Flickerfest 2027 Call For Entries Now Open | On Tour This July: Byron, Merimbula, Canowindra, Kalgoorlie, Darwin, Katherine and Cairns
2027 Entries Now Open | & The 2026 Tour Continues..
Image: ‘La Pa Legends: A First For Mardi Gras’ film still
First up, our Call for Entries is officially open and submissions are already rolling in. We can’t wait to see your short films! Our early bird discounted entry fee runs through until August 14, giving filmmakers the chance to submit at the best value -final entries close October 14th.
This July: We’re kicking off with our NAIDOC Week screenings in Byron Bay and Kalgoorlie, followed by two stunning nights in Merimbula, then a night of laughs in Canowindra, before heading up to the Top End for Darwin and Katherine, and finishing the month with a weekend of screenings in Cairns.
Read on for more details!
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Celebrate NAIDOC Week With Us in
Byron Bay & Kalgoorlie
Image: ‘Faceless’ film still
Join us for two special NAIDOC Week screenings celebrating First Nations storytelling and this year’s theme ‘50 Years of Deadly’ on Tuesday 7th July in Byron Bay and Thursday 9th July in Kalgoorlie at 6.30pm. The Byron Bay screening is presented by Arakwal BoBBAC, Flickerfest & iQ Inc, and the Kalgoorlie screening by Flickerfest & the Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre.
Both evenings feature the same powerful First Nations Spotlight Shorts programme, curated from Flickerfest’s recent Academy® qualifying Australian competition.
Audiences will be taken on an inspiring journey through seven remarkable films by some of the leading voices in First Nations cinema today, including Bringing His Spirit Home, The Truth About The Telegraph, La Pa Legends: A First For Mardi Gras, Faceless, Second Chance, The Secret and Catchin’ Mumoo, stories that move, inspire and celebrate deep connection to Country, culture and community.
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Two Big Nights of Short Film Magic in Merimbula
Image: Bowl Cut’ film still
Merimbula film friends, save the date for Friday 10th and Saturday 11th July. We are so excited to be returning to the beautiful Twyford Theatre as part of our 2026 national tour, with two jam-packed nights of short film magic.
Friday 10 July at 7.30pm is Best of Australian Shorts, a celebration of bold, brilliant and uniquely Australian voices lighting up screens across the country. This unmissable line-up features award winners and festival favourites, showcasing the very best in homegrown storytelling, from heartwarming tales to powerful dramas and everything in between.
Saturday 11 July at 7.30pm is Short Laughs Comedy, a riotous collection of comedy gems from Australia and around the globe. Clever, quirky and downright hilarious, it is the perfect way to lift your winter spirits and share a night of laughs with friends.
With delicious food and drinks available and a buzzing atmosphere of fellow film lovers, it is the perfect excuse to get out, rug up and enjoy the magic of Flickerfest under one cosy roof.
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Comedy in Canowindra
Image: ‘Carcassonne-Acapulco’ film still
We’re absolutely delighted to be heading back to Rosnay Organic Vineyard in Canowindra on Saturday 11 July for another wonderful night of short films, great company, delicious food and award-winning wines.
We’re bringing our much loved Short Laughs Comedy programme, a collection of the funniest, quirkiest and most entertaining short films from Australia and around the world, filled with eccentric characters, unexpected twists, plenty of laughs and a few delightful surprises along the way.
Doors open from 5.30pm for pre-show drinks and a bite to eat, with the films beginning at 6.30pm. Gather your friends, book a table, and join us for a cosy mid winter evening of comedy, cinema and Rosnay hospitality.
Two Special Flickerfest Screenings in the Top End
Image: ‘Scar’ film still
We’re thrilled to be heading back to the Top End with two special Flickerfest screenings at The Deckchair Cinema Darwin on Saturday 18 July at 7.00pm and Katherine Cinema 3 on Thursday 23 July at 7.00pm, presenting the Best of Australian Shorts and a celebration of contemporary Australian storytelling. Handpicked from our recent Bondi festival competitions, this programme features standout films including the Darwin-born and raised filmmaker Jemma Cotter’s The Fling, a bold hybrid LGBTQI stop-motion horror rom-com starring Zachary Ruane, alongside award winners and festival favourites.
We’re also proud to present a special First Nations Spotlight Shorts session at The Deckchair Cinema on Saturday 18 July at 9.10pm, featuring seven powerful films from leading First Nations voices, including the 35th anniversary archive highlight Scar by Tiwi director Tiffany Parker, who will be joining us on the night. From powerful Indigenous storytelling to the very best in Australian short film, these screenings offer a moving, entertaining and unforgettable glimpse into stories from across the country.
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Cinema Under the Stars Returns to Cairns
Image: ‘Crossbow’ film still
Cairns friends, join us at the beautiful Cairns Botanic Gardens on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July, with screenings under the stars from 7.30pm each night. Grab your friends, pack a picnic, bring a blanket or a comfy chair and settle in for two unforgettable nights of Australia’s best short films in one of Cairns’ most magical outdoor settings.
Friday night is all about the Best of Australian Shorts, a brilliant mix of comedy, drama and heartfelt storytelling from some of the country’s most exciting filmmakers, featuring familiar faces including Hugo Weaving, Kat Stewart, Colin Lane, Peter Phelps and Michala Banas.
On Saturday, join us for a special 35th Anniversary Retrospective celebrating the incredible filmmakers who got their start at Flickerfest and went on to become some of Australia’s leading screen talents, with early works from Joe Brumm, David Michôd, Rachel Griffiths, Nash Edgerton, Adam Elliott, Warwick Thornton and more. This year marks Flickerfest’s 35th birthday, and there is no better way to celebrate than sharing these extraordinary Australian stories with Cairns audiences under the stars.
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Looking Ahead As The Tour Rolls On
Flickerfest is on the move, with the festival continuing its national tour right through to early September 2026.
From vibrant regional hubs to major city screens, we’re bringing a handpicked selection of the finest Australian and international short films to audiences across the country. Expect standout programmes including Best of Australian Shorts, Best of International and our much loved First Nations Spotlight — along with special events and local highlights at selected venues.
Here’s where we’re heading next as we wrap up the tour for 2027:
2 August, Gunnedah
22 & 29 August, Cygnet
4 September, Broome
From sharp comedies and powerful dramas to inventive documentaries and bold animation, Flickerfest 2026 continues to showcase the very best in short filmmaking — right across Australia.
Find your nearest session and join us on the road.
Categories: News Tags: Flickerfest 2027 Entries, Flickerfest Tour 2026