The Inside Film Awards are presented in the following categories:
Feature Film
Short Film
Documentary
Short Documentary
Short Animation
Music Video
The IF awards presented are:
The SHOWTIME IF Award for Best Feature Film
The National Film & Sound Archive IF Award for Best Director
The IF Award for Best Actress
The IF Award for Best Actor
The Dyson IF Award for Best Production Design
The AVID IF Award for Best Editing
The Jameson IF Award for Best Script
The Sony CineALTA IF Award for Best Cinematography
The South Australian Film Corporation IF Award for Best Sound
The Dinosaur Designs IF Award for Best Music
The IF Award for Best Documentary
The IF Award for Best Short Documentary
The Autodesk IF Award for Best Short Animation
The Holding Redlich IF Award for Best Short Film
The SAE Institute IF Award for Best Music Video
The IF Award for Festival of the Year
An Australian film will be eligible for rating if the film has screened during the scoring year at an IF Awards accredited film festival or if it has had a public release in cinemas, and if it has not been nominated for an IF Award in a previous year.
A music video is eligible if it is for an Australian artist and was directed by an Australian, is for a song released between the first of July in the year preceding the current rating year and the close of scoring date, and has been screened at an IF Accredited film festival or on an Australian free-to-air or cable television network within the rating period for any given year.
Special Awards (winners determined by an industry jury)
The IF Award for Living Legend
The Living Legend Award is presented to a filmmaker in a key role who has made a sustained and significant contribution to the Australian film industry. This award goes to an individual who has become a role model in their area of specialisation; who has shown singular dedication in realising their creative vision and who has taken risks in order to bring their message to the audience.
The National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) Independent Spirit IF Award
The NFSA Independent Spirit IF Award recognises an individual or a team of no more than three key creatives who, despite highly limited resources, have demonstrated the creativity, tenacity, and independence of vision required to make a compelling film of any length or genre. The emphasis is on rewarding a filmmaker or filmmakers who have shown the determination to complete a film despite challenging circumstances.
Applicants submit a written application to the Inside Film Awards detailing, in no more than 750 words, how the film was made and how this demonstrates the nominee's independence of spirit as a filmmaker.
The combination of the circumstances under which the film was made and whether it results in a compelling film determines the winner.
This competition is open to all ages. Applicants may nominate themselves or be nominated by others. The competition opens in June each year and entry forms are downloadable from the Inside Film Awards website.
The Efilm IF Award for Rising Talent
The Efilm IF Award for Rising Talent is presented to a talented up-and-coming filmmaker with promising vision. They may be working in any arena (drama, documentary, animation etc.). It is not open to feature filmmakers.
The award is presented to an individual who exhibits incredible talent and potential - someone who has a bright future as a professional filmmaker. The winner of this award is determined by a panel of industry professionals, and candidates are nominated by the film industry or general public.
Applicants may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.
The IF Award for Box Office Achievement
Awarded to the Australian feature film that has taken the most receipts at the local box office in the preceding 12-month period.