Our short film program this year is a curation of submissions and selected works from Australian & New Zealand filmmakers.
YEAH THE BOYS
Short film | 2023 | European Premiere | Australia | 8 min | Directed by Stefan Hunt
Synopsis
Yeah The Boys follows six young Aussie men as they sink beers at a backyard sesh well into the night. In essence, this film explores the celebration of Aussie larrikinism, and how fun it is... until it's not.
MARY
Short film | Drama | 2023 | European Premiere | Australia | 17 min | Directed by Aaron Lucas
Synopsis
Mary is a true story about a boy and his horse on an Australian cattle station. Forced to complete an impossible task, Peter must reconcile the blood and dust with the all-consuming majesty of the Australian environment.
LEA TUPU’ANGA/MOTHER TONGUE
Short film | Drama | 2024 | German & Danish Premiere | New Zealand | 17 min | Directed by Vea Mafile’o
Synopsis
Katherine, a young speech therapist of Tongan and European heritage has lied about her Tongan language skills to work with Siaosi - an elderly patient with aphasia who has lost his ability to speak English. Out of her depth, Katherine must find a way to communicate or risk her patient’s life.
THE CHOICE TO LOVE
Short film | Drama | 2023 | German & Danish Premiere | Australia | 12 min | Directed by Anna Dvorak
Synopsis
A hardworking Australian high school teacher takes care of her elderly Czech mother. When she is offered a promotion at work, she is confronted with the tough choice of picking between her professional obligation and her familial responsibility.
YARGH!
Short film | Comedy | 2024 | German & Danish Premiere | New Zealand | 12 min | Directed by Kris Brown
Synopsis
In the year 1700-and-something, a merry trio of pirates unearth a stash of riches on the beach of a remote island. But when carelessness sees their boat taken by the tide, they are quick to turn on one another and squabble over their prize. To make matters worse, the three learn that they're not alone on the island. A tribe of pint-sized inhabitants are interested in far more than their treasure. The pirates have to get past their greed and come together if they stand any chance of escaping with the loot, and their skins, intact.
PINCH
Short film | Drama | 2023 | German & Danish Premiere | New Zealand | 9 min | Directed by Aimee Patmore
Synopsis
A high school student battles a silent illness which she hides from her mother as her health quietly declines.
FOREVER YOURS
Short film | Thriller | 2024 | German & Danish Premiere | New Zealand | 15 min | Directed by Elliott Louis McKee
Synopsis
Following a devastating accident that leaves the love of her life paralysed, Valeria becomes his dedicated caretaker. Yet, beneath the surface of unwavering devotion, a disturbing obsession begins to emerge.
LURRPUNGU
Short film | Animation | 2022 | World Premiere | Australia | 6 min | Directed by Bernadette Trench-Thiedeman, Lynley Marlingia Nargoodah
Synopsis
Lurrpungu is an animated Dreaming story from Walmajarri Country, telling the story of the relationship between the Nakayayah (Major Mitchell cockatoo) and the Gling Gling (Pink Galah). Narrated in Walmajarri language, this animation was created using paintings from three generations of artists. Produced in conjunction with Mangkaja Arts and Marninwarntikura Womens' Resource Centre in Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia.
DATSUN
Short film | Drama | 2021 | New Zealand | 15 min | Directed by Mark Albiston
Synopsis
Matt is your typical angst-ridden fourteen-year-old boy. It’s just his Mum, Jo, and little brother Artie in the house after their Dad died. Matt sets off when he learns of Jo’s plans to sell her deceased husband’s Datsun.
FAVOURITES
Short | Comedy | German & Danish Premiere | 2023 | Australia | 6 min | English with English subtitles | Directed by Nick Russell
Synopsis
Two parents face an impossible choice when their family camping trip goes terribly wrong.