Flickerfest brings award-winning short films to Mullumbimby

FLICKERFEST is set to return to Mullumbimby for its 28th year, delivering a three-day celebration of Australian and international short films to the Northern Rivers.

Running from February 27 to March 1 at Mullumbimby Civic Hall, the festival will showcase more than 40 films selected from a record 3,500 entries in Flickerfest’s Academy Award and BAFTA-qualifying competition.

The festival opens on Thursday, February 27, with a screening of the Best of International Shorts at 8pm, following an opening night party featuring craft beer, organic wine, and live entertainment.

The lineup includes Beautiful Men, winner of Best International Animation at Flickerfest 2025 and a nominee for the upcoming Academy Awards, alongside the Irish festival favourite Me And Dad and the German drama This Is Not A Character This Is Betrayal.

On Friday, February 28, the spotlight turns to Australian storytelling with the Best of Australian Shorts program.

The lineup features the world premiere of Vlog, written, directed by, and starring Emmy Award-winning actress Yvonne Strahovski (The Handmaid’s Tale) in her directorial debut.

Audiences will also have the chance to hear from Lismore-born filmmaker Naomi Fryer, whose haunting drama The Sax will screen fresh from its Flickerfest world premiere.

Local talent will take centre stage on Saturday, March 1, as Byron All Shorts celebrates its 20th year.

The competition highlights the region’s emerging filmmakers, with 12 finalists selected from across Byron Bay, Mullumbimby, Kyogle, New Brighton, Ballina, and Gulmarrad.

The festival wraps up on Saturday night with the Short Laughs Comedy program, showcasing sharp and witty storytelling.

Among the highlights is Candy Bar, a dark Australian comedy directed by Nash Edgerton (Mr Inbetween) and starring Damon Herriman (Justified, Breaking Bad), as well as the Dutch short Nelson the Piglet, which won the Jury Prize for Best Short Documentary at Flickerfest 2025.

Flickerfest director Bronwyn Kidd said she was thrilled to once again bring the festival to Mullumbimby.

“I’m always excited to be bringing Flickerfest home to Mullumbimby and the Northern Rivers where I live, Ms Kidd said.

“The films we are presenting are clever, soulful, insightful, moving and funny and I think they will really resonate with our local audiences.

“Our Mullumbimby Flickerfest and Byron All Shorts weekend is for people of all ages who love cinema and great stories and want to celebrate the best of short cinema with other local cinema lovers, in a fun and welcoming festival environment.”

For more information and tickets, visit iQ.org.au.