Welcome to the Sydney Film Festival Guide, your go-to for all the city’s cinematic celebrations. Explore the world and its culture through these international premieres from Palestine to Japan, short films and animations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy year-round. Whether you’re a film buff or just looking for a fun night out, our guide to Sydney’s best film festivals has you covered.
January – March
FLiCKERFEST
Showcasing the best in local talent, Australia’s only Academy and BAFTA Qualifying short film festival highlights compelling narratives from around the country. At this year’s opening night, the festival premiered Ngurrawaana, a powerful three-minute film by Yindjibarndi director Wimiya Woodley. The film offers an immersive journey of self-discovery as Woodley returns to his ancestral lands. Through his personal story, Ngurrawaana illuminates the deep connection between country and identity, revealing how returning to one’s roots can help rediscover ancestral strength and spirit.
When: January 19 – 28
Queer Screen Mardi Gras Film Festival
The Queer Screen Mardi Gras Film Festival celebrates the diversity of sexualities and gender identities through vibrant queer storytelling. At this year’s Sydney Premiere, the festival featured Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, a coming-of-age film based on Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s acclaimed novel. Set in late 1980s Texas, the story follows lonely Mexican-American teen Aristotle, who meets his polar opposite, Dante, at a local swimming pool. Their chance encounter sparks a deep bond, leading to a heartwarming journey of friendship and self-discovery, beautifully portrayed through the natural chemistry between the two leads.
When: January 15 – 29
Europa! Europe Film Festival
Europa! Europa offers national audiences a kaleidoscopic glimpse into the diverse experiences of a continent and its people, blending aesthetic visuals, vibrant storytelling, and community engagement. A standout film in the festival is Homecoming, a coming-of-age drama that explores themes of race, class, and guilt set against the backdrop of a seaside summer. The film follows protagonists Jessica and Farah as they navigate the complexities of first love, mischief, and temptation.
When: February 15 – March 11
The Française French Film Festival
Recently celebrating its 35th year, the Alliance Française French Film Festival has long been a showcase for the finest in French cinema, known for its profound simplicity and relatable humanity. This year’s standout film, Intouchables, was voted by the audience to be screened in Sydney. The film is a boldly honest and hilarious exploration of the friendship between a wealthy paraplegic and his immigrant caregiver.
When: March 5 – April 9
Palestinian Film Festival of Australia
The Palestinian Film Festival Australia celebrates the diversity and innovation of Palestinian cinema from around the globe. In its 12th edition in 2024, the festival continues to highlight the beauty and resilience of Palestinian life, art, and culture. A standout film, Bethlehem 2001, explores the memories of a young Palestinian recalling his childhood during the military invasion and siege of Bethlehem in 2001, amidst the second Intifada. As he seeks to understand how his parents guided him through those challenging times, he hopes to find the strength and support he needs to face the present.
When: March 7 – March 10
Australia Women’s Film Festival (AWFF)
AWFF is a short film festival dedicated to supporting, encouraging, and celebrating female storytellers by providing them with a platform to showcase their talents both on screen and behind the scenes. These films, all of which pass the Bechdel Test, have a strong female focus. In 2022, the festival featured Phoebe Tonkin, known for her roles in the iconic Aussie TV show H2O: Just Add Water and the internationally acclaimed drama The Vampire Diaries, as a judge on the panel.
When: Unconfirmed dates, usually March.
South Asian Film Festival in Australia (SAFFA)
SAFFA aims to showcase features, documentaries, and shorts from filmmakers based in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and the Maldives, as well as the South Asian diaspora globally. The festival seeks to use cinema as a bridge, bringing film lovers from across Australia and South Asia closer together. With many South Asian films, specifically India and Pakistan bagging several awards at Cannes, Sundance and Oscars in recent years, SAFFA provides an opportunity for people to enjoy independent films and documentaries.
When: Unconfirmed dates, usually the end of March.
April – June
The Spanish Film Festival
The Spanish Film Festival is lighting up the cinema screen with a fine selection of the newest and classic films from Spain and Latin America. In Sydney last year they premiered a heartfelt film The Teacher Who Promised the Sea set in 1935, following a teacher who is hired by a small isolated village in Burgos, Spain. We follow the story of him and his students between the ages of six and twelve and the pursuit of his promise: he will take them to see the sea for the first time in their lives.
When: Unconfirmed dates, usually May/June.
South African Film Festival
The South African Film Festival is set to feature South African films and films by South African directors. Featuring at the event is a short film Father’s Day which is about a 12 year old boy who is raised by a single mother. Following along on his journey from preparing a speech for a Father’s Day school event to his search out in the world to finding his Father. Opening a can of worms he never thought to discover.
When: Unconfirmed dates, usually in May.
Sydney Film Festival (SFF)
The Sydney Film Festival offers a stage for emerging talent and established filmmakers from diverse cultural backgrounds whose viewpoints might otherwise go unseen. There’s never been a better time for us to listen to one another, and to experience the sheer multiplicity of voices across the more than 200 films from 69 countries that SFF will present this year. One of the award winning films The Moogai a psychological horror movie from Jon Bell explores the
When successful city lawyer Sarah (Shari Sebbens) and husband Fergus (Meyne Wyatt) become parents for the second time, their joy is short-lived. Lurking in the shadows is a whispering creature that wants to steal their baby.
When: June 5-16
Southwest Asian and North African Film Festival (SWANA)
The Southwest Asian and North African Film Festival is an epic 3-day event showcasing over 20 films spanning across Iraq, Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Armenia, and Syria. SWANA Film Festival is a project of Arts & Cultural Exchange (ACE), supported by Screen NSW, City of Parramatta and Arab Theatre Studio.
When: Unconfirmed dates, usually around the end of June.
July – August
African Film Fest Australia
The African film Festival Australia is a community driven film festival that presents films from Africa, its diaspora and Afro Australian filmmakers. The three day festival will showcase the depth and complexity of African heritage, curated and coordinated by African-Australians, and offer attendees a unique and genuine perspective of African stories and the chance for audiences to immerse themselves in the vibrant world of African cinema.
When: Unconfirmed dates, usually around July/August.
Scandinavian Film Festival
The Scandinavian Film Festival shares the best films from Scandinavia (Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland). In 2024 they premiered the movie The Riot in Sydney at the Palace Cinema in Moore Park. The movie explores the real life events depicting the escalation of tensions leading to the Sulis uprising of 1907 that changed Norway forever.
When: July 24 – August 14
Taiwan Film Festival
The Taiwan Film Festival in Australia is an annual film festival event to provide a professional showcase platform for Taiwanese and Asian Australian filmmakers to promote their works in Australia. The event will (a) provide local Taiwan residents with the opportunity to enjoy artistic works from their home heritage and culture, and (b) create an artistic platform to expose and promote Taiwanese and Asian Australian cultures to people from other cultural groups. This year the event will be taking place at Sydney Event Cinemas on George St.
When: July 24 – September 14
Korean Film Festival in Australia (KOFFIA)
KOFFIA 2024 features a stellar line-up of Australian Premieres from Korea’s top filmmakers, spanning genres like Thriller, Crime, Rom-com, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Family, Comedy, and Action. Each film offers a unique cinematic experience that showcases the best of Korean cinema.
When: Unconfirmed, usually around August/September
Lebanese film festival
The Lebanese film festival welcomes their 12th edition program to Australia this year. They are committed to highlighting Lebanese cinema and challenging misconceptions about Lebanon, its people, culture and traditions. Their renowned film program and nationwide events, especially in Western Sydney, emphasise Bankstown as a lively and diverse city centre, showcasing the best of Lebanese storytelling.
When: August 15 – August 31
September – October
St. Ali Italian Film Festival
St. Ali Italian Film Festival, showcases the best of Italian cinema, from Italy and by Italian directors.
When: Unconfirmed dates, usually in September/October.
Japanese Film Festival (JFFA)
The Japanese Film Festival Australia (JFF) is presented by The Japan Foundation, Sydney. The JFF started in 1997 with three free film screenings and is now one of the largest celebrations of Japanese films in the world. 2024 marks the 28th year of JFF Australia. You can watch this year’s line up of films at various locations in Sydney such as Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park and Art Gallery of NSW.
When: October 9 – November 10
Sydney Latino Film Festival
The Sydney Latin American Film Festival has been the cornerstone for Latin American cinema and culture in Sydney since 2006. They are a not for profit organisation and funds raised from ticket sales are injected into social justice, environmental and community development organisations in Latin America and Australia. Over the past 12 years, their Community Support Program has raised more than $120,000.
When: Unconfirmed dates, usually around October.
Irish Film Festival Australia
The Irish Film Festival is Australia’s finest source of innovative, quality film that showcases the culture, traditions, history and character of Ireland and the Irish people. Since 2015 IFF has gone from strength to strength to premiere moving dramas, inspiring documentaries, eerie horror, darkly funny comedies and captivating family films to become the country’s biggest celebration of Irish culture, language, music and history alongside St Patrick’s Day.
When: October 17 – 20
November – December
Jewish International Film Festival
The Jewish International Film Festival is the home of the most comprehensive selection of Jewish-themed films in Australia. Each year, our selection premieres in cinemas nationally at our annual festival, which builds on the proud history of Jewish film culture in Australia.
When: Unconfirmed dates, usually in October.
Cunard British Film Festival
The Cunard British Film Festival showcases the best British feature films and shorts, celebrating the UK’s filmmakers and actors. This festival highlights the depth and talent of British cinema, providing a stage for both established and emerging filmmakers
When:Unconfirmed dates, usually in November.
Persian Film Festival
The Persian Film Festival celebrates its 11th anniversary this year. The program will include an official competition in feature, documentary and short film categories where the festival jury will present the Golden Gazelle Award to the best film in each section. The festival will open in Sydney at the Palace Norton Street in Leichhardt and will tour to other major Australian capitals. Free main street parking available after 7pm, the main street parking metres on Norton Street are turned off after 7pm, as well as a number of side streets.
When: November 28 – December 8
