Flickerfest's Bondi Event 2026
Catch over 200 short films at Flickerfest 2026 this summer.
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Overview
Flickerfest 2026 is back this summer, bringing its 35th edition of short films to the Bondi Pavilion from Friday, January 23 to Sunday, February 1.
Australia's largest short film competition (with Academy® Award and BAFTA qualifications) will transform Bondi Beach into a ten-day celebration of storytelling, new talent and world-class cinema under the stars.
Flickerfest received over 3,700 submissions for the 2026 competition, with more than 200 short films hand-selected for the program. The lineup champions inventive storytelling and emerging talent that's designed to move, challenge and entertain through the very best short films Australia (and the world) has to offer.
Beyond the new and emerging talent being showcased, Flickerfest 2026 also sees entries from established directors, actors and producers with names like Renée Zellweger, Spike Lee, Hugo Weaving, Susie Porter and Gary Sweet all making an appearance on the program.
This year, there's a mix of curated showcases to cover the breadth of stories submitted. Rainbow Shorts presents LGBTQIA+ stories from around the world, and the First Nations Showcase includes a powerful Survival Day program that honours Indigenous voices. FlickerUp Youth champions young voices while FlickerKids helps to inspire kids and families through its lineup of shorts.
Love Bites showcases the short films that tackle relationships in all their messy glory, while Short Laughs features the funniest short films of the festival. Flickerfest lets you enjoy cinema under the stars with palm-fringed alfresco cinema, comfy air-conditioned theatres, and beachside bars with delicious food and drinks to snack on in between screenings. You can hear firsthand from directors who will introduce their films and immerse yourself in the creative atmosphere of the festival, located just metres from Bondi Beach.
The 35th International Short Film Festival remains the beating heart of Australian short filmmaking and creativity. With tickets starting from just $22, a curated program and ten days of screenings, Flickerfest is a launchpad for new talent and an unforgettable part of Sydney's summer calendar.
Book your tickets now at the Flickerfest website.
Image Credits: Supplied
