Celebrating 34 years of great short film, Flickerfest hits Brisbane for two big cinematic nights at Palace Cinemas, James Street, showcasing a selection of local and international talent fresh from their Oscar Qualifying festival, handpicked from over 3,500 entries.
On 3 April, enjoy a welcome drink, filmmaker intros and stunning films from Queensland filmmakers, screening alongside inspiring Aussie award-winners and favourites in Best Of Australian Shorts. On 4 April, celebrate all things Euro and Flickerfest with eight stunning EU Shorts. From Belgium, to Ireland, to Germany and beyond these contemporary views of EU life, will have you mesmerised.
Festival Director Bronwyn Kidd has given us her seven not-to-be-missed top picks from this year's Flickerfest Queensland programme, with screenings across March and April on the Gold Coast, Nambour, Brisbane and Noosa, Flickerfest is sharing the short film love far and wide.
All of the films highlighted are inspiring, engaging and super creative cinema gems that will transport audiences to new worlds, celebrate alternative lives, challenge perceptions and broaden minds – powerfully and tenderly and all in just a matter of minutes.
One
'Marcia And The Shark' (Best Of Australian Shorts). ‘Marcia And The Shark’ is an exquisitely crafted and deeply compelling film that showcases the immense talent of director and cast alike, earning its place as the winner of the prestigious Panasonic Lumix Award for Best Australian Short Film. This Academy®-qualifying work masterfully weaves together a poignant and visually stunning narrative, anchored by an outstanding performance from Tilda Cobham-Hervey ('I Am Woman', 'Hotel Mumbai'), whose presence on screen is both powerful and deeply moving. With its striking cinematography and evocative storytelling, ‘Marcia And The Shark’ captures the essence of fearless filmmaking, resonating with audiences long after the credits roll.The Director Sam Ferris Bryant says: We wanted to turn this historical story into a 'what if' fantasy. Following a shark attack, Marcia comes back to life with something wild inside her, testing her doting fiancee Frank as they take to the road in his Mustang. Based on the true story of Sydney Harbour’s last fatal shark attack in 1963 and a larger-than-life actress who is its victim, Marcia takes us on a journey beyond the realms of reality.
'Marcia And The Shark'
Two
'All Of Us At River’s End' (Best Of Australian Shorts). ‘All of Us at Rivers End’ is a remarkable testament to the power of emerging voices in Australian cinema, brought to life by a team of passionate young QLD filmmakers all under the age of 25. Shot against the breathtaking rural landscapes of Queensland, this self-funded indie coming-of-age story exudes authenticity, heart, and an unfiltered exploration of youth, identity, and the bonds that shape us. Written and produced by Queensland locals, Ruben Russo and helmed by Director Nick Elson, the film is a true passion project that highlights the raw talent and dedication of its creators.The Queensland Writer Ruben Russo and Director Nick Elson say: ‘All of Us At River’s End’ navigates through very intense themes of depression, anxiety, masculinity, sexuality, blame, guilt, friendship and purpose and it was extremely important to myself that we were able to represent these themes naturally through the performances and the use of the lens. I wanted to be able to portray these emotions effectively through the use of camera movements and focal imperfections, and taking risks that I would not usually attempt in a traditional mainstream media setting. After watching the film, I want the audience to be able to reflect on personal experiences, to be open to discussions and to be impacted by the story and its characters. I believe we were able to create something that is captivating and fresh, and being at the forefront of something new and different was really inspiring to me.
'All Of Us At River's End'
Three
'Stranded' (Best Of Australian Shorts). ‘Stranded’ was shot in Far North Queensland with a talented local crew. A sharp, wildly entertaining comedy, ‘Stranded’ turns heartbreak into hilarity. When Kelly dumps Brian, his world falls apart, just like when their cruise ship sank, leaving them stranded together on a deserted island. With clever writing, perfect comedic timing, and a playful take on love and survival, 'Stranded' keeps audiences laughing while exploring the absurdity of relationships and resilience.The Directors, Brisbane born-and-raised Reilly Archer-Whelan and Co-Director Michael Whyntie say: We are committed as a directing duo to creating bold, engaging films. ‘Stranded’ is an independent comedy short starring beloved comedians Michelle Brasier and Ben Russell.(as seen on Netflix's 'Aunty Donna's Big Ol House Of Fun', ABC & Netflix's 'Why Are You Like This', 'Utopia', 'Aunty Donna’s Coffee Cafe', 'Thank God You’re Here' and 'The Project'). As directors, we wanted to focus on bringing bold stories to the screen and to continue to push creative boundaries in independent filmmaking.
'Stranded'
Four
'And The Ocean Agreed' (Best Of Australian Shorts). With stunning performances and a moving story ‘And The Ocean Agreed’ has touched audiences across Australia. Independently created by a female-led team of emerging filmmakers in Queensland. ‘And The Ocean Agreed’ uses magical realism to have an impact around a societal issue that ultimately affects us all. Stunning cinematography and a moving musical score add to the journey of Vina who returns to happier times and memories, stirred by a trip to her favourite place, the ocean.The Director Tanya Modini says: I wanted the film to have a magical feel rather than a feeling of overt sadness. Sadness is something you cannot avoid with a story like this but by using devices like magical realism and different types of music, I wanted to elevate the film out of sadness and into a surreal, magical realm. The score was a big part of this and whilst piano was always going to be an essential element, I also wanted electronic sounds layered into the score so the tone stayed magical and didn’t become too melancholy. The choice to use anamorphic lenses was also made to elevate the fantastical, surreal feel of the film. The magic in the film shows us who Vina really is, not just how the dementia presents. While watching this film, I wanted the audience to be taken on a journey that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, and to experience the real individual who lives underneath the dementia and for all we know, may be more present than what we think or that they can articulate.
'And The Ocean Agreed'
Five
'Beautiful Men' (Belgium) (Best Of International Shorts and EU Showcase). A festival favourite, ‘Beautiful Men’ is a short film about three balding brothers going to Istanbul to get a hair transplant. A stunning achievement in animation, winning Best International Animation at Flickerfest 2025 and hot off its prestigious 2025 Oscar nomination. This delightful Belgian film captivates with its exquisite artistry, rich storytelling, and heartfelt humour, offering a unique and enchanting cinematic experience as it explores the relationship between three brothers united by baldness and insecurity. With its beautifully rendered visuals and charming narrative, 'Beautiful Men' is a testament to the power of animation to move, inspire, and delight audiences around the world.The Director Nicolas Keppens says: I wanted to make a film about a type of man that felt closer to how I feel, something more tender than what I have seen in films. ‘Beautiful Men’ is a short film about three balding brothers going to Istanbul to get a hair transplant. While there, they stay together in a hotel, and small troubles and emotions that they’ve been bottling up for a long time start to surface because of them being there together and also their situation of trying to solve their insecurities. The idea came to me when I was in Istanbul in 2018 for work. I stayed in a hotel that worked with a hair clinic, and one morning at breakfast, I saw a room full of bald men. It was really silent, not what you’d expect from a room full of men on a trip. You could feel the tension in the air because these men were there to try to solve their insecurities. It was a very touching thing to see. Since my brother and I are both balding, I could relate to it in a way.
'Beautiful Men'
Six
'This Is Not A Character, This Is Betrayal' (German) (Best Of International Shorts and EU Showcase). The stunning German drama ‘This Is Not A Character, This Is Betrayal’, tells the story of a mother and son. The 58-year-old hairdresser Melanie drives her son Stefan (32), a young author, to the first reading of his autobiographical debut novel 'DER SALON'. While for Stefan the trip turns into an argument about upward mobility narratives, his relationship with his mother and class shame, a pressing unease grows in Melanie: Who is her son, who suddenly talks as rantingly as the people on TV and looks as if he hasn't washed in three weeks? How is she supposed to hold her own in an environment that is actually completely alien to her and where she sees no place for herself? The situation escalates during the reading, where they find no more words for this conflict. The story of a distant love and the double shame. The shame of one's own origin and the shame of one's own dissociation from one's own origin.The Director Romina Küper says: I grew up in the Ruhr area in Germany, most of the time in my mom's hair salon. I love contradictions, especially when it comes to working class children who start to study or do an artistic job. In this film I was keen to explore the representation of the working class in the media and to make art that kicks up and humps down, that honestly plays with ambiguity, and doesn't want to belong. A working-class child never becomes bourgeois no matter what it does. As the saying goes: you can take the girl out of the ghetto, but you can’t take the ghetto out of the girl. I wish for more tolerance of ambiguity, a life of simultaneity: Mickey D’s and Hegel, Explosiv Weekend (German entertainment news magazine) and Chantal Ackerman, Barbie Pink and programming, Ruhr region (urban center with industrial worker heritage) and high culture!
'This Is Not A Character, This Is Betrayal'
Seven
'Me And Dad' (Ireland) (Best Of International Shorts and EU Showcase). A heartfelt and deeply moving Irish short, ‘Me And Dad’ has resonated as a festival favourite, capturing the delicate emotions of longing, connection, and unspoken love. With a beautifully understated yet powerful narrative, the film gently explores a child's quiet yearning for his father’s attention in a world that too often overlooks the small, important moments. Balancing tenderness with emotional depth, 'Me And Dad' is a poignant reminder of how we seek validation from those we love and the unexpected places where understanding and kindness can be found.The Directors say: ‘Me And Dad’ deals with loss and unconditional love. It is a commentary on mens' mental health. The shame, guilt, anger and selfishness of grief. The inability to speak up, the avoidance of real emotion, the glaring need of a maternal presence. The boy has tried everything to get through to his dad, and ultimately tries to fill his sister's shoes, knowing he has nothing left. He has no one. Our goal was to see if we could achieve an emotional pitch rarely seen in today's films, and to elevate a typical pub scene. I feel that guy cry/tearjerkers are incredibly difficult to achieve without feeling contrived/unearned and ‘Me And Dad’ is all about touching audiences and allowing men's vulnerability to be explored.
'Me And Dad'
More info and tickets.
Flickerfest hits Palace James Street 3-4 April. It's also headed to Nambour Cinema 26-27 March, HOTA Gold Coast 27 March, and The J (Noosa) 24 April.
