Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (10)

Festival start: 01 July 2025      Festival end: 31 July 2025

The Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (MDFF) is looking for a Melbourne-based or Melbourne-made feature documentary to either open or close our historic 10th edition. You can submit via Film Freeway or email us at info@mdff.org.au.

The festival has become a cultural phenomenon in Melbourne, with sold-out sessions and encores, ranking as one of Australia’s top film festivals. We aim to promote diverse, independent, and creative filmmakers, supporting global and local talent. MDFF has helped filmmakers reach major platforms.

MDFF is known for its commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and safety. We’ve had no reported COVID cases at our events for the last five years and have worked to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

This year, we're excited to host encores for popular short documentaries and have seen great success. We've also become the Film Freeway Top 100 Melbourne Film Festival and are ranked in the top global documentary festivals. We are especially proud to have had 7 documentaries eligible for the 2024 Oscars.

MDFF showcases documentaries that promote critical and independent thinking, debate, and diverse perspectives, with a focus on issues like human rights, equality, social issues, and freedom of speech. We have supported various causes, including BLM, Indigenous communities, and environmental organizations.

MDFF is an indie festival that helps filmmakers make their mark, offering opportunities for premieres, screenings, and networking with industry professionals. The festival takes place at Cinema Nova, one of Australia’s largest independent cinemas, and offers a fun, community-driven atmosphere.

We’re looking for local and international feature documentaries, short films, VR projects, video essays, and web series to compete in our Australian Documentary Awards. Submit your documentary to be part of this prestigious event and help us celebrate the best of the documentary genre.

Cash Prizes: 7,000$

Awards & Prizes
The Melbourne Documentary Film Festival features 22 competitive award categories, known as the Australian Documentary Awards. These are open to filmmakers worldwide and include:

Pool A – Short Awards

Supreme Jury Prize Short Documentary
Best International Short Documentary, Video Essay, or Web Series
Best Australian Short Documentary, Video Essay, or Web Series
Best Melbourne Short Documentary, Video Essay, or Web Series
Best VR / Interactive Documentary
Best Short Director – International
Best Short Director – Australia
Pool B – Feature Awards

Supreme Jury Prize Feature Documentary
Best International Documentary
Best Australian Documentary
Best Melbourne Documentary
Audience Choice – Feature
Best Music Documentary
Wild Card
Best Environmental Documentary
Best Emerging Director – Australia
Best Director – Australia
Best Director – International
Pool C – Documentary Photography Awards

Supreme Jury Prize Documentary Photograph
Best International Documentary Photograph
Best Australian Documentary Photograph
Best Documentary Photographer
Prizes:

Supreme Jury Prize (Feature): $1,500
Best Australian Short Documentary: $1,000
Best International Short Documentary: $1,000
Supreme Jury Prize – Photography: $500
Best Feature Director – Australia: $500
Other prizes TBA March 2025

Melbourne Documentary Film Festival – Submission Rules

General Info

Hybrid Event (2025): In-cinema and online screenings.

MDFF is independent from MIFF but supports the organization.

Deadline for Submissions: May 20 May 2025.

1. Submission Process

MDFF will review each submission based on the Eligibility Criteria.

MDFF reserves the right to accept or reject any submission, even if it meets the eligibility requirements.

No refunds will be issued for submission fees.
Successful applicants will be notified by late May/early June 2025.

If selected, applicants will receive an MDFF Screening Agreement. Films that do not agree to this will not be screened.

MDFF does not pay screening fees.


2. Eligibility

A submission must meet the following criteria:

Received by May 31, 2025.

Production started on or after January 1, 2013 but was completed by May 2025.

Never been released (DVD, online, or theatrically) before July 12, 2020, unless under specific exceptions like ABC, SBS, or NITV documentaries.

In English or with English subtitles.

Submission fee paid.

MDFF may adjust the festival format to online if required due to health and safety concerns (e.g., COVID-19).

3. Submission Platforms

Preferred submission via Festhome, or secure YouTube/Vimeo screeners.

4. Return of Materials

No returns for submitted materials. Do not submit originals.

5. Warranty

By submitting your film, you confirm:

You have the rights to submit the film.

It meets all Eligibility Criteria.

You have secured all necessary clearances and the film does not infringe third-party rights (e.g., copyright).

6. Technical Specifications

Feature/Short/Video Essay: DCP format, 24fps (not 25fps).

360/VR Docs:

Video: 4K resolution, 2:1 aspect ratio, 30fps.

Audio: Stereo (attached to video) or Spatial (separate .tbe file, 41kHz).

7. Film Category

One category per film: Choose the most appropriate category for submission. Films can be submitted twice over different years of the festival, but not multiple times in the same edition.

Good luck, filmmakers!