Applications closed.

12 September 2024 – Entries open

8 October 2024 – Entries close

18 October 2024 – Applicants notified

4 November 2024 – Master content schedule due

15 January 2025 - Programme launch

22 February - 2 March 2025 - Independent Programme to take place

Why should I be part of the Independent Programme?

Listing and promoting your event as part of the official festival programme connects you to a highly engaged, fashion focused audience. All programmes will be supported through our promotional campaigns and integration into our digital and social channel activations. Key fashion media will be provided with an itinerary for all Independent Programme events for consideration in their overall festival attendance and coverage schedules.  

What does it cost to be part of the Independent Programme?  

There is no cost to be part of the Independent Programme. However, note that all activities promoted through the programme are self-managed and self-funded, must engage and be available to the public to attend, whether free or ticketed. 

You are responsible for the production of your activity, including compliance across venue hire, talent booking and image usage rights, stakeholder management, legal employment conditions, insurance, and all related activity components, including a highly recommended Acknowledgement of/or Welcome to Country. You are also responsible for ensuring your activity is safe and accessible for all in attendance.  

What is an Independent Programme event?

Workshops, open studios, exhibitions, performances, runways, screenings and more. If you have an idea that you think works, please apply!  

 PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival is proud to showcase a wide range of fashion makers, creatives and cultural organisations from the creative community at the festival. The Festival curates an exciting Independent Programme of events staged by independent organisers and promoted in the Festival’s official schedule.  

The Festival does not own, produce or operate the activities on the Independent Programme. The organisers of these activities are responsible for the complete event delivery, compliance and regulatory and mandatory requirements to operate an event safely.  

How does my application get assessed?  

Applications are assessed on the following but not limited to: 

• Suitability of the Programme 

• Demonstrating an engagement with fashion  

• Alignment with the Festival values – please refer to the MFF Event policies.

• Feasibility  

• Quality of application

• Scope of interest  

• Creativity  

• Response to and providing a complete application

• Please note incomplete applications cannot be processed.   

Will the festival fund my event?  

PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival is not a ‘commissioning’ festival. Applicants are encouraged to apply for funding or grants, should they need financial assistance to fulfil their events.  

Can I get a sponsor for my event?  

The festival engages a suite of sponsoring partners to fund our year-round activities and festival produced events, and as such is responsible for ensuring their contractual rights and benefits are protected across the festival’s platforms and activities.    

As an independent participant in the Independent Programme should you be in the process of obtaining or will seek to obtain financial sponsorship or in-kind support for your activity, we request that you disclose this to the festival. This will enable us to manage any potential conflict risks.  

When should I have my event?  

The key dates of Independent Programme will run from 22 February to 2 March 2025 

Please ensure that your event is scheduled to fall within or in part of these dates to be included as part of our official program. Reach out to our programming team if you would like to guidance on selecting a day/time that would work well with the rest of the official program.  

While the Festival will endeavour to accommodate all proposed date(s) and time(s), you may be advised to select an alternative date and/or time to reduce activity clashes and maximise audience attendance.  We recommend that you contact the festival to schedule your proposed date(s) and time(s) as soon as possible.    

What is involved with putting on an event?

You are responsible for the production of your activity, including compliance across venue hire, talent booking and image usage rights, stakeholder management, legal employment conditions, insurance and all related activity components, including a highly recommended Acknowledgement of/or Welcome to Country. You are also responsible for ensuring your activity is safe and accessible for all in attendance.  

The festival advises that every participant should do a risk assessment analysing any risks connected to their event that includes identification of risks, controls and checklists for how to mitigate them, responsibilities of the person/people controlling the risks, and actions to be taken should incidents occur.

Your question not answered here?

Please reach out to programming@MFF.com.au we are happy to assist.  

View full terms and conditions HERE.