Short film competition and festival Flickerfest is back at Bondi, celebrating its 34th year.
Flickerfest returns to Bondi Beach this summer, with a programme showcasing a glittering line-up of short film cinema. The unmissable ten-day event is set to roll out the red carpet for some promising emerging talent, and bring a global perspective to our shores.
The 2025 programme features more than 200 inspiring short films chosen from a pool of more than 3,400 entries.
“With over 3,500 entries, Flickerfest 2025 promises to deliver an exceptional programme that celebrates the work of contemporary storytellers from both Australia and around the world,” Flickerfest Director Bronwyn Kidd says. “We’re thrilled to present a selection of bold, inspiring, and unforgettable short films from emerging talent destined to shape the future of cinema.”
The Academy-qualifying competitions will include 130 short films, with 37 world premieres, 46 Australian premieres, and 5 New South Wales premieres.
In addition to the competition films, there’ll be a range of curated programmes suitable for a number of audiences. There’s FlickerUp, celebrating youth filmmaking; Rainbow Shorts, showcasing LGBTQI cinema; FlickerKids, for kids and family-friendly films; Love Bites, exploring films about relationships; and Short Laughs. . . Offering hilarious comedies.
The festival features the world premiere of ‘Vlog’, the directorial debut of Emmy-nominated Australian actress Yvonne Strahovski. She explores the chaotic reality of motherhood and social media pressures.
Then there’s the world premiere of ‘Candy Bar’ from acclaimed director Nash Edgerton, a dark comedy starring Damon Herriman (‘Mindhunter’, ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’).
Belinda Bromilow, known for her work in ‘Doctor Doctor’ and ‘The Great’, makes her directorial debut with ‘Glove’, following an adventurous young woman in search of love.
Internationally, audiences can look forward to the Australian premieres of ‘Hearts Of Stone’ starring Noomi Rapace, and poetic animation ‘The Brown Dog’, voiced by the late Michael K. Williams and featuring Steven Buscemi.
Judith Kerr’s beloved children’s book ‘Mog’s Christmas’ will be brought to life through a hand-drawn animated special, director by Robin Shaw and created by the team behind ‘The Tiger Who Came To Tea’. Plus, ‘Rhubarb Rhubarb’ is an intimate portrayal of Jo and her elderly father, who harvest pink rhubarb. It captures their ancestral tradition and highlights the danger of the changing world around them.
Tickets are on sale now.
Flickerfest 2025 is on at Bondi Pavilion from 17-26 January. It goes on tour from February-October.
