Flickerfest, Australia’s largest short film competition, is once again gracing our shores in 2026, returning to Bondi Beach from January 23rd-February 1st.
Celebrating its 35th year, the ten-day event will showcase a handpicked selection of Australia’s and the world’s most exciting short films under the stars and in the theatre at the Bondi Pavilion, presenting a stunning season showcasing our most exciting emerging cinema talent.
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, giving audiences a first look at the most outstanding short films on offer.
These 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.
From home soil, 60 Australian films have been officially selected for the Best of Australian competition. 36 international films will compete in the Best of International competitions, whilst 15 thought-provoking documentaries make up the Best of Documentary competition. A further 100 films will also feature across Flickerfest showcase sessions.
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Australian highlights include Flickerfest alumni and director Jesse Vogelaar’s “The Suit”, which features award-winning actress Kat Stewart, rising star Harvey Zielinski, and much-loved comedian Colin Lane; alumni director Nina Buxton’s “BUBBA”, and Matt Day’s new short “Baby Shower” starring Hugo Weaving, Contessa Treffone, and Helen Thompson.
Alongside the films in competition, audiences will also be delighted with programs including FlickerUp – a celebration of youth filmmaking from filmmaker 18 and under across Australia; Rainbow Shorts – LGBTQI films; a First Nations Showcase celebrating First Nations talent and stories; FlickerKids – special showcases of kids and family friendly films; LoveBites – films about the trials and tribulations of relationships; and Short Laughs – presenting the world’s most hilarious comedy films.
Flickerfest director Bronwyn Kidd said: “With a record of over 3,700 entries received, Flickerfest 2026 will again deliver an outstanding programme celebrating our most talented contemporary storytellers, both here in Australia and from around the world.
“With so many outstanding films to choose from I am so excited to present our audiences with programmes that applaud bold, inspiring, creative & unforgettable short films from talent who are destined to shape the future of cinema.”
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.
See the full programme and more information here.