Lights! Canberra! Action! is an open-air screening of short films, run annually during Enlighten.
18 August 2026
In brief:
- Canberra hosts a range of film festivals throughout the year.
- These span local festivals, foreign-language festivals and special-interest topics.
- This story includes a list of great festivals, organised by the month they usually take place.
Canberra is a creative city and spoilt for choice when it comes to film.
From thought-provoking documentaries to home-grown short films, there's always something for film buffs to enjoy throughout the year.
We’ve rounded up the best film festivals taking place across Canberra in 2026 and beyond.
Some are annual favourites, while others are one-off events, and we've listed them in the month they usually take place to help you plan ahead.
MARCH
Screened at: Senate Rose Garden at Old Parliament House
This local competition and public short film festival showcases stories created in and about Canberra.
It’s a platform for filmmakers at all levels and promotes the ACT as a great filming location.
You can attend the open-air screening each year during Enlighten Festival.
Alliance Française French Film Festival
Screened at: Palace Electric Cinemas
This is a popular annual touring festival, presented by Alliance Française.
You can catch a curated selection of recent French films. These usually include premieres, dramas, comedies and documentaries.
APRIL
National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA)
Screened at: Dendy Cinemas Canberra
As one of the largest Indian film festivals outside India, NIFFA highlights the finest cinema and storytelling.
The festival also aims to build stronger cultural and creative ties between Australia and India.
MAY
Screened at: Palace Electric Cinemas
See superb German-language offerings at this annual festival.
You can expect dramas, comedies, family films and more.
Screened at: Arc Cinema at the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA)
This is a free, Deaf-led film festival that celebrates stories, filmmakers and screen culture from Deaf and hard of hearing communities.
It is a fully Auslan/English-interpreted celebration of sign language film. It promotes authentic Deaf representation and self-determination in filmmaking.
JUNE/JULY
HSBC Spanish & Latin American Film Festival
Screened at: Palace Electric Cinemas
This touring festival brings screenings of modern cinema from Spain and Latin America.
The festival runs every year.
JULY/AUGUST
Screened at: Palace Electric Cinemas
This popular annual festival was formerly known as the Scandinavian Film Festival.
It presents the best cinema from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
AUGUST
Taiwan Film Festival in Australia
Screened at: Dendy Cinemas Canberra
This is a yearly showcase of Taiwanese and Asian-Australian films.
Recent programs have featured award-winning titles, Indigenous Taiwanese stories and films that have screened at major international festivals
Space Faring Civilisation Film Festival
Screened at: Dendy Cinemas Canberra
This Canberra-grown film festival is all about science, space and optimistic storytelling.
It’s a curated screening of short sci-fi, documentaries and animations. There are also workshops and a live Q&A panel.
SEPTEMBER
Canberra Queer Film Festival (CQFF)
Screened at: Diversity ACT, Kambah
This is the first free Queer film festival hosted locally and organised by Diversity ACT.
It’s a celebration of stories written by and for the global LGBTIQA+ community.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
Screened at: Palace Electric Cinemas
This is the largest celebration of Italian culture and film outside Italy.
Each year, it offers an unmissable selection of the best new Italian cinema.
Screened at: Palace Electric Cinemas and Arc Cinema at the National Film and Sound Archive
Presented by The Japan Foundation, this event features the best of contemporary Japanese cinema, anime and classics.
OCTOBER
Canberra Short Film Festival (CSFF)
Screened at: Dendy Cinemas Canberra and Smith’s Alternative
This is one of Australia's longest running, competition-based short film festivals.
The festival takes submissions from over 50 countries. The final line-up includes the best short films and filmmakers from our own backyard and around the globe. Think international shorts, student categories and local ACT cinematic talent.
Adventure Reels Film Tour 2026
Screened at: Arc Cinema at the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA)
Australia's only home-grown adventure film tour brings the most electrifying action sport films to the big screen.
Elite skiing, climbing, kayaking and mountain biking shorts will have you on the edge of your seat.
Screened at: Dendy Cinemas Canberra
Mark your calendar for five great days of movies, talks, parties and panels.
Now in its fifth year, the festival always boasts a great program packed with top-tier local and global cinema.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER
Canberra International Film Festival (CIFF)
Screened at: Arc Cinema at the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA)
This is Canberra's longest-running international film festival.
CIFF runs for almost two weeks and showcases Australian and international:
- feature films
- documentaries
- retrospectives
- filmmaker Q&A discussions.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
Screened at: Palace Electric Cinemas
This annual celebration of modern British cinema often stars some of Britain’s finest talent.
Head along to your choice of genre – you can expect literary adaptations, dramas, comedies and documentaries.
Are you a filmmaker?
There are a range of funding options available to support local talent and creative businesses in the ACT.
Find out more on the Screen Canberra website.
Get in touch
Did we miss your favourite? Send us an email at ourcanberra@act.gov.au.
Keep an eye on local cinemas and event organisers too, as pop-up screenings and touring film festivals are announced throughout the year.
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