by FilmInk Staff
Michala Banas, Susie Porter and Sean Keenan among Finalists
CinefestOZ Film Festival has announced finalists in the 2025 CinefestOZ Short Film Competition, ahead of the Short Film Awards, which will be held Thursday 4 September in Margaret River as part of Australia’s largest destination film festival (30 August to 7 September).
Recognising exceptional storytelling and talent in the short filmmaking sector of the Australian film industry – more than 250 entries were received from filmmakers across Australia – with 51 films screening as part of the Short Film Program and 30 finalists in the running for awards, as selected by an independent jury of industry professionals including Courtney Mulvay, Zak Hilditch, Nicholas Clifford, Merlin Eden, Karla Hart, Shane McNeil and Celia Tate.
CinefestOZ CEO Cassandra Jordan said: “2025 is our biggest year yet for the Short Film Program with a phenomenal increase in the number and quality of short films – almost doubling last year’s entries.”
“We’re thrilled that there’s so many filmmakers working and sharing their stories, as it means festival goers have such a fantastic selection of films to watch at the festival. Narrowing down our finalists, however, has been an enjoyable challenge.
“Many of our short filmmakers are also travelling to CinefestOZ to see their films on the big screen, with some participating in Q&As at the end of each Short Film Set, so we are expecting lots of interaction and conversation at these events as well as at the Short Film Awards.
Cash prizes are up for grabs in three of the seven categories including Best Short Film ($5000), Best Indigenous Short Film ($2500) and the Cinewest Best WA Short Film ($2500).
Nominees for Best Short Film:
Help! Everything is Fine (VIC) – when a young man’s failed suicide attempt results in the death of a stranger, he calls the only person he can think of for help: his mum. Directed by Isaac Brown and starring Susie Porter (Apple Cider Vinegar) and Sean Keenan (Barons).
I’m the Most Racist Person I Know (SA) – when a romantic gesture towards a bartender backfires, Lali unexpectedly finds herself offered a pity date by another bartender, Ana. Directed by Leela Varghese and starring Shabana Azeez and Kavitha Anandasivam.
Packed Away (VIC) – Em and her father need to pack away her mother’s belongings after her passing. A fairly simple act, but a difficult one. And her father really seems to be coping well. Or is he?… Directed by Michala Banas (Upper Middle Bogan) and Finegan Sampson and starring John Banas, Michala Banas.
No Feedback (NSW) – While a team of professional bank robbers wait for the heist to begin, their nerves and egos clash as their penchant for improv and killer impressions threaten to unravel their meticulously laid plans. Directed by Benjamin Ryan and starring Steve Maresca, Adrian Epulso.
Passing Signals (WA) A lonely, middle-aged man stumbles upon a peculiar television broadcast featuring a woman who can see and hear him through the screen. Captivated, the man and the woman forge an intimate connection, filling each other’s emotional void through their shared virtual intimacy. Directed by Russell Wyatt Roberts and starring Megan Aspinall and Michael Rainon.
Nominees for the 6 remaining categories:
CineWest Best WA Film – E Mum; She Kinda Liked The Beach; Burst; Mia
Best Director – Michala Banas & Finegan Sampson – Packed Away; Joseph Chebatte – Dependent; Isaac Brown – Help! Everything is Fine; Darwin Schulze – Bluebird
Best Performance – Susie Porter in Help! Everything is Fine; Michala Bana in Packed Away; William Todder in SoundBoy; Joel Drabble in Granite Highway
Best Screenwriting – E Mum; Cordelia, Daughter of the Sea; Hero; Set Menu
Best Indigenous – Anangu Way; Ornmol; Re-Imagining Our Futures: Birthing; Wadjemup Wirin Bidi
Best Animation (in partnership with WAnimate) – Set Sail: To the Westward Star; Lori; Drawn in the West
The Short Film Awards event – hosted by author, youth worker and actor Brooke Blurton who’s debut film It Will Find You is screening as part of the Official Program – includes a showcase of the five Best Short Film Finalists ahead of the Awards ceremony on Thursday 4 September at 6pm at Margaret River HEART – Nala Bardip Mia (Our Story House). Guests enjoy a sparkling welcome with canapés and drinks.
Australia’s largest destination film festival 2025 Program features over 200 film screenings and events and celebrates its 18th year. The nine-day festival will be held from 30 August –7 September in Western Australia’s South West and will provide festivalgoers with the opportunity to see some of Australia’s best new films first, and connect with filmmakers and visiting talent at the region’s cinemas, wineries, restaurants, boutique breweries, small bars and galleries in Augusta, Bunbury, Busselton and Margaret River. Book tickets www.cinefestoz.com
