Dark comedies. Distinctive documentaries. Dramatic soap operas. Introducing the SBS Short Film Festival, showcasing diverse and underrepresented Australian creatives
- Four scripted and 10 non scripted short form productions dropping exclusively on SBS On Demand over three days
- Featuring Australian creatives from diverse communities that are underrepresented in the screen industry
- Opening night includes short film Out of Range, starring Australian actor and recent TV Week Logie nominee Aaron Pedersen
- The films were created and produced in VIC, QLD, WA, SA and TAS with funding from Film Victoria, Screen Queensland, Screenwest, South Australian Film Corporation and Screen Tasman
SBS is pleased to announce the inaugural SBS Short Film Festival, premiering exclusively on SBS On Demand from September 13 15. The festival will showcase 14 short films, over three days, from emerging Australian creatives.
The SBS Short Film Festival showcases an array of formats, subjects, topics and talent. Some films highlight the importance of friendship, family, culture and food, while others tackle topical issues such as Aboriginal child removals in the 1950s. While the shorts may be very different, they’re all heartfelt and heart warming there’ll be something for every viewer.
The SBS Short Film Festival is the product of the Short Form Content Initiative, a commitment to providing increased opportunities for Australian creatives from diverse communities. Partnering with five of Australia’s screen agencies, the initiative aims to increase the career development opportunities within diverse groups; all 14 films at the festival feature Australian creatives from underrepresented societies, including those from multicultural, Indigenous and LGBTIQ+ communities, and those living with disabilities.
SBS Director of TV and Online Content Marshall Heald said: “Our Short Form Content Initiative announced last year was a promise from SBS to encourage and celebrate emerging local talent, and we’re thrilled that the initiative has culminated into the SBS Short Film Festival for SBS On Demand. These films represent Australia’s diversity and will give a platform to creatives from communities that are underrepresented in the screen sector. We’re delighted to see this festival launch in September.”
The festival will celebrate diversity in all its forms. Out of Range, starring Australian actor Aaron Pedersen, is about an estranged father and son who reconnect when their car breaks down on a quiet road. Other scripted films include Tribunal, about a gay man seeking asylum in Australia and the translator who is assigned to his case; Amar, the story of a Muslim woman with Down syndrome who organises the wedding of her dreams, without a groom; and Molly & Cara, a dark comedy series about the unlikely friendship between an Aboriginal student and a bigoted, elderly lady.
Viewers will be able to watch a collection of moving documentaries including Limited Surrender that follows an artist’s journey after being diagnosed with MS; Lost Daylight explores Aboriginal child removals and stolen wages, focusing on one woman’s experience of being taken and placed in the Sisters of Mercy convent within All Hallows’ School in 1950s/60s Brisbane.
Fans of bold and poignant tales will love The Loop a comedic film about a first time television director with Down syndrome, Lorcan Hopper, who must work with a cast that can’t quite match his level of intensity and professionalism. Monsters of Many Worlds, divided into three episodes, is a live action and animation series that explores mythical creatures from different cultures. Bananas and Flavour Swap both delve into the connection between food, family and culture.
Tasmanian productions The Small Town Drifter and Sidelines showcase drift racing and cricket, highlighting everyday Australians who are overcoming their struggles by harnessing their passion for sport. Deafinition and Lives in Action explore the first hand experiences of a diverse cast
Deafinition takes us on a journey through the eyes and ears of someone who is profoundly deaf and Lives in Action documents a group of neurodiverse filmmakers as they interview six disabled Australians.
SBS partnered with five Australian screen agencies to bring these short films to audiences Film Victoria, Screen Queensland, Screenwest, South Australian Film Corporation and Screen Tasmania.
