2019 Oscar nominated Mosul 980 and winner of AIFF19 Best International Short Film - iRAQ.
FIVE STARS
"Thank you for a well organized festivaL", Dekel berenson director of 2020 academy nominated short film anna and winner of aiff20 best international short film - 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 longlist qualifying short film FLICKER and winner of aiff20 best international short film – Ireland.
In 2019, 2021, 2022 and AGAIN in 2023 aiff was contacted by FilmFreeway to announce that festival entrant reviews had placed the AIFF within the prestigious top 100 out of over 7000 listed festivals. THIS IS AN AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT for an Australian film festival. IN 2022 AIFF Ranked in the top 30 and possibly the highest an Australian film festival has ranked.
The Australia Independent Film Festival proudly acknowledge the First Peoples – the Traditional Owners of the lands where we live and work, and we recognize their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging – and acknowledge the important role Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islanders continue to play within the film industry and our community. We are an inclusive festival that encourage and support entries from people of all races, beliefs, and backgrounds.
Jhett Tolentino, Grammy & Tony Award Winning Broadway Producer.
“Put this festival in your top 10 list to submit. You’ll be glad you did."