20-year-old Australian indie games festival Freeplay at risk as government funding dries up

Freeplay, an independent game festival running in Australia since 2004, is “likely looking at its last year of operation for the foreseeable future” after failing to secure government funding.

In an online statement, as reported by Game Developer, the festival’s organizers admit that though community organizations like Freeplay “typically survive off the blood, sweat and tears of volunteers, supported by piecemeal funding opportunities,” and “the work of running Freeplay events has always been a labor of love often without adequate compensation,” failure to secure funding from Creative Victoria’s Creative Enterprises Fund has left it without ongoing funding to support its activities.

“We’re disappointed in the outcome and what it implies about how games are currently being prioritised by the Victorian Government,” the organizers stated. “Of the 81 arts organisations supported by Creative Enterprises in the 2026-2029 funding round, none are games/interactive arts organisations.

“But this serves as a clear reminder: Freeplay’s original purpose – championing the value of games as an artistic medium – remains relevant,” the statement added.

“Games are vital to the creative and cultural fabric of Australia and Freeplay has been an unwavering champion of the freakier side of games for 20 years – a home for the experimental, the weird, the heartfelt. We would love to continue for 20 more. Unfortunately, this is feeling increasingly impossible without the support of governments who believe in the art of gamemaking.”

As “a cornerstone of the Australian games community for over 20 years,” the team is now appealing for ideas on how it can use its remaining resources to best serve Australia’s developers, as well as requesr suggestions on alternative funding routes “so [it] can keep championing Australian experimental gamemaking.”