by FilmInk Staff
121 submissions narrowed to 30 films in contention for the 2027 AACTA Award for Best Short Film, reflecting the strength and diversity of short filmmaking across Australia.
From film school graduates and emerging voices to established filmmakers, short films continue to provide a platform for original storytelling, with the power to inspire, challenge and connect audiences and the wider screen community.
The selected films represent the breadth of Australian short filmmaking, encompassing genres and formats including drama, comedy, horror, animation, science fiction, documentary, romance, crime and coming-of-age stories.
The selection also reflects the diversity of stories being told by Australian filmmakers, with films exploring themes including identity, mental health, grief, family, belonging, cultural identity, artificial intelligence, youth justice and relationships.
Several of the selected films have already screened or received recognition at Australian and international film festivals, including Sydney Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, Flickerfest, St Kilda Film Festival, SXSW, Sundance Film Festival, BFI Flare, Fantasia International Film Festival, Raindance Film Festival and Palm Springs International ShortFest.
First Nations stories are also represented across the selection, including films set in and connected to communities and cultures across Australia. The 30 films also include animated works, genre films and stories drawing on personal and contemporary experiences.
A panel of judges from across the screen industry was tasked with reviewing this year’s 100+ entries and narrowing the field. After weeks of careful consideration, 30 short films have been selected to progress to the next stage of Awards consideration. The selected films will now be made available for all AACTA Members view, with voting to commence shortly. The highest-ranked films will progress to become nominees for the 2027 AACTA Award for Best Short Film.
The pre selected productions:
A Grief Encounter
A Stable for Horses
Adios, Mr Adidos
Alpha Test
Ashen
Boy on Fire
Bubba
Clay
Crescendo
Flame
Flesh Fruit
Flight Risk
Headphones
Help! Everything Is Fine
Maŋutji (Catching Eyes)
No Thank You
Our Choir Has Always Been Travelling
Protest on the Dancefloor
Souvenir
Spiders On My Lashline
The Native Police
The Secret Assistants
The Squatters and the Fairy Princess
Sublet
The Suit
The Worm
Today Again
Trading Cards
Transcendence
Tuesday Tuesday
Congratulations to the filmmakers, cast and crews behind this year’s selected films. We look forward to sharing their work with AACTA members as the race for the 2027 AACTA Awards begins.
