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Freeplay is the world’s longest-running independent games festival, located in Melbourne, Australia. Established in 2004, the festival embraces the fringes, spotlights grassroots artists and game makers, and acts as a response to and critique of the status quo. For over 19 years, Freeplay has been exploring the vital margins of independent, alternative, and experimental games culture. The festival continues to champion artistic exploration and experimentation in games and play, and positions game making as arts practice.

Memory Lane

Latest News

Our 2024 Freeplay Awards Winners!

Our 2024 Freeplay Awards Winners!

Thank you to an amazing crowd for celebrating the 2024 Freeplay Awards with us![Image Gallery Below!] We had a wonderful night, with some well deserved love for our community, and we can't thank you enough for your support. Congratulations to every nominee and...

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Parallels ’23 Recording is up!

Parallels ’23 Recording is up!

It's here! For those of you who weren't able to be there in person, the recording of Parallels '23 has been compiled and uploaded for your viewing and re-viewing pleasure. Huge thanks to ACMI for the recording and editing, we had a wonderful time and look forward to...

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Submissions Open for The Freeplay Awards

Submissions Open for The Freeplay Awards

After a two-year hiatus, The Freeplay Awards return! The Freeplay Awards celebrate excellence in indie gaming in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania. This year, submissions are open to digital & non-digital games released between 26th April 2021 and 22nd September...

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Freeplay acknowledges the Wurundjeri & Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the Lands upon which the festival takes place.
We pay respect to their Elders past and present, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the wider community and beyond.
Sovereignty was never ceded, and this always was and always will be Aboriginal land.