Flickerfest – Made in Melbourne and Award-Winning Shorts Programs

Overview

The national Flickerfest roadshow pulls into Melbourne on February 13 with its caravan of Australian and international short film hits. With their not-so-commercial prerogatives and YouTube-able length, short films are a very fun watch — and yet we rarely get to see them in public screenings. Flickerfest is one of the country's premier remedies for this.

The festival is renowned for being Australia's only competition accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science and recognised by BAFTA, which means award winners here go on to be considered for Oscars. In 2013, this recognition has extended from the Best Short Film and Best Animation categories to cover the Best Australian Short, too. It's a huge badge of honour for Flickerfest, which had its humble beginnings 22 years ago at Balmain High School.

Rock up to Kino Collins Street to see a 'best of' this year's competition, which ran in Sydney in January. Short films screening include Yardbird, winner of Best Australian Film at Flickerfest 2013; the Alexandra Schepisi-directed Lois, starring Jacki Weaver; and the newbie from former Tropfest winner Alethea Jones, Dave's Dead. International inclusions include Italian-made Tigerboy, winner of the Renault Award For Best Short.