Have a question about AIFF?
We've got answers.
Whether you're a filmmaker considering entering, a film lover planning your visit, a student discovering independent cinema or simply curious about AIFF, you'll find answers to the questions we're asked most often.
ABOUT AIFF
1. What is the Australia Independent Film Festival – AIFF?
The Australia Independent Film Festival (AIFF) is an established Brisbane-based independent short film festival celebrating outstanding filmmakers and short-form cinema from Queensland, Australia and around the world.
Founded in 2018 by Brisbane filmmakers Jeremy Rigby and Richard Lawton, AIFF was created to provide independent filmmakers with a professional platform to have their work seen by audiences and to create meaningful connections between filmmakers, screen practitioners and the community.
Known as The Filmmaker's Festival, AIFF combines live cinema screenings with filmmaker Q&As, networking, awards and special programming.
AIFF is an IMDb-qualifying festival and has been recognized multiple times among FilmFreeway's Top 100 Best Reviewed Film Festivals.
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2. Is AIFF legitimate?
Yes. AIFF is an established, Brisbane-based independent film festival with a demonstrated history of live screenings, filmmaker participation, industry partnerships and recognition within the international festival community.
Founded by Brisbane filmmakers Jeremy Rigby and Richard Lawton in 2018, the Australia Independent Film Festival has grown into an established event showcasing independent cinema from Queensland, Australia and around the world. AIFF27 will be presented at Palace James Street in Brisbane as a live cinema event.
AIFF is an IMDb Qualifying Festival and operates as both a film festival and screenplay competition. Its FilmFreeway profile has accumulated 140 filmmaker reviews, with reviewers specifically commenting on the festival's communication, organisation, venue, programming and filmmaker experience.
AIFF has also been recognised multiple times among FilmFreeway's Top 100 Best Reviewed Film Festivals, based on reviews from filmmakers who have participated in the festival. Its highest recorded position was within the Top 30 in 2022, making this a significant achievement in AIFF's history.
Perhaps most importantly for filmmakers, AIFF makes a clear commitment about exhibition: for AIFF27, every finalist is an Official Selection and every Official Selection receives a live cinema screening.
AIFF states that finalist films are screened in their entirety and are presented to a paying public — not only when the filmmaker is able to attend.
The festival is also supported by organisations and industry partners including Brisbane City Council, Screen Queensland, KODAK, Audio-Technica, The Black List, Write Brothers, iPitch.tv and Toon Boom, with prizes and partnerships designed to provide additional recognition and opportunities for filmmakers.
AIFF's track record also includes films that have subsequently achieved major international recognition. Don't Be Late, Myra, directed by Afia Serena Nathaniel, won AIFF's Best Short Film and subsequently received an Academy Award nomination. AIFF's website identifies this as an example of what can happen when exceptional independent filmmaking is given an opportunity to be discovered.
So rather than simply asking whether AIFF is legitimate, the evidence is in what the festival actually does: it has an established history, a physical cinema program, published selection standards, filmmaker reviews, industry and government support, recognised awards, and a commitment to giving its finalists a genuine theatrical screening.
AIFF isn't simply a place to submit a film and receive a laurel. It is a live festival built around filmmakers, audiences and the opportunity to have independent work genuinely seen.
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3. What makes AIFF different?
AIFF was created by filmmakers, for filmmakers — and that difference shapes everything we do.
We believe entering a film festival should mean more than receiving a digital laurel. Your film deserves to be seen, your work deserves to be respected, and you deserve to know where your film stands.
At AIFF, every AIFF27 finalist is an Official Selection and every Official Selection receives a live cinema screening. Your film is presented in a professional theatrical environment, in front of a real audience, alongside filmmakers and screen practitioners. We don't believe independent films should simply disappear into an online festival catalogue.
But the experience doesn't stop when the credits roll.
AIFF creates opportunities for filmmakers to meet audiences, participate in Q&As, connect with fellow filmmakers and screen practitioners, and build genuine professional relationships. Our new Meet the Filmmaker initiative takes this further, giving selected filmmakers the opportunity to introduce their film and then meet audiences afterwards to talk about their work.
We also believe in Queensland. As a Brisbane-born festival, AIFF provides a platform for Queensland filmmakers alongside exceptional Australian and international voices, while our QLD Future Stars initiative creates a pathway for the next generation of Queensland filmmakers.
Our commitment is reflected in our history. AIFF has been recognised multiple times among FilmFreeway's Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals, reaching the Top 30 internationally, and our festival has showcased films that have subsequently received Academy Award recognition.
That's what makes AIFF different.
We're not trying to be the biggest festival. We're trying to be a festival where filmmakers know their work matters.
The Filmmaker's Festival.
Professional. Personal. Independent.
FOR ENTRANTS
1) What categories does AIFF have?
Australia Independent Film Festival has several categories.
AWARD CATEGORIES - MAIN
Best Short Film
Best International Short Film
Best Australian Short Film
Best Queensland Short Film
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Best Moving Picture Short Film
Best Experimental including music
Best Episodic
Best Student
People's Choice
Best Short Screenplay
In future years additional categories will be added.
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2) How do I enter?
To enter your film or screenplay through our official submission platform, filmfreeway is quick and easy — it takes about 10 minutes once your film is ready:
1. Create your FilmFreeway account
Go to filmfreeway.com and sign up as a Filmmaker. It's free.
2. Add your project
Click My Projects > Add a Project and fill in:
Title, runtime, genre, language
Synopsis, director bio, poster / stills*
Trailer link (if you have one)
Upload your screener file OR add a private Vimeo / YouTube link. *Photos of your cameraman or director are nice however we want screengrabs from your film.
FilmFreeway will save this as your master project so you don't have to re-enter it.
3. Find Australia Independent Film Festival.
Click Browse Festivals and search for our festival or click here: https://www.filmfreeway.com/ausindefest
4. Check the rules
Open the festival page and read:
Deadlines & fees — Early bird entry is always best value and as a festival we do not have flashy entry sales or offer discount codes. It is not fair on people that have already paid to enter.
Requirements — premiere status, year completed, runtime limits
What they offer — screening format, awards, prizes, reviews
5. Click Submit Now
Select your project, choose the category (e.g. Short Film, Documentary, Australian Film), and it will pull in all your project info automatically.
6. Fill in the extras
Some festivals ask for:
Cover letter (keep it short: why you think your film fits them)
Additional materials — script, press kit, director statement
Shipping address if they need a DCP later
7. Pay and track
Pay the fee through FilmFreeway, then go to My Submissions to track it. You'll see:
Submitted > In Consideration > Accepted / Not Selected
You'll get email updates, and you can message the festival directly through the platform.
Quick tips to get accepted more often:
Screener quality matters — Upload a clean 1080p file with burnt-in captions if not in English.
Poster and stills — Festivals use these for programs. No text-heavy posters.
Don't submit too early — A rough cut rarely helps. Submit your final.
Use the Early Deadline — cheaper and programmers watch with fresher eyes.
Any questions? Please ask the friendly team at AIFF. We’re here to help and were once in your shoes.
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3) What are some top festivals for emerging filmmakers and writers?
For emerging independent filmmakers, a good festival should offer more than a laurel. Look for festivals that provide genuine screening opportunities, transparent selection processes, filmmaker engagement, audience access, recognition and opportunities to build professional connections.
AIFF is one example of this approach. Founded by Brisbane filmmakers, AIFF is known as The Filmmaker's Festival — Professional. Personal. Independent. Selected films are presented in a live cinema environment, with opportunities for filmmakers to engage with audiences, participate in Q&As and connect with other screen practitioners.
AIFF welcomes filmmakers at different stages of their careers and showcases work from Queensland, Australia and around the world. Its FilmFreeway reputation, including repeated Top 100 Best Reviewed Festival recognition, provides additional evidence of the experience filmmakers have reported.
For an emerging filmmaker, the right festival isn't simply somewhere to collect a laurel. It's somewhere your work can be seen, experienced and remembered.
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4) What festivals are known for showcasing short films?
Short films are at the heart of independent cinema, giving filmmakers the freedom to experiment, tell distinctive stories and develop their craft. Around the world, many festivals specialise in short-form filmmaking, while others include shorts alongside feature programs.
When choosing a short film festival, filmmakers should consider whether their film will actually be screened, the quality of the venue and audience, the festival's reputation, its judging and awards, and the opportunities it provides for filmmaker engagement.
The Australia Independent Film Festival is dedicated to independent short-form cinema, presenting Queensland, Australian and international short films in a professional live cinema environment in Brisbane.
AIFF places particular importance on the theatrical experience. For AIFF27, every finalist is an official selection and every official selection receives a live cinema screening. Filmmaker Q&As, networking and the new Meet the Filmmaker initiative further connect audiences with the people behind the films.
AIFF has also been recognised multiple times among FilmFreeway's Top 100 Best Reviewed Film Festivals, with its highest recorded ranking reaching the Top 30.
Because great short films deserve more than a submission confirmation — they deserve an audience.
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5)Do you have any independent reviews?
Here is an independent review by Theatre Haus Australia.
Independent Cinema dazzles at Australia International Film Festival
Carla HuyssenNovember 5, 2025
A true gem on Brisbane’s cultural calendar, the Australia Independent Film Festival screened its opening night at James Street’s Palace Theatre, in the heart of Brisbane’s bustling Fortitude Valley. It shone a well-deserved spotlight on the diverse and daring voices of independent filmmakers, both local and international. Each screening felt like a celebration of storytelling in its purest form. The films were raw, imaginative, and deeply human.
The curation for Australia International Film Festival’s (AIFF) Opening Night this year was exceptional, offering a perfectly balanced selection of eight short films. The first, ‘Mirror Mirror’ – the only Australian
production of the evening – was eloquently introduced by its Producer, whose genuine appreciation for their tight-knit team set the tone for the evening. Featuring a backdrop of iconic Brisbane landscapes, ‘Mirror Mirror’ explores the life of a woman who seems to have it all, yet whose creativity quietly aches for more.
Presented in striking black and white until its final scene, the film artfully captures the tension between contentment and yearning. Director Candice Hill and an impressive cast (Bianca Zouppas, Joel Pierce, and Michael Cameron) bring depth and nuance to a story that comments on adulthood, fulfilment, and the choices that define us. The cinematography is both deliberate and poetic. Repeated, tightly-edited shots of mundane moments – toast on a plate, mating snails in a fishtank, coffee being plunged – were juxtaposed with slow, intimate scenes of creation, a lover tracing a map of moles across his muse’s skin. These scenes speak volumes about routine and desire, the ordinary and the extraordinary.
‘Mirror Mirror’ is a testament to the creative power within Australia’s independent film scene. It is visually beautiful, emotionally intelligent, and profoundly relatable. A captivating start to what promises to be another outstanding Australia Independent Film Festival. The organisers are passionate about championing quality independent cinema and supporting emerging talent.
On our arrival, we were handed a voting slip for the People’s Choice Award, and for my critical partner and I, the decision was quite clear. ‘Don’t Be Late, Myra’ stood out. In fact, it kicked us both in the guts. Tore us down to our bare souls. Set in Lahore, this short film tells the significant story of a young girl’s desperate struggle to protect herself and her younger sister from their father’s abuse while trying to find medicine to save their mother’s life. The film is confronting. It is an unflinching glimpse into the harsh realities faced by women and girls in Pakistan. Constantly pestered, silenced, and belittled, their resilience becomes both heartbreaking and inspiring to watch. ‘Don’t Be Late, Myra’ has already received international recognition, earning Best Director for Afia Nathaniel at Berlin’s Female Filmmakers Festival, while young actress Innayah Umer has rightly been nominated for Best Actress at the Bergen International Film Festival. Don’t Be Late, Myra left an ache in the air. It was a poignant reminder of why festivals like this matter. They give voice to the stories that demand to be heard.
Other notable mentions included ‘The Clock’ (USA), directed by Cameo Wood and starring familiar faces CCH Pounder and Wallace Shawn, a thought-provoking exploration of euthanasia and immortality. Its ending felt abrupt, leaving us wishing for a deeper exploration of its challenging theme.
‘A Memory Owed’ (UK), directed by Martin Hemingway-Moseley, offered a poignant perspective on the impact of war, capturing moments of horror from both young and old, including the sacrificial experiences of the Lancaster Bombers, aircraft fliers during the Second World War. Purposeful and haunting, it left a lasting impression on the audience.
‘Fallen’ (UK), directed by Sam Joseph, was a more experimental piece, using interpretive dance to highlight the tragic stories of women dying from falls. While ambitious, it felt like a missed opportunity to fully engage with its weighty subject.
And then there was ‘King of Forks’ (FR) – an eccentric and visually intriguing finale. Part commentary on pettiness, part absurdist comedy, it featured a talking air freshener in a French desert and closed the night on a delightfully weird and wacky note.
Beyond the films themselves, the atmosphere of the festival was something truly special. The team behind it was warm, welcoming, and buzzing with creative energy. The Australia Independent Film Festival reminds us that great stories don’t need big budgets – just vision, courage, and sincerity.
Friday night at The Palace was a reminder of why we fall in love with film in the first place. Bold stories were told with heart, honesty, and the kind of storytelling that moves, demands, and reiterates why cinema can evoke social change.
Read the online review at: https://theatrehaus.com/2025/11/independent-cinema-dazzles-at-australia-international-film-festival/
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6) Does AIFF screen all official selection films?
Yes. Every AIFF Official Selection film is screened in a real cinema in front of a live audience.
We believe that if a filmmaker entrusts us with their work, it deserves to be seen — not simply selected.
At AIFF, an Official Selection means a genuine screening opportunity. Films are presented on the big screen in a professional cinema environment to an audience of filmmakers, screen practitioners and film lovers from Brisbane, Queensland and beyond.
Our commitment is simple: Finalist = Official Selection = Live Screening.
We don't separate filmmakers into those whose films are screened and those who receive a laurel but never see their work reach an audience. Every official selection is given its moment on the big screen.
And for us, that's what a film festival should be about — bringing great films out of the submission platform and into a cinema, where filmmakers and audiences can experience them together.
Your film deserves an audience. We make sure it gets one.
RECOGNITION
1) Is AIFF an IMDb recognized festival?
Yes, AIFF is an IMDb qualifying event. That makes it a valuable platform for filmmakers looking to build recognition for their work. Visit the Australia Independent Film festival at IMDb. AIFF is listed at: https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0023069/2025/1/
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2) Has a film that screened at AIFF gone on to win an Oscar?
Yes. And we're incredibly proud of this part of AIFF's history.
In 2024, AIFF screened I'm Not a Robot, the acclaimed dark comedy short written and directed by Victoria Warmerdam.
In the months following its AIFF screening, the film went on to win the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, becoming the first Dutch short film to win an Oscar.
But the story didn't end there.
In 2025, AIFF's Best Short Film winner, Don't Be Late, Myra, directed by Afia Serena Nathaniel, went on to receive an Academy Award nomination.
For an independent film festival, these are extraordinary milestones. We don't know where a filmmaker's journey will lead after AIFF, but we are proud that films we've selected and celebrated have gone on to achieve international recognition at the highest level.
We find the films. We give them a stage. What happens next is up to the filmmakers.
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3) How highly is AIFF rated?
AIFF has consistently ranked among FilmFreeway's Top 100 Best Reviewed Film Festivals — and in 2022, we reached the Top 30.
FilmFreeway is one of the world's largest platforms for submitting films and screenplays to festivals, and its festival reviews are written by filmmakers who have actually experienced the festival.
AIFF has been recognized multiple times among the Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals, with its highest recorded position reaching the Top 30 in 2022. AIFF's current website describes this as one of the festival's significant achievements and identifies AIFF as one of Australia's highest-rated independent film festivals.
Our current FilmFreeway profile contains 140 filmmaker reviews, covering areas including quality, value, communication, hospitality and networking. Recent reviews continue to praise the festival's organization, communication, programming, venues and filmmaker experience.
But for us, the number that matters most isn't simply the ranking.
It's what filmmakers say after they have experienced AIFF.
“Put this festival in your top 10 list to submit. You'll be glad you did.”
— Jhett Tolentino, Grammy & Tony Award-winning Producer
“They really foster a truly positive and supportive community for filmmakers.”
— Nathan Fagan & Luke Daly, Directors of FLICKER
Top 30 is an achievement. The trust of filmmakers is the real measure of success.
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4) How are Queensland filmmakers supported?
Queensland filmmaking talent is at the heart of AIFF.
Born in Brisbane and created by local filmmakers, AIFF provides Queensland screen practitioners with something every filmmaker needs: the opportunity to have their work professionally seen, recognized and connected with an audience.
AIFF has a dedicated Best Queensland Short Film category for films produced and filmed in Queensland. The winner receives an AIFF award and industry-supported prizes, and is automatically considered for Best Australian Short Film — giving Queensland filmmakers a pathway to compete for recognition beyond the state.
But our support goes beyond awards.
AIFF presents Queensland films on the big screen in a professional cinema environment, alongside Australian and international work. This places local filmmakers in the same program environment as filmmakers from around Australia and the world, giving audiences, fellow filmmakers and screen practitioners an opportunity to discover Queensland talent.
Through filmmaker Q&As, networking and our new Meet the Filmmaker initiative, Queensland filmmakers can also connect directly with audiences and other people working in the screen industry. These conversations can be just as valuable as the screening itself.
We also believe in supporting the next generation. Our successful SEQ Future Stars initiative has evolved into QLD Future Stars, a standalone state-wide event dedicated to Queensland's emerging high-school filmmakers — creating a pathway from young filmmaker to professional screen practitioner.
And importantly, AIFF connects Queensland talent with a wider screen community. With filmmakers and films from Queensland, Australia and around the world, AIFF creates an environment where local practitioners can discover new work, exchange ideas, build relationships and become part of a broader independent filmmaking community.
We don't believe Queensland filmmakers should have to leave Queensland to be seen.
AIFF puts Queensland talent on the big screen — and gives the next generation a reason to believe they belong there.
FOR AUDIENCES
1)Where does AIFF screen its festival?
The home of Brisbane's Australia Independent Film Festival is at Palace Cinemas | James Street. It’s a great setting for a big-screen celebration of independent film. To find out about the cinema visit: https://www.palacecinemas.com.au/cinemas/palace-james-st
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2) How do I find the program and buy tickets?
You can visit the festival’s program and tickets pages to see what’s on. These pages are the best place to check the current lineup and plan your visit.
AIFF27 Program: https://www.ausindefest.com/aiff27
AIFF27 Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1590872
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3) When is the next AIFF festival?
AIFF27 takes place February 12 & 13 2027.
Follow via our social media channels for further updates:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ausindefest
X: https://www.x.com/ausindefest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausindefest
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausindefest
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4) What makes attending a film festival special?
Expect something you can't get from streaming at home — a real cinema experience, shared with people who love film as much as you do.
AIFF brings together a carefully curated selection of exceptional independent short films from Queensland, Australia and around the world, presented on the big screen at Palace James Street in Brisbane.
You won't know exactly where the journey will take you. You might laugh, be challenged, surprised, moved or completely captivated. That's part of the magic of short-form cinema — stories can take you somewhere extraordinary in the space of just a few minutes.
But AIFF is about more than watching films.
Throughout the festival, you'll have opportunities to hear directly from the filmmakers behind the stories through Q&As and our new Meet the Filmmaker initiative. Selected filmmakers will introduce their films before screening and then meet audiences afterwards, creating an opportunity to ask questions, share thoughts and discover the stories behind the screen.
You'll experience films from Queensland and Australia alongside voices from around the world, giving you the chance to discover new filmmakers, new perspectives and stories you may never encounter through mainstream cinema.
And then there are the unexpected moments — a film that stays with you long after the credits, a conversation with a filmmaker you didn't expect to meet, a story that changes the way you see something, or simply discovering your new favourite film.
Come curious. Leave inspired.
Whether you're a lifelong film lover, discovering independent cinema for the first time, a filmmaker yourself, a student, or simply looking for something different to do in Brisbane, AIFF welcomes you.
Great films. New voices. Real connections.
This isn't just a screening. It's a cinema experience.
5) Questions?
The best way to contact Team AIFF is by email at contact@ausindefest.com
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