Film Submissions For The 2026 Sydney Film Festival Are Open Now
Image: Photo: State Theatre/Sydney Film Festival
This is an important announcement for all filmmakers who are planning to submit their films into next year’s 73rd Sydney Film Festival (SFF) so they can be in the running for a substantial prize pool worth $200,000 – entries are now open!
Submitting films to the SFF can be transformational for filmmakers, where they can gain exposure, feedback and networking opportunities with industry professionals. This can also lead to distribution deals and career advancement. An added bonus is that this is an Academy Award-qualifying festival.
The SFF returns to cinemas from 3-14 June 2026 and it’s important for serious contenders to remember that the deadline for all submissions including those for the First Nations Award is on the 27th of February 2026.
The prize pool includes the $60,000 Sydney Film Prize and the world’s largest environment film prize of $40,000 with the Sustainable Future Award. The $35,000 First Nations Award on offer is also the world’s largest cash prize for First Nations Filmmaking.
“For more than 70 years, Sydney Film Festival has been a stage for filmmakers to share bold visions with audience’s eager for discovery,” said Sydney Film Festival Director Nashen Moodley. “Each year the festival presents stories that entertain, challenge and inspire, and we look forward to the remarkable films that will shape the 2026 program.”
Following is a list of the categories and prizes:
The 2026 Festival will once again celebrate the Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films, Australia’s longest-running short film competition. Prizes include:
- Dendy Live Action Short Award for best Australian short film ($7,000)
- Rouben Mamoulian Award for best Australian short film director ($7,000)
- Yoram Gross Animation Award for best Australian animated short film ($7,000)
- AFTRS Craft Award recognising excellence by a craft practitioner in an Australian short film ($7,000)
- Event Cinemas Rising Talent Award for Screenwriting, presented to an emerging screenwriter from one of the ten shortlisted films ($7,000)
International short films are also invited to submit under categories, including:
- FLUX: Art+Film (under 15 minutes)
- Freak Me Out (under 15 minutes)
Feature films and documentary submissions of any length are open across the festival program, including:
- Australian Features (Fiction)
- International Features
- Documentary Australia Award ($20,000)
- Sydney Film Festival First Nations Award ($35,000 courtesy of Truant Pictures)
- Sustainable Future Award ($40,000 courtesy of donor support)
- Screenability Program for filmmakers living with disability
All feature-length films selected for the Festival are also considered for inclusion in the Official Competition, competing for the Sydney Film Prize ($60,000).
Before entering, filmmakers are strongly encouraged to review eligibility requirements, including premiere status. Submission fees apply to all programs and awards, except for Screenability and First Nations programs, which are fee-waived.
For full eligibility criteria and submission details, you can visit filmfreeway.com/SydneyFilmFestival.
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