Community-driven film festivals across NSW will receive a much-needed boost as they roll out the red carpets for their opening night events, with Screen NSW’s Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund returning for a second year.
The fund, which first launched in 2024, offers grants for film festivals across the state to connect with their communities through film and memorable opening night events. With rising costs a significant barrier for many cultural organisations and festivals, this program will support opening night celebrations for up to 20 community film festivals across NSW.
In 2026, the fund has expanded to support both new and established film festivals in the state. Grants of $5,000 will be available for film festivals with distinct community bases to create diverse screening experiences and celebrations.
The fund complements existing support available for film and community festivals in the state, including Screen NSW’s Audience Development Program. The Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund is part of Screen NSW’s broader commitment to develop and support the local film industry and build audiences and community engagement as part of the three-year NSW Screen & Digital Games Strategy.
Applications for the Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund are now open and will close on 23 April 2026. For full details and to apply please visit this page.
Screen NSW Executive Director Kylie Munnich said:
“Our state is home to globally recognised film festivals, including Sydney Film Festival at venues across Sydney, Flickerfest at Bondi Beach, and the newly returned Tropfest in Centennial Park. But there are many more community-driven film festivals hosted right across the state which celebrate the diverse communities we have in NSW.
“To help alleviate the rising costs associated with hosting these important cultural events, Screen NSW is putting support behind these film festivals. Through this fund, we will ensure festivals can continue to host vibrant opening night events, bringing communities together and celebrating the power of storytelling through film.
“This year, we have expanded the program and are now rolling out the red carpet for new community film festivals, in addition to those that we already know and love. Not only do we want to see established festivals continue to thrive in NSW, we also want to see more screen events create new and meaningful connections across communities.”
Previous recipients, Co-Founders and Co-Directors of the Armenian Film Festival, Margaret Chater and Hourie Demirjian said:
“The Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund grant was instrumental in elevating the Armenian Film Festival’s overall impact and visibility. It enabled greater investment in marketing and in crafting an opening night experience that deeply connected audiences with Armenian culture. As a result, the festival significantly strengthened its public profile, attracting larger audiences and firmly establishing its presence within the broader cultural landscape.”
Image: Armenian Film Festival Opening Night 2025. Photography by Berj.
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