The St Kilda Film Festival returns from 4–14 June 2026, bringing more than 190 short films to screens across St Kilda in its most diverse program to date.
Proudly presented by the City of Port Phillip, the festival will take over key venues including the Palais Theatre, Astor Theatre and St Kilda Town Hall, with screenings, special presentations and industry events running across 10 days.
This year’s Top Shorts competition received a record 960 submissions, with the Academy Awards® qualifying section showcasing the best of Australian short film, alongside 15 awards presented across the festival.
Program Highlights
The 2026 program spans comedy, drama, horror, documentary and experimental film, featuring work from established and emerging Australian talent.
Selected screenings and events include:
- Opening night gala at the Palais Theatre (4 June)
- PBS live broadcast of Stone Love at the Astor Theatre (5 June)
- “St Kilda Rocks” documentary double bill featuring Punkline and Last Drinks
- Live Cinema Experience, where films are created in real time on stage
- A range of filmmaker Q&As and one-off special screenings
The festival also includes dedicated showcase sessions across First Peoples storytelling, LGBTIQ+ filmmaking, women and gender-diverse creators, comedy, genre cinema and Victorian productions.
Emerging Talent & Industry Program
The Under the Radar competition continues to spotlight filmmakers aged 21 and under, with 135 submissions this year highlighting the strength of Australia’s next generation of screen talent.
Alongside screenings, the festival also hosts a full industry development program featuring workshops, panels and networking events designed for filmmakers at all stages of their careers.
St Kilda Film Festival runs from Thursday 4 June to Sunday 14 June 2026 across multiple St Kilda venues.
Full program details and bookings are available via the official festival website.
