The Red Poppy Film Festival will be held at the Art Gallery of NSW from March 6 to 8, 2026. Presented by the Veterans Film Foundation.
IMages, Media Kist and Trailers available.
The 2026 Red Poppy Film Festival, presented by the Veterans Film Foundation (VFF), returns to Sydney in 2026 as a landmark international celebration of storytelling, creativity, and remembrance, with the prestigious Red Poppy Awards to be held at the Art Gallery of NSW on March 6 and a program of international and Australian films over the weekend of March 7 & 8.
The Festival, which has been held since 2016, is dedicated to films made by veterans and filmmakers who explore the experiences of war, service, and their profound effects on individuals, families, and communities.
This year it is coinciding with the 125th Anniversary of the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Navy and will acknowledge service and sacrifice while supporting the Veterans Film Foundation’s mission to promote storytelling around military service and to advance meaningful post-service employment pathways for Australian veterans within the arts and film industry through the Screen Warrior program.
The Red Poppy Awards received submissions from across the world. This has resulted in a wonderful selection of films from France, Belgium, Italy, UK, USA and Australia to be presented over an outstanding program of feature films, documentaries, and short works, all in contention for the prestigious Red Poppy Awards, which recognise excellence in storytelling, direction, performance, and contribution to the understanding of service and sacrifice.
Executive Chair of the VFF Warwick Young, both a veteran and award-winning filmmaker, said by showcasing films by and about veterans, the festival challenges assumptions and invites audiences to engage with the human realities of service and transition.
“Film is a powerful tool for sharing understanding and connection and this authentic, respectful storytelling also supports our mission for wellbeing in the defence and veteran community,” he said.
The move in 2026 to the Art Gallery of NSW will see the program also support a veteran art exhibition.
“These films belong in our major cultural spaces, and hosting the festival at the Art Gallery of New South Wales sends a powerful message about the value of veterans’ voices,” Young said.
He added the Festival program launch at the ANZAC Memorial ws a symbolic way to honour the past - ground the festival in respect while opening the door to new stories.
Tickets are free to veterans and their families alongside publicly available ticketed sessions. The 2026 Festival at the Art Gallery will provide a dynamic meeting place for filmmakers, veterans, artists, and audiences from around the world, with sidebar events, including live music performances, seminars and workshops.
The festival will shine a light on authentic, respectful, and compelling stories that deepen public understanding of the veteran experience and its enduring impact.
The Festival Opening Night on March 6 will be a black tie and dress uniform Gala Event presenting the Red Poppy Awards plus a feature program of the films, Bringing His Spirit Home, New Life and My Husband the Child Soldier followed by a cocktail gala. Public tickets are available.
Two sessions on Saturday, March 7 feature the films Decoding Jean: Secrets of WWII,
The Gift of a Second Wind and The Sessions: I’m Good at 6pm and from 8.30pm Peace Wilderness Man, Cassino: Then and Now and The Comfort Dogs of Uganda.
On Sunday, March 8 a short film showcase at 6.30pm will screen Signalman,
Long Tan, Decoding Jean: Secrets of WWII, New Life, The Comfort Dogs of Uganda, Wet Soil, Sound of the Somme andBringing His Spirit Home.
Closing the Festival on Sunday evening at the 8.30pm screening will be New Life followed by the award-winning film Lee , starring Kate Winslet as WWII Vogue war correspondent.
Contact details:
Media contact: Carolyn Grant [email protected] +61 407898727.
VFF Chair: Warwick Young [email protected] + 61 409500566
