St Kilda Film Festival Announces 2026 Top Shorts Nominees

The St Kilda Film Festival (SKFF) has released the list of nominees for its 2026 Top Shorts Program, the festival’s flagship competition for short‑film makers across Australia. The announcement comes after a record 960 submissions were received, a 7 % increase over the previous year. The competition carries a prize pool of more than $40,000, including a $10,000 award for Best Short Film. Winners will be announced at the festival’s free Awards Ceremony and Closing Night Party on Sunday 14 June at St Kilda Town Hall.

The nominees span a range of genres and styles. Darker comedies Writers in Love, directed by Sarah Giles, and Question 57, directed by Ben Bouvier‑Farrell, each received multiple nominations. The Shirt Off Your Back, a dark fairy‑tale from previous Best Director winner David Robinson‑Smith, earned six nominations for its dual‑perspective narrative. Robin Kalus’ Fracture and Annelise Hickey’s Stranger, Brother, both dramas, each received four nominations. These titles are among the most recognized in the current slate.

The selection process began with a panel of industry professionals who reviewed all 960 entries. Shortlisted films were then screened throughout the festival and later judged by a jury composed of festival alumni and screen‑industry experts. The jury’s mandate was to evaluate technical craft, storytelling, and overall impact. The process aims to highlight emerging talent and innovative storytelling within Australia’s short‑film community.

In addition to the Best Short Film award, the competition includes categories such as Best Original Score, Best Achievement in Sound Post‑production, Best Achievement in Editing, Best Achievement in Screenplay, Best Achievement in Indigenous Filmmaking, Best Achievement in Cinematography, Best Young Actor, Best Actor, Best Animation, Best Documentary, Best Director, Innovation Award, Best Achievement in Production Design, Best Youth Short Film, and Best Short Film. Sponsors for each category include AKG, JBL, Roar Digital, Cinema Nova, CitiPower, Panavision, City of Port Phillip, Chameleon Casting, Deakin University, Shaun Miller Lawyers, Australian Directors’ Guild, VicScreen, and JMC Academy.

The awards ceremony will take place at St Kilda Town Hall on Sunday 14 June at 7 pm, hosted by Brian Nankervis. The event will also feature a Closing Party. Winners of the Best Documentary and Best Short Film will receive Academy Awards® accreditation, a recognition that can enhance a film’s visibility in international markets. The ceremony is free to the public, with tickets available through the festival’s website.

The festival’s online platform lists all 2026 films and provides searchable details for each entry. The St Kilda Film Festival website also offers information on program schedules, venue details, and booking options. The festival’s 2026 lineup features nearly 200 short films, reflecting the growing diversity and ambition of Australian short‑film creators.

The festival’s youth program, Under the Radar, showcases emerging filmmakers and actors. Nominees were announced alongside the Top Shorts nominees, and winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony, supporting talent under 25.

The Academy Awards® accreditation for Best Documentary and Best Short Film winners is a rare honor for a festival of this size. It allows the films to be considered for the Academy’s short‑film categories.

St Kilda, a Melbourne suburb known for its arts scene, provides a fitting backdrop for the festival, drawing filmmakers and audiences from across Australia.

With nominees announced and the awards ceremony set for mid‑June, the St Kilda Film Festival affirms its role as a leading platform for Australian short‑film talent. The record submissions and prize pool underscore its growing influence.