The Central Coast Film Festival (CCFF) has officially opened submissions for its 2026 edition, with filmmakers from across Australia and around the world now able to enter their work through FilmFreeway. The festival will take place from 14 to 21 November 2026 at Cinema Paradiso, Ettalong Beach.
Filmmakers are encouraged to submit early to take advantage of Earlybird pricing, which closes on 15 April 2026. Earlybird fees represent the lowest rates available across all categories and are unlikely to be extended - once the deadline passes, submissions move to Regular pricing.
“We’ve deliberately brought our pricing back to levels that make the festival genuinely accessible, particularly for Australian short-form filmmakers. We want CCFF to be the kind of festival where emerging talent feels welcome and where submitting is a real option, not a financial stretch.”
- Timothy Wilde, Creative Director, Central Coast Film Festival
The 2026 festival accepts submissions across a broad range of categories including Micro Short (six minutes and under), Short Film (seven to twenty minutes), Mid-Length Film, Feature Film, Animation, Documentary, Music Video, Experimental, and Student films. Discounted rates are available for Central Coast-based filmmakers, students, and under-18 entrants.
Now in its third year, CCFF has grown rapidly since its sold-out inaugural season in 2024 to become the largest film festival ever held on the Central Coast. Packed screenings, industry leader Q&As, and a program drawing international submissions have established CCFF as a genuine destination event for both filmmakers and film lovers. The 2025 edition introduced the inaugural Central Coast Filmmaker of the Year and Young Central Coast Filmmaker of the Year awards, backed by over $20,000 in prizes and sponsorships, cementing the festival’s commitment to investing in the next generation of screen talent.
Submissions are open now and close on 1 September 2026. The full submission timeline is as follows:
Earlybird: 15 April 2026
Regular: 2 June 2026
Breathing Room: 17 July 2026
Final Deadline: 1 September 2026
Submissions are accepted exclusively through FilmFreeway. Filmmakers can submit at filmfreeway.com/CentralCoastFilmFest or via the website centralcoastfilmfestival.com
ABOUT THE CENTRAL COAST FILM FESTIVAL
The Central Coast Film Festival is an annual celebration of independent cinema held at Cinema Paradiso, Ettalong Beach, New South Wales. Founded by Carley Edmonds, Shane Emmett and Timothy Wilde, the festival is dedicated to showcasing emerging and established filmmakers from Australia and internationally, with a particular commitment to supporting local Central Coast talent.