Celebrating 'True-Indie' Filmmaking & Connecting Global Talent
The Sydney Lift-Off Film Festival is the Network’s home for Australian filmmaking, and it pulls a strong base of local talent. We used to run Melbourne as well, but merged the two so Australian filmmakers get one focused festival instead of a divided scene.
It’s made for filmmakers near the start: first and second films, shorts, low-budget features, work with something to say. Australia’s indie voice travels well, and Sydney is where it meets the rest of the Network.
Selected films screen online to a global audience, with in-person and online networking alongside, so you build contacts at home and abroad. The best Sydney films are shortlisted for the Lift-Off Season Awards, judged across all 12 city festivals each year.
Sydney Lift-Off Season #17 screens this September 2026. Submissions are now open on FilmFreeway. Selected films get an online screening to a global audience, and entry to the festival’s networking events. Standout films get a place in the Sydney Network Round, and winners are shortlisted for the 17th Lift-Off Season Awards.
Recent Winners
Festival Events
Each festival hosts a series of online and in-person events, connecting filmmaking talent across the globe
Focus Group Feedback
Meet fellow filmmakers, exchange feedback and discuss your projects. Focus Group participants attend an online meeting to pitch their work before participating in the Feedback Session.
In-Person Networking Speeddate
Join us in the city for a showcase & networking event held in conjunction with the festival’s online screenings. Attendees chat to everyone in the room in a 'speed-date' style networking session.
Online Networking SpeedDate
Pitch your future projects or share previous work. Attendees can screen a trailer or pitch deck before meeting with everyone in a 'speed-date' style network session.
Questions?
Once a year, as part of the Lift-Off season. Screenings & events run in September.
Emerging independent filmmakers, especially first and second-time directors working in shorts and low-budget features.
Films screen online to a global audience, with in-person networking in Sydney alongside the festival.
Through FilmFreeway: Click here.
Winning films are shortlisted for the Lift-Off Season Awards, judged at the end of the season across all 12 city festivals.