The Sydney Film Festival, which will return for its 73rd edition this year, has announced its 2026 dates.
This year’s festival will go ahead from Wednesday, June 3rd, to Sunday, June 14th and again bring together Australian exclusives, world premieres and red carpet events.
“As we prepare for the 73rd Sydney Film Festival, we remain committed to championing filmmakers with a distinct voice and a strong point of view,” Sydney Film Festival’s Director, Nashen
“Each year we look for work that reflects the urgency and complexity of the times, and that reminds us why cinema matters on the big screen. We look forward to bringing together audiences and filmmakers for Sydney’s largest celebration of film.”
The Festival will be held across Greater Sydney at venues including the State Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Event Cinemas George Street, State Library of NSW, Dendy Cinemas Newtown, The Ritz Randwick, Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne, Palace Cinemas Central and Norton Street, the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney Town Hall, and more, including SFFTV in Martin Place.
The first films for the 2026 Sydney Film Festival will be announced in April, before the full program is revealed on May 6th.
Last year’s big winner was Jafar Panahi’s Iranian thriller “It Was Just an Accident”.
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A jury headed by Justin Kurzel called the film about the lived realities of people in Iran “audacious, cutting-edge and courageous.” The prize, valued at $60,000, is one of the richest awarded at any film festival.
The $20,000 Documentary Australia Award went to local filmmaker Shalom Almond for “Songs Inside,” a moving portrait of women prisoners healing through a unique music program.
The $35,000 First Nations Award, the largest cash prize for Indigenous filmmaking, was awarded to Canadian filmmaker Lisa Jackson for “Wilfred Buck,” which explores the life and teachings of charismatic Cree educator and “star man” Wilfred Buck.