About the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival
The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival is Australia’s only outback film festival, held each year in the historic town of Winton, Queensland.
Set against vast landscapes and big skies, Vision Splendid celebrates Australian cinema in a way that’s inseparable from place. Over nine days in late June, the festival brings together filmmakers, audiences and communities to experience films, conversations and events in iconic outback locations including open-air screenings under the stars.
More than a film festival, Vision Splendid is a cultural experience and a reason to travel, inviting visitors to discover Outback Queensland through the lens of Australian storytelling.
OUR STORY 2013 to now
Born from the premiere of Mystery Road in Winton in October 2013, the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival began with a bold idea. As filmmakers, actors, producers and community leaders gathered around a dinner table, a shared vision emerged to establish Winton and Outback Queensland as a world-leading hub for outback filmmaking and screen culture.
From that moment, Vision Splendid grew into a festival with a clear purpose: to celebrate Australian stories where they belong, and to build lasting cultural and tourism outcomes for Winton and Outback Queensland.
Since then, the festival has become a much-loved annual event, known for its distinctive setting, strong sense of community and deep connection to Australian film history.
Winton: Hollywood of the Outback
Winton is often referred to as Hollywood of the Outback, having played host to many well-known Australian films over the decades. Its landscapes, heritage buildings and cinematic light have made it a natural location for screen storytelling.
Vision Splendid builds on this legacy, positioning Winton not just as a backdrop, but as an active part of the festival experience. Screenings take place in historic venues, local locations and open-air theatres, allowing audiences to experience films in environments that echo the stories on screen.
Our Vision
To grow Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival into a world-recognisable, international film festival, delivering positive outcomes through film and tourism for Winton, Outback Queensland, Queensland and Australia.
We aim to continue building on Winton’s reputation as Hollywood of the Outback, helping to establish a screen hub in Outback Queensland that attracts filmmakers, visitors and creative opportunities from across Australia and beyond.
Our Mission
To produce and deliver a world-class film festival that educates and entertains, while remaining culturally significant to the people of Winton, Outback Queensland and the Australian film industry.
Vision Splendid is committed to creating meaningful experiences that respect place, community and storytelling, while showcasing the best of Australian cinema.
Our purpose
The Festival exists to grow screen culture in Outback Queensland by:
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Elevating outback-inspired films and First Nations storytellers
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Showcasing filming opportunities and locations
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Bringing visitors, filmmakers and locals together through story
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Developing regional screen production skills
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Deepening cultural understanding of Australian cinema
At its heart, Vision Splendid is about celebrating who we are, the stories we tell, and the remarkable landscape that inspires them.
A Festival for Audiences, Filmmakers and Community
Vision Splendid welcomes a broad audience, from film lovers and families to travellers, grey nomads and industry professionals. The program combines film screenings with special events, workshops and conversations, creating opportunities to engage with cinema beyond the screen.
For filmmakers, the festival provides a platform to showcase work, connect with audiences and celebrate Australian storytelling in a setting unlike any other.
For the local community, Vision Splendid is a source of pride, connection and cultural exchange, contributing to Winton’s identity as a creative and welcoming outback town.
A Not-for-Profit Festival
Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival Inc is a not-for-profit organisation. The festival is driven by a commitment to Australian cinema, regional communities and cultural storytelling, with all proceeds reinvested into delivering the festival and supporting its long-term vision.
If you’d like to support the future of Vision Splendid, you can learn more about contributing or make a donation here.
(This is optional and entirely at your discretion.)
Plan your Winton visit
Vision Splendid is designed to be experienced as more than just a screening, it’s an opportunity to visit a remarkable outback town and make the journey part of the story.
Our Partners
This event is made possible through the support of our partners, whose ongoing commitment ensures we can continue delivering standout cultural experiences for Outback Queensland.
