Bold, thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud stories from across the globe are being brought to life on the big screen at next week's Flickerfest in Newcastle.
Celebrating 35 years in 2026, Flickerfest remains Australia's leading Academy-qualifying and BAFTA-recognised short film festival, with films hand-picked from the festival's record 3700-plus entries.
This year's short films, being screened at the Civic Theatre on Saturday, June 6, are entertaining, inspiring, award-winning, and fresh from their premieres at Flickerfest Bondi.
Festival director Bronwyn Kidd is thrilled to celebrate Flickerfest's milestone in her home town.
"Over the past 35 years, since its establishment in 1991, the festival has identified talent and launched the careers of hundreds of filmmakers," she tells Weekender.
"These filmmakers have become established voices who now lead the Australian film industry, both domestically and internationally, with alumni such as Joel Edgerton, Rachel Griffiths, Warwick Thornton, Rachel Ward, Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and many more.
"I grew up in Newcastle so I'm always particularly pleased to celebrate some great locally connected films in our Flickerfest Bondi competition each year and then bring them home to Newcastle audiences.
"Anna and Alfonso by Anna Outridge is a sweet and heartwarming celebration of canine love and devotion that audiences will really love.
"Another highlight not to miss is the moving I'm Sorry For Your Loss by Stephen Di Gravio.
"Both directors grew up and went to school locally and are thrilled to be home for their local screenings."
Three films have Newcastle connections this year.
Also on the Best of Australian Shorts line-up at 6.30pm is Tuesday Tuesday, which won best female director at Flickerfest 2026 and stars Peter Phelps (Stingers); Packed Away, the directorial debut of Michala Banas (Always Greener, McLeod's Daughters) who shines both on and off camera in this personal and intimate drama; Baby Shower, written and directed by Matt Day (Rake) and starring Hugo Weaving; and The Suit, a comedy featuring Kat Stewart and Colin Lane.
The riotous collection of off-kilter Flickerfest shorts this year includes Laterz, winner of Best Comedy Short at Flickerfest 2026; Carcassonne-Acapulco, where a chance encounter at 30,000 feet sparks a surprisingly profound and funny existential debate; French comedy Bowl Cut, where a summer haircut gone awry prompts seven-year-old Suzie to take matters into her own hands; Odd Socks starring Sandi Toksvig (QI); and recent Oscar winner The Singers, starring an eclectic cast of non-actors.
As a toast to 35 years of Flickerfest, a complimentary drink is included in your ticket.
