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.
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Have things to say about Freeplay? Help us shape its future with a 5-minute survey before 17 March.
Announcing Parallels 2021 – Freeplay’s MIGW Showcase
We’re excited to host Parallels 2021 at 7PM on Thursday, October 7th 2021, during Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW). Tune in as our speakers play and talk about their creations, origin stories, creative inspirations, and intimate journeys.
Freeplay 2021 – Dates & Theme Announced
Hello and welcome to Freeplay Independent Games Festival 2021! The Freeplay team have been working hard over the last few months, and we're delighted to announce a hybrid physical-digital festival for 2021. Freeplay 2021 will take place across six days on June...
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.