Freeplay Independent Games Festival “likely looking at its last year of operation”

The festival has been in operation since 2004.

Melbourne’s very own Freeplay Independent Games Festival is likely to close this year, following a failed funding application to Creative Victoria’s Creative Enterprises fund.

“Last year, Freeplay applied to Creative Victoria’s Creative Enterprises fund. Unfortunately, our application was unsuccessful. This means we do not currently have ongoing funding to support our organisation, and there are no relevant and available opportunities for Freeplay on the horizon,” reads an update from organisers.

“As such, we are unable to continue paying our co-directors a salary to run Freeplay events, and there is no guarantee we can operate beyond 2026. We are currently operating with our volunteer board steering the ship whilst we arrange plans for our slated events this year.”

The update continues on to say that, given the circumstances, “Freeplay is likely looking at its last year of operation for the foreseeable future.”

Freeplay first started in 2004, consistently growing since its inception. In 2023, the festival received two-year organisational funding from Creative Victoria, allowing the festival to hire two part-time directors and expand the festival’s offerings. Events like Parallels “now cost upwards of $100,000 to deliver,” organisers disclosed.

In light of the current situation, organisers are also calling up the community to provide their input in order to help organisers, “decide the best path forward.” Those interested can take part in the survey, right here.