Film lovers in the New England region have one final chance to experience the magic of Flickerfest in Gunnedah this weekend, as the internationally acclaimed short film festival makes its second-last stop on its 2025 national tour.
Returning to The Civic Theatre on Sunday 3 August, Flickerfest will screen two sessions of award-winning and thought-provoking films: Australian Shorts at 12pm and International Shorts at 3pm.
Now in its 34th year, Flickerfest is Australia’s only Academy Qualifying and BAFTA Recognised Short Film Festival. The tour showcases the very best of more than 3,500 short films submitted from across the globe, celebrating stories that are bold, creative, and deeply human.
Gunnedah Shire Council Cultural Precinct Team Leader Danny Hankinson said Flickerfest offers a rare and enriching opportunity for regional audiences to experience world-class cinema without leaving town.
“Flickerfest is a unique concept in that it offers the best of both ‘worlds’ in film,” Mr Hankinson said.
“In the space of a few hours, you can immerse yourself in familiar scenes filmed in our own backyard, then undertake a visual journey to explore the unknown in lands further abroad.
“There’s always something new to discover through Flickerfest.”
The Best of Australian Shorts programme features a diverse mix of stories, from heartfelt moments to quirky humour and unexpected drama.
Among them is The Fix-It-Man and The Fix-It-Wooman, a soft sculpture animation set in Alice Springs about two characters who find love after a shared mishap. The NSW premiere brings to life the work of Yarrenyty Arltere Artists.
Other Australian highlights include The Dog, starring Grey’s Anatomy’s Kate Walsh as a vet confronting mortality with a talking canine; Marcia and the Shark, based on the true story of Sydney Harbour’s last fatal shark attack; and The Hoist, which tells the outrageous true story of a country inventor protecting the bush dance supper at all costs.
Meanwhile, the Best of International Shorts programme offers eight standout films from Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
In Beautiful Men, three brothers travel to Istanbul for hair transplants, only to confront deeper insecurities. Rhubarb Rhubarb, set in the UK’s Yorkshire Rhubarb Triangle, explores family ties and hidden threats amid the candlelit harvest.
From Sweden comes Game Rules, where a youth handball team faces unexpected scrutiny on their way to a tournament. In Thanks for the Milk, a French delivery driver realises he may be the reincarnation of an elderly man’s cat.
The international selection also features works from Ireland, China, Germany and the United States, all offering distinct voices and styles that reflect the diversity of global filmmaking today.
With its blend of homegrown talent and global storytelling, Flickerfest promises an afternoon of cinematic exploration for Gunnedah audiences.
“Flickerfest is breaking ground by encouraging filmmakers to herald both creative and authentic content,” Mr Hankinson said.
“It’s a brilliant way to spend your Sunday—watching short films that will make you laugh, cry, and see the world a little differently.”
Tickets are $15 per session or $25 for both sessions. All films are classified for mature audiences, with those under 15 required to be accompanied by an adult. To book, visit www.thecivic.com.au/live-theatre–events.
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