Australia's longest-running short film festival, the St Kilda Film Festival, has unveiled its 2025 award nominees, offering over $40,000 in cash and prizes across 14 categories. Several films received multiple nominations, with records set for the number of entries and screenings this year. Winners will be revealed at a ceremony in June.
The St Kilda Film Festival (SKFF) has announced the nominees for its 2025 awards, highlighting emerging talent in short filmmaking. This year's edition breaks records with the highest number of films received and screened, underscoring the festival's growing prominence in Australia's independent cinema scene.
Standout entries include The Meaningless Daydreams of Augie & Celeste, directed by Pernell Marsden, which earned nominations in six categories. The film depicts two best friends engaging in a high-stakes imaginative game that spirals into a threat to their bond. Another strong contender, Unstoppable, directed by Jack Byrnes and Marcus Porcaro, secured three nods. It follows a paraplegic former defense contractor battling masked intruders seeking classified information.
A panel of industry experts will judge the Top Short Films Awards, including cinematographer Ellery Ryan (known for Wishful Thinking with Drew Barrymore), filmmaker Rhianna Meltzer (Thor: Ragnarok, Elvis), editor Cindy Clarkson (I.Q. with Tim Robbins and Meg Ryan), film programmer Spiro Economopoulos, and Fred Gesha from the City of Port Phillip.
Key prizes include $10,000 for Best Short Film, sponsored by the City of Port Phillip, with nominees: A Long Drive, The Meaningless Daydreams of Augie & Celeste, Hiraeth, I’m Not Your Heroine, and Unspoken. The Innovation Award, backed by VicScreen, offers $2,000 to one of I Like Long Walks on Parramatta Road, Bluebird, Rage, or Red Earth. Best Director, with $1,500 from the Australian Directors’ Guild and AFTRS, features Pernell Marsden (The Meaningless Daydreams of Augie & Celeste), Bee Jessup (Bicker), Katie McGuinness (I Like Long Walks on Parramatta Road), and Riley Blakeway (A Thousand Odd Days).
Victors in Best Short Film and Best Documentary qualify for Oscar consideration in their respective short film categories. The awards ceremony is set for Sunday, June 15, at 7:30 pm, hosted by Sammy J at St Kilda Town Hall, followed by a closing party. Full nominee lists span categories like Best Youth Short Film, Original Score, Sound Post-Production, Editing, Screenplay, Indigenous Filmmaking, Cinematography, Acting, Animation, and Documentary.
