Shannon Ryan and Travis Jeffery in Dusty.

St Kilda Film Festival has today announced the full 2024 program including Australia’s top short films.

Presented by City of Port Phillip the program features more than 150 films to be shown over 52 screening sessions at venues across St Kilda and South Melbourne. The famous opening night event will be held at The Astor Theatre on Thursday 6 June featuring a superb selection of Australian short films that will amaze, amuse, and astound.

Drawn from a call for entries from hundreds of new, short films from around the country, this year’s red-carpet opening night gala event features a sensational program of comedies, powerful drama, animation, horror and fantasy, emceed by Brian Nankervis. The screening will be followed by an after party for a chance to rub shoulders with the filmmakers for a spectacular celebration of Australian short films.

This year’s program will take audiences on an incredible journey through some of Port Phillip’s iconic theatres including The Alex Theatre and The Astor Theatre, in addition to some unexpected venues such as South Melbourne Market. In 2024 SKFF has received record entries from First Nations filmmakers and the Festival is very privileged to be able to screen the work of these Australian filmmakers and showcase so many stories.

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A highlight event as part of the First Nations program will be held atThe Espyon Saturday 15 June: Through the Lens of Protest and Resistance. In this very special session – MC’d by Tasha James, Manager of Indigenous Collection and Archives for ABC – SKFF presents a snapshot of First Peoples’ fight for justice and equality through the moving image. The session includes No Way to Forget, directed by Richard Frankland, ASIO Makes a Movie, directed by Dr Alec Morgan and Babakiueria, directed by Don Featherstone. Musician, singer and songwriter, Jungaji will perform live with his band and he, with Richard Frankland will share their personal journeys.

Made in Victoria session #1 and #2(presented by VicScreen) features films that encompass action, comedy, magical realism, poetic animation, period drama, teenage angst, tightly wound relationship drama and off-world animation. This is an evening not to be missed on the local screen calendar, and coupled with the Awards Ceremony hosted by Zoe Coombs-Marr and After Party on 16 June, is the perfect way to close out the 2024 program.

Richard Sowada, SKFF Director said: “This program is the biggest the festival has ever mounted and it’s hardly surprising given the 40th anniversary celebration.

“In curating the program, I had the pleasure to be able to select from a record number of entries and although tough to do, what we’re delivering to audiences is a rare glimpse into the future of Australian cinema. It’s incredibly thrilling to experience and be a part of,” he said.

For more information on screenings and bookings, visit: stkildafilmfestival.com.au