STELLAR SHORT FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ITS 2026 STELLAR 12
An invitation-only showcase of Australia’s most outstanding short films
Stellar Short Film Festival has unveiled its Stellar 12 finalists for 2026, cementing its reputation as Australia’s only invitation-only short film festival and one of the country’s most distinctive celebrations of short-form cinema.
Following a sold-out event of 1,200 attendees in 2025, strong early ticket sales indicate Stellar is on track for another sell-out year.
“The quality of the shortlisted films, both creatively and technically, was remarkable, and narrowing the program down was genuinely challenging for the selection panel,” said Festival Director Jasmine Charles. “It speaks to how much exciting work is being made in Australian short film right now. This is the strongest program we’ve seen to date.”
The 2026 program features several returning Stellar finalists, including Annelise Hickey (Hafekasi, 2024), David Robinson-Smith (Mud Crab, 2024) and Leela Varghese (Crush, 2019; and new cult favourite Lesbian Space Princess), presenting new work alongside an impressive lineup of established Australian directors such as legendary short filmmaker Nash Edgerton and first-time director and actor Ashley Zukerman. Powered by exceptional creative teams and featuring standout performances, the Stellar 12 showcases a dynamic range of voices and storytelling styles. Best Performance and Rising Star nominees will be announced soon.
The festival is also proud to partner with Bus Stop Films for a second consecutive year and will open the 2026 program with Sarsaparilla, produced by the Melbourne-based Bus Stop Films team. The partnership reflects Stellar’s ongoing commitment to championing inclusive filmmaking and meaningful access within the Australian screen industry.
THE STELLAR 12 — 2026 FINALIST FILMS
- Beyond Measure — David Ferrier
- Candy Bar — Nash Edgerton
- DIY — Tony Gardiner
- I’m The Most Racist Person I Know — Leela Varghese
- Jason Is My Dad — Ashley Zukerman
- Marcia and the Shark — Sam Ferris Bryant
- Over — Duncan Ragg & Anna Phillips
- SoundBoy — Monty O’Brien & Lily Stewart
- Stranger, Brother — Annelise Hickey
- The Shirt Off Your Back — David Robinson-Smith
- Unspoken — Damian Walshe-Howling
- Unstoppable — Jack Byrnes & Marcus Porcaro
Spanning bold comedy, intimate drama and powerful storytelling, the Stellar 12 represents some of the most exciting and distinctive voices currently emerging in Australian cinema.
Stellar Short Film Festival takes place at McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery on the Mornington Peninsula on February 28, 2026. Tickets are available at stellarshortfilmfestival.com.au.
Listen to interviews with filmmakers below:
Andrew F Peirce
Andrew F Peirce
Andrew F Peirce