ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
A festival built for short film
Now in its 31st year, CSFF is one of Australia's longest running, competition-based short film festivals, and one of its most welcoming (see Filmfreeway reviews). Based in Canberra, we attract submissions from more than 50 countries and screen to audiences who show up because they love cinema.
When your film screens at CSFF, it is seen by an engaged, discerning audience, in a city where the arts are taken seriously. Filmmakers are not lost in the crowd here. Conversations happen. Connections are made.
We screen films that challenge, delight, and inspire. CSFF champions strong storytelling, clear vision, and originality, regardless of budget or scale.
We program films with something to say
We are looking for
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Films with a distinct point of view
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Stories that earn their ending
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Stories that are bold, funny, moving, or quietly observed - any voice, any genre.
31
Years Running
2025 statistics
535
Submissions
50+
Countries represented
200+
Films screened
How to submit your film
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Submissions open early every year.
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Submit via FilmFreeway.
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Bookmark CSFF in FilmFreeway to see next year's schedule and to be notified as soon as submissions are open.
Submissions for the 2026 Canberra Short Film Festival are now closed.
The festival screens in Canberra, 10 to 17 October 2026.