Australia’s longest-running short film festival, the St Kilda Film Festival (SKFF), returns for its 41st year with its most ambitious program to date, screening more than 150 films across 10 days from June 5-15, 2025.
Presented by the City of Port Phillip, the festival will take over iconic venues including the Palais Theatre for Opening Night, the Astor Theatre, South Melbourne Market, and the newly reintegrated St Kilda Town Hall as its central hub.
“This year’s program reflects an astonishing creative surge in Australian short filmmaking,” says Festival Director Richard Sowada.
“We received a record number of submissions and are proud to present our biggest lineup yet, showcasing bold voices and innovative storytelling.”
The 2025 edition makes history with its largest First Nations program to date, including a dedicated strand curated by Fred Gesha focusing on motherhood and birthing stories by First Nations women filmmakers. The festival also spotlights a revival of analogue filmmaking, with 12 titles shot on Super 8 and 16mm.
Notable films include Damian Walshe-Howling’s Unspoken, exploring political and personal turmoil in 1970s Sydney; Nathan Woods’ poignant documentary See Me: A Film About Redro Redriguez about the late Melbourne music legend; and Samantha Alexis Laughton’s powerful Fence, blending Western and First Nations storytelling traditions.
Special program highlights include:
- First Nations Women in Film (June 8) featuring works exploring matriarchy and cultural reclamation
- The Edge of Seventeen (June 9) capturing youthful energy and rebellion
- Analogue Experience (June 14) celebrating the resurgence of film formats
- Shifting the Gaze (June 14) showcasing female and gender-diverse filmmakers
The reimagined St Kilda Town Hall will serve as the festival’s social heart, transformed into a cabaret-style cinema with a bar, live music, and filmmaker lounge.
“From emerging voices to established talents, this year’s program demonstrates the incredible depth of Australian short film,” adds Sowada. “We can’t wait to share these stories with audiences.”
St Kilda Film Festival runs June 5-15 at venues across Port Phillip. Tickets and full program details available at stkildafilmfestival.com.au.
