FLiCKERFEST 2026 Official entries for our International, Australian and Documentary competitions are now closed, except for invited entries.
For late entry enquiries please contact: coordinator@flickerfest.com.au

Celebrating its 35th year in 2026, Flickerfest has grown to become Australia's leading competitive International Short Film Festival celebrating masterful, creative and impactful storytelling and the most original voices from filmmakers across the globe. Flickerfest will screen in January 2026 under the stars over 10 days in the peak of the Australian summer at the iconic Bondi Beach with select highlights of the festival touring to around 45 venues Australia wide.

Flickerfest is an Academy Award® Qualifying and BAFTA Qualifying festival. Since 2003 Flickerfest has been a recognised festival by the Academy® of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. With four awards qualifying for consideration across our International, Australian and Documentary Competition categories.

For 3 and a half decades Flickerfest has welcomed filmmakers from at home and around the world to celebrate their films on the big screen with our passionate and loyal audiences. Our popular screenings, gala festival events and filmmaker workshops connect filmmakers with the wider industry and each other, creating an immersive and welcoming festival experience.

Join us on the red carpet at Bondi Beach this January as Flickerfest brings 35 years of the most engaging, bold and entertaining short films to our film loving audiences and celebrates our most talented filmmakers from at home and across the world.

Awards & Prizes

INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
• Flickerfest Award for Best Short Film (Academy Award® Qualifying)
• Flickerfest Special Jury Award
• Yoram Gross Award for Best Short Animation (Academy Award® Qualifying)
• EU In Award for Best EU Short Film
• Azure Productions Award for Best Rainbow LGBTQi Short Film *both international and Australian films in competition are considered for this award.

DOCUMENTARY AWARD
• Flickerfest Award for Best Short Documentary (Academy Award® Qualifying)
*both Australian & International short documentaries are eligible for this competition.

AUSTRALIAN AWARDS
• Panasonic Lumix Award for Best Australian Short Film (Academy Award® Qualifying)
• Spectrum Films Award for Best Direction in an Australian Short Film
• AFTRS Award for Best Screenplay in an Australian Short Film
• Yoram Gross Award for Best Australian Short Animation
• John Barry Award for Best Cinematography in an Australian Short Film
• Avid Award for Best Editing in an Australian Short Film
• Avid Award for Best Original Music in an Australian Short Film
• Rebel8 Award for Outstanding Emerging Female Director

FLiCKERUP AWARDS
• Flickerfest Award for Best Australian Youth Short Film
• Yoram Gross Award for Best Australian Youth Short Animation
• Avid Award for Best Editing in an Australian Youth Short Film

Plus many other cash and industry prizes.

Industry and cash prizes will be awarded of approx $30,000 AUD in value.

Rules & Terms

To be eligible for Flickerfest film competitions all shorts must be no more than 35 minutes in length.

All selected films must be available for screening on H264 or ProRes 422 file.

All productions screening at Flickerfest 2026 must have been completed within 2 years of the entry closing date.

All films must be in English or have English subtitles.

DUE TO THE COMPETITIVE NATURE OF FLiCKERFEST, WE REQUIRE FILMS TO BE AUSTRALIAN PREMIERES. (with the exception of other Academy Awards® Qualifying Australian festivals).

FOR ALL COMPETITIONS WE REQUIRE FILMS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN BROADCAST IN AUSTRALIA OR MADE AVAILABLE PUBLICLY ON THE INTERNET.

*NOTE: ENTERING A FILM IN FLiCKERFEST CONFIRMS YOU ACCEPT OUR ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS and T&C's!

*Note: The programming team may consider an exception to the above rules at their discretion.

Following the festival, a small selection of highlights screened in the International and Australian competitions plus some in out-of-competition programmes will be toured around Australia. If your film is unable to tour it WILL remain eligible for competition. All touring films will be paid screening royalties.

* Note: There are no premiere requirements for FlickerUp our national competition for young Australians 18 or under.
70 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • Duncan Ragg

    A fantastic festival! The staff gave huge support to ensure each screening sold out well in advance with deeply appreciative audiences. They love filmmakers, and work hard to get them connecting with other filmmakers in the festival. Many thanks to Bronwyn and the amazing team.

    March 2025
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  • David Ledger

    Absolutely fantastic experience at Flickerfest. A brilliant programme - so many quality shorts and of course such a beautiful location. Bronwyn and all the team made us international filmmakers feel so welcome. A joy to have attended from London.

    February 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled you had a fantastic experience at Flickerfest and enjoyed the incredible lineup of short films. It was an absolute pleasure to welcome you all the way from London, and we’re so glad you felt at home with us. The team loved sharing the festival with such talented international filmmakers like yourself. Hope to see you again at the beach for another unforgettable celebration of cinema! ✨🎬🌊

  • Ben Crisp

    A wonderful festival run by a dedicated team, in one of the most beautiful locations in the world. Thank you for your incredible passion for film and filmmakers and for bringing diverse stories to an invested audience.

    February 2025
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    Response from festival:

    We truly appreciate your kind words! Showcasing diverse stories and bringing them to an engaged audience is at the heart of what we do. It’s our passion to celebrate film and create a memorable experience for everyone involved. We look forward to welcoming you back for more inspiring moments! 🎬✨

  • Sam Henderson

    One of the best fests I’ve ever attended. Sydney is a stunning city, and the warmth of the people at fest - from the directors to the patrons - is unmatched. It’s worth making another film just to have another chance at playing here again.

    February 2025
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    Response from festival:

    We're so thrilled you had such a great experience at Flickerfest and felt the warmth of our festival family. It was an absolute pleasure to have you with us, and we’d love to see your work on our screen again in the future. Here’s to many more incredible films and festival adventures! ✨🎬🌊"

  • Gisela Chicolino

    Please keep working on generating this exquisite programming for the audiences. @films.to.festivals

    June 2024
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