The curtain is about to rise for the St Kilda Film Festival (SKFF), revealing its most diverse and thought-provoking program yet, of almost 200 short films curated from record submissions. From 4 – 14 June, film lovers will be awed and astonished by films celebrating the depth, diversity and originality of Australian cinema.
Proudly presented by City of Port Phillip, the festival will transform St Kilda into a hub for audiences and filmmakers alike, with screenings, special presentations and industry events across iconic venues including the Palais Theatre, the Astor Theatre and St Kilda Town Hall.
“From 4 – 14 June 2026, our city comes alive once again as bold ideas, inventive storytelling and the very best of Australian short-form cinema take centre stage,” said City of Port Phillip Mayor Alex Makin.
“As Australia’s longest-running short film festival, the St Kilda Film Festival reinforces the City of Port Phillip as a creative powerhouse, championing emerging talent while celebrating the achievements of Australia’s most accomplished filmmakers.”
With 15 awards up for grabs, the festival’s prestigious Top Shorts competition showcases the very best Australian short films and is an Academy Awards® qualifying event. This year, the competition received a record-breaking 960 submissions, seven per cent more than the previous year.
Across the program, audiences can experience everything from local stories and the best of comedy to horror and experimental works. The line-up includes films starring and created by major Australian talent, including Hugo Weaving, Kat Stewart, Colin Lane and Sophie Wilde, alongside new work from filmmaker and performer Ed Oxenbould and animator Michael Cusack in his live-action debut.
Special events include a red-carpet opening gala at the Palais Theatre on 4 June, followed by a stand out night at the Astor Theatre on Friday 5 June, where PBS brings its cult radio show Stone Love to the stage for a live broadcast.
This is followed by St Kilda Rocks, featuring two documentaries on seminal St Kilda venues, Last Drinks (1996) about the Prince of Wales Hotel which has only been screened publicly once before, and Punkline (1980), about the Crystal Ballroom.
One of the festival’s fastest-selling sessions, the Australian Comedy Showcase delivers a laugh-out-loud start to the long weekend. This sharp and chaotic line-up dives into the absurdities of modern life, from relationship misfires and family dysfunction to social slip-ups and internet-age anxieties. Followed by a filmmaker Q&A.
Other highlights include the Live Cinema Experience, where films are created in real time before an audience, along with filmmaker Q&As and one-off screenings. The festival’s youth competition, Under the Radar, continues to champion filmmakers aged 21 and under, with 135 submissions this year, highlighting the strength of Australia’s next generation of storytellers.
The quick-to-sell-out Pride Without Prejudice: LGBTIQ+ celebrates the sparkling diversity of Australia’s LGBTIQ+ creative community. Expect a mix of comedy, horror, animation and deeply personal storytelling, followed by drinks and networking at the Victorian Pride Centre.
A standout program of films by women and gender-diverse filmmakers, Shifting the Gaze highlights some of the most exciting voices in Australian screen culture. The session concludes with a filmmaker Q&A and industry networking opportunities.
“In spending so much time with this great selection, I have a feeling that 2026 marks a turning point for the short film format in Australia to my eye,” said SKFF Director Richard Sowada.
“We know that some filmmakers who have featured in the last couple of years of St Kilda Film Festival are now in preproduction with features or embarking on massive cinematic adventures, and that momentum has some serious presence in this year’s program. So much confidence. So much risk. So much ambition. It’s just great,” said Sowada.
“The 2026 St Kilda Film Festival program celebrates the talent, diversity, and cinematic excellence on display across Australia, while nurturing the next generation of screen storytellers. We’re proud to support St Kilda Film Festival as it continues to cultivate and champion local production and talent,” said VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher.
The St Kilda Film Festival (SKFF) returns to the big screen from Thursday 4 June – Sunday 14 June 2026. For more information and full program, visit: www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au for details.
Image: St Kilda Film Festival Opening Night at the Palais Theatre – photo by J Forsyth