FLiCKERFEST 2026 – 35th International Short Film Festival On Tour
& BYRON ALL SHORTS – Northern Rivers Short Film Competition
Mullumbimby Civic Hall | Thur 26th to Sat 28th February 2026

Bringing the magic of cinema from Australia and the world to Mullumbimby, Flickerfest & iQ Inc are back with the Flickerfest 35th International Short Film Festival Tour, marking its 29th year in the region. The festival kicks off its 3-day festival of short films at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall, Thur 26th to Sat 28th February.

With just over 40 incredible short films to share, handpicked from a record 3,700 entries received for Flickerfest’s Oscar and BAFTA Qualifying short film festival, the festival promises to delight audiences with the most creative, inspiring and entertaining shorts on offer, including Oscar nominees and award winners, screening alongside exciting, fresh local talent.

Thursday 26th February 7pm, raise a glass to 29 years of Flickerfest in the Northern Rivers at the festival’s Opening night party with delicious Rosnay organic wine, Gage Roads beer., Karma Drinks organic juices/drinks & sumptuous snacks from Yaman.

Following at 8pm Flickerfest will take you on a trip across the world with the Best Of International Shorts programme. Among a host of international highlights enjoying their Australian premieres is the delightful Oscar-nominated A Friend of Dorothy, starring UK acting royalty Miriam Margolyes and Stephen Fry, who take us on a heartwarming journey where wisdom, compassion and friendship are found in the most unexpected places. Also hot off the Oscar nominations is the powerful and intimate The Singers. Joining them is moving Indonesian film My Plastic Mother, winner of the Flickerfest 2026 Best International Short Film and Radix, winner of Flickerfest 2026 Best International Animation, a visually striking and imaginative animated short. view sizzle reel

On Friday 27th February 8pm, Australian films shine with the Best of Australian Shorts programme, honoring our unique identity and culture. Catch a collection of stunning shorts supported by big names both in front of and behind the camera. Moving drama Tuesday Tuesday, won best female director at Flickerfest 2026 and stars Peter Phelps (Stingers) in a stellar performance as a man whose world is fading. Whilst Packed Away gives us the directorial debut of actress Michala Banas (Always Greener, Mcleod’s Daughters) who shines both on and off camera in this personal and intimate drama and actor Matt Day (Rake) writes and directs the comedy Baby Shower starring the legendary Hugo Weaving in a dark comedy about family friendship and unexpected happening at a familiar ritual. view sizzle reel

Saturday 28th February 2pm, Join us for a free Filmmaking Workshop. As Flickerfest celebrates 35 years we go behind the scenes with Flickerfest alumni, award winning director, actor and Suffolk Park resident Wayne Blair in conversation with Flickerfest director Bronwyn Kidd. On television, Wayne is best known for his AACTA-nominated work in Redfern Now, Total Control, Mystery Road, Irreverent, Aftertaste, and the upcoming Paramount+ series Dalliance. Film credits include Emu Runner, Wish You Were Here opposite Joel Edgerton, The Last Time I Saw Michael Gregg directed by Steven Soderbergh, Extraction with Chris Hemsworth, The New Boy directed by Warwick Thornton, and Ruben Östlund’s upcoming film The Entertainment System is Down opposite Keanu Reeves and Kirsten Dunst. Wayne has directed three feature films, The Sapphires, Septembers of Shiraz and Top End Wedding, and multiple television series, including Mystery Road, Bay of Fires, Total Control, Plum, and Goolagong. Wayne also won the 2020 AACTA Award for Best Documentary for Firestarter, which he co-directed with Nel Minchin.

Saturday 28th February 4pm, Flickerfest and IQ inc will again shine the spotlight on a host of local talent at the 21st year of Byron All Shorts Competition. Enjoy a selection of incredible Northern Rivers short films on the big screen, celebrating our local stories alongside their peers from across Australia and the world. Meet the filmmakers along on the day to introduce their films. Programme TBA 18th Feb.

Saturday 28th February 8pm, Short Laughs Comedy programme brings big laughs to the screen with the Short Laughs Comedy programme, a riotous collection of off-kilter Flickerfest shorts from Australia and around the world. Don’t miss Carcassonne-Acapulco, where a chance encounter at 30,000 feet sparks a surprisingly profound and funny existential debate whilst hurtling through the sky; Baby Blues, a sharply observed comedy that hilariously captures the anxieties, paranoia and emotional free-fall of new parenthood; and Shrimp Fried Rice, a warm and witty tale that finds humour in cultural misunderstandings, family expectations, the emotional significance of a humble takeaway meal and so much more!. view sizzle reel

Celebrating 29 years as national Flickerfest festival director in 2025 and 35 years of Flickerfest Bronwyn Kidd says: I’m always excited to be bringing Flickerfest home to Mullumbimby and the Northern Rivers where I live. 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.

WHERE: Mullumbimby Civic Hall

TIMES & PRICES: Cafe/doors open 1hr prior to session times
Thu 26th Feb 8pm: Best of International Shorts. $30/ $25 (inc Opening night drink & snacks from 7pm)
Fri 27th Feb 8pm: Best of Australian Shorts. $18/ $16con
Sat 28th Feb 2pm: Filmmaking Workshop (free) *doors open 1.30pm
Sat 28th Feb 4pm: Byron All Shorts Finalists Screening & Awards $18/ $16con
Sat 28th Feb 8pm: Short Laughs Comedy $18/ $16con
*all screenings approx runtime is 120 mins; workshop is 75 mins

FESTIVAL INFO & TICKETS: iQ.org.au/flickerfest-mullumbimby-byron-all-shorts-2026/

Flickerfest Mullumbimby & Byron All Shorts 2026 is a fundraiser for the Island Quarry Reserve.