Australian Short Film Today 2023 programme
The London Australian Film Festival continues its long-standing relationship with New York-based Australian Short Film Today, with a screening of their latest selection of the best short films Australia has to offer.
Let the 2022/23 selection take you on a journey of journeys, from first days at school, to first tattoos, to voyages across the sea and on the waves. This eclectic batch of shorts, by a diverse range of filmmakers from across the continent features animation, comedy, drama and documentary.
WHY WE CHOSE TO SCREEN THIS SHORTS PROGRAMME:
Laila (LFF Director):
"We have been longing to bring you all the next instalment of the annual programme of shorts collated by our friends in NYC. We're especially thrilled that included is a short from ex-London-ex-pat Andrew Robb, who was the star and producer of the long-running London play, The Vegemite Tales which over 60k people went to see!"
Presented in association with Australian Short Film Today. With thanks to Chris and Francesca Beale. Event Producer: Annie Parnell.
FULL PROGRAMME DETAILS
FREEDOM SWIMMER
Animation/Documentary - 15 minutes - 2021
Writer/Director: Olivia Martin-McGuire
Winner: Best Animation Award & Visionary Filmmaking Award, Aspen Shortsfest 2022
The story of a grandfather’s perilous swim from China to Hong Kong that parallels his granddaughter’s own quest for a new freedom.
TWO SANDS
Drama - 7 minutes - 2021
Director: Poppy van Oorde-Grainger
Writers: Kook Manuer and Poppy van Oorde-Grainger
WA Screen Culture Award - Innovation in Short Film 2021
As Garang struggles on his first day at high school in Australia, memories of being lost in South Sudan are triggered.
WIDOWERS
Drama - 12 minutes- 2020
Writer/Director: Julian Tuna
Official Selection, Palm Springs International Film Festival (2021)
A meditation on suburban masculinity as two ageing men negotiate grief, rage and forgiveness without exchanging a word.
ODD ONE OUT
Family/Comedy/Puppetry Animation - 7 minutes - 2020
Writer/Director: Andrew Robb
Best Film & Best Editing, SF3 (SmartFoneFlickFest) Australia 2021
Struggling to fit in to a new community a lonely doll goes on a journey of discovery.
SUNNIES
Drama - 11 minutes - 2021
Writer/Director: Ismail Khan
Official Selection, Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2022
After roaming the streets of his neighbourhood one morning, Malcolm, a troubled and somewhat delinquent teen, decides to steal a pair of sunglasses from the local shops – an act that is later revealed to be part of a much bigger plan.
YOU AND ME, BEFORE AND AFTER
Comedy/Drama - 11 minutes - 2020
Writer/Director: Madeleine Gottlieb
Winner, Short Film Production of the Year, Screen Producers Australia Awards 2021
Two adult sisters who love each other learn to like each other while getting their first tattoos.
COLD WATER THERAPY
Documentary/Adventure/Surfing - 25 minutes - 2021
Writer/Director: Remy Brand
Official Selection, Flickerfest 2021
Three Australian childhood friends come together to escape the ordinary, taking on the raw, unforgiving Alaskan Winter in hopes of scoring uncrowded surf.