St Kilda Film Festival 2023

Overview

You'll find big things in small packages at the St Kilda Film Festival this year. That's always true at Australia's oldest short film festival, which has been celebrating bite-sized filmmaking for 39 years now. Shorts couldn't be more crucial to the cinematic cycle of life — they're where directors, writers, actors and more cut their teeth; they make excellent calling cards and stepping stones; and telling a tale in a concise way is a pivotal talent that isn't always put into action in full-length features.

Showcasing all of the above is on the marquee from Thursday, June 1–Monday, June 12, at an event that's screened works by Adam Elliot (Mary and Max), Matthew Saville (Noise), Kriv Stenders (Red Dog), Cate Shortland (Black Widow) and Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog) in the past. In 2023, the festival spans 12 huge days of screenings — heroing short flicks of all genres — plus talks, panels, special events and workshops in the oceanside locale.

Jim Lee

It all kicks off with a spectacular opening night at the Palais Theatre, then also hits up The Astor Theatre, JMC Academy's Park Street campus, The Backlot Studios, Victorian Pride Centre, The Espy, South Melbourne Market and other venues.

As always, the backbone of the festival is Australia's top short films, complete with filmmakers from every corner of the country competing for prizes. Also on the bill at ticketed screenings: programs dedicated to queer, student, documentary, family-friendly animation, Aussie animation, Australian comedy, horror, sci-fi and fantasy, crime, Aussie drama, experimental, female-directed and Victorian-made shorts.