Call for Submissions
The 2nd Asian Art Film Festival (AAFF), an international art-cinema festival based in Macau, China, is currently inviting Australian feature films to be considered for a dedicated Australian spotlight as part of its 2026 edition.
For this spotlight, the festival’s programming team will curate up to five Australian feature films (70+ minutes) to be internally recommended to the AAFF selection committee. These films will receive priority viewing and in-depth discussion during the festival’s programming process, with the aim of introducing more Australian voices to Asian and Chinese cinema audiences.
The initiative is coordinated from Australia by filmmaker Hewen Kevin Qian from INCHFILM, who serves as Australian Selections Coordinator for the 2nd Asian Art Film Festival.
“We hope this spotlight can open another pathway for Australian filmmakers — especially those working in independent and auteur-driven cinema — to connect with audiences, critics and programmers in Asia,” says Qian. “There is a rich conversation between Australian and Asian cinema that we would like to continue and expand.”
AAFF is particularly interested in recent works that explore bold visual languages, personal or political perspectives, and innovative storytelling forms. Both fiction and creative documentary features are eligible. Films do not need to be produced in Australia, but at least one key creative (director, writer, or producer) must be Australian.
Key eligibility
● Running time: minimum 70 minutes
● Premiere date: on or after 1 July 2024
● Nationality: at least one of the director, writer or producer is Australian
● Format: narrative or documentary feature
● Rights: the applicant must be the legitimate copyright holder (or authorised representative) and able to provide relevant documentation upon request.
Once a film has been officially accepted into the festival’s programme, the filmmaker agrees not to withdraw the film from the line-up.
How to submit
Filmmakers and producers can submit their films in either of the following ways:
Option 1 – Australian spotlight (internal recommendation path)
Submissions for the Australian spotlight are free of charge and handled directly through the Australian Selections Coordinator. Please email:
● Screener link (preferably password-protected Vimeo)
● Press Kit
● Short synopsis (150–200 words)
● Director‘s Statement
● Main credits and key creative biographies
● Country/year of production and premiere information
● Contact details
Submissions for the Australian spotlight close on 31 December 2025. The overall festival submission deadline is 31 January 2026.
Materials and enquiries should be sent to:
Kevin Hewen Qian
INCHFILM
Australian Selections Coordinator – 2nd Asian Art Film Festival
(on behalf of INCHFILM)
aaff.australia@gmail.com
For more information about the festival, visit: www.aaff.org.mo
Option 2 – General festival submission via FilmFreeway
Filmmakers may also submit their films directly to the festival through FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/aaf
The overall festival submission deadline is 31 January 2026. Please follow the guidelines and terms listed on the FilmFreeway page.
About the Asian Art Film Festival
The Asian Art Film Festival (Asian Art Film Festival, abbreviated as AAFF) is approved by the relevant authorities of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government.
It is jointly presented by the Asian Art Film Festival Association and the Macao International Art Film Association.
As one of the region’s most artistically driven and aesthetically distinguished international film festivals, AAFF is dedicated to advancing the spirit of cinematic exploration and artistic integrity across Asia.
Held annually, the Asian Art Film Festival (AAFF) focuses on curating outstanding films from across Asia, with particular attention to exceptional works by emerging and independent filmmakers.
Through its competition and selection mechanisms, the festival highlights films that reflect the human condition, engage with social and humanitarian issues, uphold fairness and justice, and demonstrate artistic innovation with profound cultural insight.
AAFF aspires to champion works of enduring artistic value and to showcase cinematic classics refined through imagination, creativity, and bold original vision.