CCFF only accept film submissions on FilmFreeway. We cannot consider any project that has not been officially submitted through FilmFreeway. Films that are submitted via email or social media will not be considered.

Please check out FilmFreeway’s help pages for information on submitting to festivals. Please use an email address that is regularly checked in case we need to contact you during the selection process.

Films submitted on Film Freeway through vimeo should be password protected and available for the team to access until the end of September 2025.

Central Coast Film Festival accepts films of all genres. What is important to our team is that your story reflects your voice, interests or experience. Whether you are into horror films, dramas or musicals we want to see the best expression of your individual passions.

To allow for films of a similiar canvas to compete against eachother, we have decided to split films into four lengths:

1) Microshorts (Under 5 Minutes)

2) Shorts (5 - 20 minutes)

3) Featurettes (20 - 40 Minutes)

4) Features (40 + Minutes)

Each grouping is further broken down into International Films, Australian Films, Central Coast Films and Documentary (e.g Australian Featurette or Documentary Featurette). If your film was shot on the Central Coast, features the Central Coast as a setting or story point or you are a Central Coast resident you can submit it in the "Central Coast" categories. Films shot in Australia, created by a majority Australian crew or with at least 51% Australian funding, can submit in the Australian categories.

There are also separate categories for animated films (all lengths inclusive), student films, music videos, First Nations filmmakers, student filmmakers, under 18 year old filmmakers and experimental films (sub ten minutes).

If you have any questions about categories please reach out!.

Films selected for the festival will be required to submit a DCP (Digital Cinema Package) for screenings. DCPs can be created using most editing softwares or using https://dcpomatic.com/

A DCP will help to ensure the film screens in the aspect ratio and format you intended, while making our projectionist’s life a whole lot easier.

We prefer films to be submitted to the festival in their completed form, however if there are still some small final changes that have to be made (e.g colour grading, final VFXs or sound design) please list these items on a card at the beginning of the film. WIP films are only accepted before the regular deadline (June 1st).

Outside of the international categories international filmmakers can also submit to the animation, music video, experimental, student & documentary categories.

If your film was shot on the Central Coast, features the Central Coast as a setting or story point or you are a Central Coast resident you can submit it in the "Central Coast" categories. In 2024, 85% of audiences reported the festival gave them a greater awareness of local filmmakers.

Yes, filmmakers who submit to the festival are required to and in charge of clearing their own materials. Our team is unable to assist in these matters.

Films submitted to the festival must have been completed within the last two calender years.

Reach out to the team via email at info@centralcoastfilmfestival.com as soon as possible!

We have done our best to offer affordable pricing for all our categories. FilmFreeway gold members are able to get an additional 10% off.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide discount codes in addition to these numbers unless the filmmaker is in a region where they can not pay due to political reasons outside of their control.