Australia’s premier short film festival will, once again, showcase more than 200 films from around the world at Bondi Beach, featuring works from emerging filmmakers alongside internationally recognised talent in its 34th edition.
Festival Overview
Flickerfest will run from 17-26 January, 2025, at the Bondi Pavilion, screening films under the stars. The festival, which qualifies winners for Academy Award and BAFTA consideration, selected these films from more than 3,400 entries worldwide. The event spans 10 days with 24 dedicated programmes covering diverse genres and themes.
The programme features 63 Australian films competing for national honours, while 36 international films and 15 documentaries vie for their respective categories. Among the 130 films in competition, audiences will see 37 world premieres and 46 Australian premieres, with an additional five NSW premieres rounding out the programme.
Notable Premieres
Emmy Award-nominated actress Yvonne Strahovski will present her directorial debut “Vlog,” exploring modern motherhood and social media pressure. The film, shot with her own family, offers insights into the challenges of balancing career and family life. The Sydney-raised actress, who graduated from Nepean University before finding success in the US, brings her personal experience to the project.
Filmmaker Nash Edgerton returns with “Candy Bar,” starring Damon Herriman in a dark comedy. Edgerton, known for “The Square” and “Mr Inbetween,” brings his experience as a writer, director, producer, and stuntman to this latest short film.
The international programme includes “Hearts of Stone” from Belgium, featuring “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” star Noomi Rapace. The animated work “The Brown Dog,” featuring voices of the late Michael K. Williams and Steve Buscemi, brings together Pulitzer Prize-nominated composer Tyshawn Sorey with Buscemi also serving as Executive Producer.
“Rash,” directed by Sydney-based filmmaker Claudia Osborne, examines grief through the story of two young brothers coping with their mother’s death. The NIDA graduate’s debut brings her theatre experience to the screen.
Kate Walsh stars in “The Dog,” a surreal exploration of mortality directed by Danielle Baynes. The film follows a struggling vet’s encounter with a mysterious sick dog, leading to unexpected revelations.
Beyond the main competition, the festival includes dedicated sessions for young filmmakers through FlickerUp, LGBTQI-themed films in Rainbow Shorts, and family-friendly screenings in FlickerKids. The programme also features relationship-focused films in Love Bites and comedy shorts in Short Laughs.
National Reach
Following its Bondi Beach run, the festival will tour more than 40 venues across Australia until October 2025, bringing short films to audiences nationwide. Festival director Bronwyn Kidd said the selection represents contemporary storytelling from both Australian and international filmmakers, highlighting fresh perspectives in cinema.
Tickets for Flickerfest 2025 are now available through flickerfest.com.au. The festival website provides full programme details and screening schedules for the January 17-26 event at Bondi Pavilion.