Red Poppy Film Festival
About the Festival
The 2026 Red Poppy Film Festival will be a landmark international celebration of storytelling, creativity, and remembrance — dedicated to films made by veterans, and to filmmakers who explore the experiences of war, service, and their profound effects on individuals, families, and communities.
The festival will shine a light on authentic, respectful, and compelling stories that deepen public understanding of the veteran experience and its enduring impact.
To be held over three inspiring days from Friday 6 March till Sunday 8 March 2026 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, the festival will transform this iconic cultural venue into a dynamic meeting place for filmmakers, veterans, artists, and audiences from around the world, with sidebar events, including veteran art exhibitions, live music performances, seminars, and workshops.
The Red Poppy Film Festival will present an outstanding annual program of feature films, documentaries, and short works, all in contention for the prestigious Red Poppy Awards, which recognise excellence in storytelling, direction, performance, and contribution to the understanding of service and sacrifice.