Next month, Australia's largest short film competition, FLiCKERFEST, returns for its 33rd year, rolling out the red carpet at Sydney's famed Bondi Beach (19-28 January).
Shortlisted from more than 3,400 submissions, the FLiCKERFEST 2024 programme boasts 210 short films showcasing the diverse range of emerging cinematic talent – both here in Australia and abroad.The only short film competition in Australia to have official Academy® Qualification and BAFTA recognition, the ten-day programme will screen titles that will 'move, inspire and entertain audiences'.
On the home front, 62 Australian films are officially selected for the Best of Australian Competition, while 42 international films will contend the Best of International Competition and 16 documentaries across the Best of Documentary Competition. A further 100 films will also feature across Flickerfest showcase sessions.
Flickerfest's prestigious Academy® Qualifying Competitions of 130 short films include 43 world premieres, 61 Australian premieres and 14 NSW premieres.
Other awards that will be judged include the Flickerfest Award for Best International Short Film, the Yoram Gross Award for Best International Animation, the Panasonic Lumix for Best Australian Short Film and the Flickerfest Award for Best Documentary – all of which are Academy® Qualifying.
"With a record of over 3,400 entries received Flickerfest 2024 will again deliver an outstanding programme celebrating our most talented contemporary storytellers, both here in Australia and from around the world," Flickerfest director Bronwyn Kidd says.
"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 films from talent who are destined to inform the future of cinema."
Alongside the best of short films from Australia and the world in competition, audiences will also be delighted with FlickerUp, a celebration of youth filmmaking from across Australia; 'Rainbow Shorts' – an amazing LBTQI films in competition at home and across the world; FlickerKids – special showcases of kids and family-friendly films; 'Love Bites' – films about relationships; and 'Short Laughs' – hilarious comedy films.
"It was more than 30 years ago that a few actor friends and myself began our first Theatre Company in what was then the upstairs theatre at the Bondi Pavilion," shares Baz Luhrmann, director and FLiCKERFEST supporter.
"From there, supported by people in the industry, we were able to get our start, so it's a great thing that just outside the forecourt, FLiCKERFEST now gives a similar opportunity for short filmmakers to have a stage upon which they can present their short films in our local neighbourhood."
Adds Claudia Karvan, actress and FLiCKERFEST patron: "Being a Bondi local is not the only reason I've eagerly attended FLiCKERFESTfor many years. It's the only international short film festival and it's under the stars. Rare and romantic. I hope we can all enjoy this important showcase for years to come."
At the completion of the festival, Flickerfest will share the short film love on tour to over 50 venues across Australia between February and October, 2024.
Tickets are on sale.
FLiCKERFEST takes place at Bondi Pavilion (Sydney) between 19-28 January.
FLiCKERFEST Short Film Festival's 2024 Programme Highlights
Australian Films
'Unspoken' - directed by Damian Walshe-Howling'Coldwater' - directed by Jay & Shaun Perry
'Cactus' - directed by Milena Bennett
'Beautiful Things' - directed by Paul Pinga Matereke
'Fences' - directed by Duncan Ragg
International Films
'Seven Minutes' - directed by Ricky Gervais (UK)'My Week With Maisy' - directed by Mika Simmons (UK)
'War Is Over' - directed by Dave Mullins (USA)
Documentary Films
'Finding Home' - directed by Lester Jones (Australia)'Kala Kunbolk (Colour Country)' - directed by James Haskard & Nina Haigh (Australia)
'Line Rider' - directed by Simon Intihar (Slovenia)
