Australia’s longest-running short film festival, the St Kilda Film Festival (SKFF) returns this winter for its landmark 40th year. From June 6 until June 16, the festival is set to showcase more than 150 films to cast a light on Australia’s best local short filmmakers.
From rip-roaring comedy to powerful drama and thrilling horror, you can catch the films at screening sessions across the City of Port Phillip, which presents the festival. There are screenings at famous venues such as the Alex Theatre and the Astor Theatre, as well as unexpected spaces like South Melbourne Market.
The red carpet opening night gala at the Astor will be even glitzier than usual, to celebrate the big anniversary. Emcee Brian Nankervis will host a screening of some festival standouts, which will be followed by an after-party where you can enjoy a boogie until late.
Highlights from the 2024 SKFF program include post-apocalyptic animation A Robot’s Dream, Martian narrative Distant Space and teenage tale of self-discovery Esperance to Freemantle.
All the familiar showcases and programmes will also return in 2024, including the Australian Comedy Showcase; Pride Without Prejudice hosted by Victorian Pride Centre; Australian Documentary Showcase; Brave New Worlds; Shifting The Gaze; Under The Radar and more.
This year, several new events will further beef up the line-up. First Nations in Conversation will bring together First Nations filmmakers from across the program into one session, while Through the Lens of Protest and Resistance is a special session hosted by Tasha James, the ABC’s manager of Indigenous collection and archives. Another new event is Ageing (Dis)gracefully, which will present the cream of the crop of stories about ageing and older people.
With more than 150 films to be shown across 52 screening sessions, you can discover the full program on the festival website here.
