Selection Eligibility & Process

MIFF Accelerator Lab 2027 Expression of Interest

Accelerator Lab is a selective development program with limited places, designed to support filmmakers as they strengthen their projects, industry knowledge and professional networks.

MIFF is inviting Expressions of Interest from directors only who are based in Australia or New Zealand, have submitted a short film to MIFF 2027 via FilmFreeway, and are ready to take the next step into feature or long-form filmmaking. Producers and other members of the film’s creative or production team are not eligible to apply unless they are also the director of the submitted film.

While the program is open to filmmakers from a range of backgrounds, its workshops and industry sessions are primarily focused on scripted and narrative filmmaking. Applicants working in documentary or other non-scripted forms are encouraged to consider the program’s focus when assessing its relevance to their own practice and projects in development.

Applicants must:

• Be an Australian or New Zealand director
• Be fully available for the full duration of the Accelerator Lab (11–15 August 2027)
• Have completed a short-film submission to MIFF 2027 via FilmFreeway
• Have one or more feature-length or long-form projects in development
• Have an existing working relationship with a producer, or a clear commitment to developing one
• Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to developing their filmmaking career through filmmaking, study and/or screen-industry experience
• Have at least an introductory understanding of the local and international screen industry, including feature or long-form funding, production, distribution and exhibition
• Not have participated in MIFF Accelerator Lab within the previous five years

Selection and participation

Participation in Accelerator Lab is conditional on your submitted short film being selected for the MIFF 2027 program. Film selection outcomes will be communicated by the end of June 2027 at the latest. If your film is not selected for the festival, your Accelerator Lab EOI will not progress further, and you will not receive a separate Accelerator Lab outcome notification beyond your film selection status.

If your film is selected for MIFF 2027, you will be advised whether you have also been selected to participate in Accelerator Lab, or whether your film has been selected as part of another festival programming strand. Applicants should only submit an EOI if they are prepared to make themselves available to attend and participate in the full Accelerator Lab program if selected.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Please complete the Expression of Interest form below by 9am Monday 22 February 2027 (AEDT).

If you have any questions or experience any issues with the form, please contact submissions@miff.com.au.

MIFF Programming & Industry Teams

• Accelerator Lab 2027 Expression of Interest Form