PRESS RELEASE
Flickerfest, Sydney’s Academy® qualifying and BAFTA recognised short film festival celebrates a landmark 35 years in 2026, rolling out the red carpet at Bondi Beach from 23rd January - 1st February 2026.
Join Flickerfest this summer for a magical journey through the best short films from at home and the world, guaranteed to inspire and delight. With over 200 shorts screening across 18 competitive programmes and 6 showcase sessions, Flickerfest 2026 features a glittering line-up of cinema stars in an astounding programme, selected from almost 3,600 entries.
The Flickerfest programmes of inspiring short films will move, inspire and entertain this year's audiences with the very best short films Australia and the world has to offer.
The shorts in competition at Flickerfest are vying fiercely for a number of prestigious prizes including the Flickerfest Award for Best International Short Film, the Yoram Gross Award for Best International Animation, Best Australian Short Film and the Flickerfest Award for Best Documentary - all of which are Academy® Qualifying.
Flickerfest Director, Bronwyn Kidd commented: “I'm thrilled to celebrate Flickerfest’s landmark 35th birthday with our passionate audiences whose support, attendance and passion for short films have made our long life possible With a record number of 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 and unforgettable short cinema in our truly magical iconic location at Bondi Beach”.
Be dazzled by hilarious comedies (Short Laughs) , delightful films for kids and families (Flickerkids) a Survival Day First Nations programme honoring the voices of our most talented Indigenous filmmakers (Indigenous Showcase), exceptional LGBTQI+ shorts in competition from across the Globe, (Rainbow shorts) Quirky tales about relationships (Love Bites), and hilarious comedy films (Short Laughs) all screening alongside outstanding short films battling it out in Flickerfest’s Academy® Qualifying competitions of short films from Australia and the world.
Join Flickerfest this summer at the stylish Bondi Pavilion and enjoy magical nights under the stars at their palm fringed alfresco cinema and bar and comfortable day time screenings in their air conditioned beachside beachside. Hear from filmmakers excited to be sharing their films on the big screen for the first time, join fellow film lovers as you marvel at their talent and be the first to discover some amazing creatives destined to become the next big names of the big screen. To compliment your viewing experience, sit back, relax and enjoy delicious food and drinks at Flickerfest’s panoramic beachside and lawn bars serving up delightful experiences to compliment the best short films on offer.
Flickerfest hits Bondi Beach from the 23rd January - 1st February 2026 before touring nationally to 45+ venues. The full 2026 programme will be announced and tickets will be on sale from mid-December at: flickerfest.com.au.
Festival: 23rd January - 1st February 2026, Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia Tour: February - October 2026, 45+ venues Australia-wide
Web: https://flickerfest.com.au/ Instagram: @flickerfest Facebook: @Flickerfest
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YouTube: @FlickerfestShortFilmFestival
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