The 2026 programme is now live and showcases around 200 exceptional shorts, across 23 dedicated festival programmes, handpicked from a record-breaking 3,700+ entries, from over 100 countries, with many enjoying their world and Australian premieres.
Flickerfest’s prestigious Academy® Qualifying Competitions of 111 short films, include 42 World Premieres, 41 Australian premieres and 19 NSW premieres, gives audiences a first look at the most outstanding short films on offer.
The shorts are fiercely vying for a number of prestigious prizes, including the Flickerfest Award for Best International Short Film, the Yoram Gross Award for Best International Animation, the Panasonic Lumix Award for Best Australian Short Film and the Flickerfest Award for Best Documentary – all of which are Academy® Qualifying.
Check out our Irresistible interview with festival director Bronwyn Kidd here and below there’s a few Irresistible Flickerfest highlights.
Flickerfest Alumni and director Jesse Vogelaar returns for the world premiere of his new short film The Suit. This sharp and hilarious comedy brings together a stellar cast, featuring award-winning actress Kat Stewart (Five Bedrooms, Offspring, Underbelly), rising star Harvey Zielinski (White Fever, Deadloch, Spreadsheet), and much-loved comedian Colin Lane (Fisk, Utopia, The Adventures of Lano & Woodley).
BUBBA, a deeply intimate and tender new work from alumni director Nina Buxton. Returning to the festival nearly a decade after the success of her short film WOOF!, which premiered at Flickerfest in 2016 and earned her the award for Best Editing in an Australian Short Film, Nina brings her distinctive storytelling voice to the screen once again with this heartfelt and compelling film.
Acclaimed actor, director and writer Matt Day’s new short Baby Shower starring Hugo Weaving (The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King & The Fellowship of the Ring, V for Vendetta, The Matrix), Contessa Treffone (Totally Completely Fine, One More Shot , Here Out West, Doctor Doctor and Helen Thompson (Elvis , Kangaroo Jack, Colin from Accounts, Gettin’ Square). Shot in a single day and set in one location, Baby Shower is a dark comedy that takes a wholesome family ritual and turns it on its head. A proud Flickerfest alumni, this marks Matt Day’s third film to screen at the festival
Now in its 35th year, Flickerfest is supported by some of the biggest and most respected names in the Australian film industry, See just a few comments from some of the country’s film industry royalty.
“It was more than 30 years ago that a few actor friends and myself began our first Theatre Company in what was then the upstairs theatre at the Bondi Pavilion. From there, supported by people in the industry, we were able to get our start, so it’s a great thing that just outside the forecourt, Flickerfest now gives a similar opportunity for short filmmakers to have a stage upon which they can present their short films in our local neighbourhood.” – Baz Luhrmann, Director and Flickerfest Supporter
“The Short Film is a place to experiment and push boundaries. Flickerfest allows emerging voices to be seen and heard, and established voices the chance to revitalise. It’s fitting that such a cutting edge, internationally recognised film festival takes place in an unconventional and vibrant setting: under the stars, on the beach, in Australia.” – Cate Blanchett, Oscar winning actress and Flickerfest Supporter
“Being a Sydney local is not the only reason I’ve eagerly attended Flickerfest for many years. It’s the only international short film festival and it’s under the stars. Rare and romantic. I hope we can all enjoy this important showcase for years to come.” – Claudia Karvan, Actress and Flickerfest Patron
In Tuesday Tuesday A support worker spends one final shift with her client living with younger-onset dementia and must face the complicated feelings that come with letting him go. Director Bio Lianne Mackessy body of work spans acting, screenwriting and directing. As a filmmaker, Lianne’s debut short film Not a Wallflower (writer/director), had its premiere at MIFF in 2020. In 2021 Lianne co-wrote the award-winning short documentary What Was It Like? which is currently streaming on ABCiview. Lianne co-wrote and performed in the short romantic comedy Hopeful Romantic,which premiered at Flickerfest 2023.
Packed Away shows Em (Michala Banas) and her father (John Banas) packing away her mothers belongings after her passing. A fairly simple act, but a difficult one. Director Michala Banas is a multi-award-winning film, television and theatre actor. With a remarkable career spanning over four decades, Michala has starred in over 90 films, television and theatre productions. In 2025, she will appear alongside Liam Neeson in the upcoming Amazon Prime feature ‘Road To The Sky’. Packed Away is her directorial film debut. Co-director Finegan Sampson is a multi-award winning emerging writer and director, celebrated for his nuanced exploration of human nature and emotionally charged storytelling. His directorial debut short film, ‘Teach Me How to Cry’, received multiple national accolades. He co-founded OneHouse Productions, and ‘Packed Away’, marks his second step into narrative filmmaking.
In the Academy® Award qualifying international competition, there is the Australian premiere of They, a beautiful animation and the directorial debut by Oscar winning actress Renee Zellweger, where in a town overrun by grumbling citizens a hopeful hero and his trusty dog hatch a plan to encourage better days.
The world premiere of Three is a provocative and darkly humorous short, by first time director, award winning Scottish actor and director Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting, The Full Monty’.)
A Friend of Dorothy, starring screen legend Miriam Margolyes (The Age of Innocence, Little Dorrit) and Stephen Fry (Black Adder, The Hobbit, Narrator Harry Potter audiobooks) is a heart warming story about finding unexpected friendship
The Oscar qualifying Documentary Programme showcases intimate and compelling true stories, including the standout Return of the Champ. Directed by Damien Power, the film follows Indy 500 champion Will Power and his comedian brother Damien as they confront a lifelong rivalry to reconnect before it tears them apart. Damien describes it as deeply personal, with everyone playing themselves and delivering strikingly natural performances.
The Rainbow Shorts programme celebrates bold and diverse queer voices, including the exciting Scottish short Sleazy Tiger. Directed and written by James Ley and featuring iconic actor Alan Cumming.
FlickerKids presents the Australian premiere of Forevergreen, a shortlisted Oscar contender. The animated short tells the story of an orphaned bear cub who finds a home with a fatherly evergreen tree, until his hunger for trash leads him into danger. Directed by Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears, the film is a charming and adventurous tale for audiences of all ages.
FLiCKERFEST
Australia’s most respected and only Academy® Award qualifying International short film festival, screens the best short films from Australia and the world.
This year, Flickerfest will once again be hosted at its home of almost three decades, the Bondi Pavilion, for indoor and outdoor screenings.
23rd January – 1st February 2026
Following the festival in Sydney, Flickerfest will share a selection of festival highlights and award winners on tour to over 40 venues across Australia between February and October, 2026.
Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
