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.
Memory Lane
Latest News
Parallels set for MIGW ‘23
Freeplay is proud to announce the return of Parallels to the 2023 MIGW lineup, taking place at ACMI in Fed Square on Thursday October 5th. Highlighting curious and creative works from lovely and talented people, Parallels is a night of talks, play, stories and laughs....
Meet Mads, Louie and Tiara
Freeplay's 2023 leadership team: Mads Mackenzie (front left), Louie Roots (front centre) and Creatrix Tiara (front right). Freeplay welcomes Mads Mackenzie and Louie Roots as our new co-directors – and Creatrix Tiara as our first Awards Lead. Next year is...
Update on the Freeplay review
Hello there, Freeplay friends! As some of you may know, we’re taking some time this year to think about how we do Freeplay. A few months ago, we said goodbye to artistic director Chad Toprak, and we have not yet filled the...
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.