Short+Sweet Illawarra

30/11/2025

Just a reminder to tickethokders for today's scheduled Film Festival screening, it has been moved until early next year due to unforseen medical leave. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Any questions please email [email protected]
Please be patient it may take some time for replies. Cheers!

24/11/2025

WILDCARD RESULTS ARE IN!

What a Sunday. What a crowd. What a lineup.
Short+Sweet Illawarra proved once again that while we screen elite films, we are absolutely not a festival exclusive to the elite.

We are a melting pot of storytellers — filmmakers of every style, every voice, every background and budget.
And today, that beautiful mix shone brighter than ever.

Our three films advancing to this weekend's Gala Final screening are GEORGE DRAGON, THE LAND IS OUR ARCHIVE, and CACTUS!!!

🏆 2025 WILDCARD PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER
GEORGE DRAGON
Our festival’s iconic father-and-son duo have done it again — and the audience made it clear.
A heart-stealer, crowd-pleaser, and a perfect reminder that filmmaking magic doesn’t need millions… it needs heart.

Well done also to our People's Choice runner up: NAÏVE - A raw and remarkably well-received filmmaking debut, connecting deeply with our audience and securing second place, and to CACTUS and WOMBO tied for the bronze - Two completely different films — one heartfelt and grounded, one chaotic and surreal — equally embraced by our audience.

🏆 2025 WILDCARD JUDGES’ CHOICE — BEST FILM
THE LAND IS OUR ARCHIVES
A stunning poetic work from The Salons, chosen for its cultural depth, emotional resonance and cinematic craft.
Directed by: Angie Contini, Penelope Daw & Joan Gillison
Written by: Teena McCarthy
Starring: Teena McCarthy

🏆 FESTIVAL DIRECTOR SELECTION
CACTUS
Directed & written by Brandon Geoffrey Fairley & Steve Wilson-Alexander
Starring Brandon Geoffrey Fairley
Chosen for its honesty, heart, and the quiet bravery of its storytelling.

People’s Choice voting now resets, and our audience will vote for the overall festival People’s Choice Winner from the curated Gala lineup.

🎟 GALA FINAL – BOOKINGS NOW OPEN

📅 Sunday 30 November
🕝 2:30 PM
📍 Phoenix Theatre, Bridge St Coniston
🎟 Book now: https://www.trybooking.com/DHCXM

Come celebrate Illawarra talent, Australian filmmakers, international voices, and the heart of what makes Short+Sweet so special.

Experience the best of the best at the Short Sweet Illawarra Film Festival Gala Final — featuring winning films from around the world, plus our...

24/11/2025

Our final judge has submited their votes for our Wildcards! Stay tuned for the restults this afternoon and find out which of our Wildcard films will be given a second like, at our Film Festival Gala Final this Sunday!

19/11/2025

FILM FESTIVAL WILDCARDS: FEEL-GOOD, QUIRKY & UPLIFTING FILMS
Laughs, heart, and pure creative joy.

If you love films that make you smile, lift your spirits, or lean into the wonderfully weird, this is your batch. These shorts bring charm, humour, warmth, and a refreshing dose of indie personality — the kind of films that leave audiences buzzing.

Featuring:
🎉 George Dragon — A wholesome father–son collaboration bursting with imagination.
🎉 Donna’s Got It — A bold, energetic celebration of self-belief.
🎉 Wonder Women — Heartwarming stories of friendship and resilience.
🎉 Cactus — Offbeat comedy with a surprising emotional punch.
🎉 WOMBO — A wild, surreal adventure through pure imagination.

📅 2:30 PM · Sunday 23 November
📍 Phoenix Theatre, Bridge Street Coniston
🎟 Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/DHCXB

🏆 Audience + judges choose which films out of our 15 Wildcard short films will advance to the Gala Final next week.

19/11/2025

POETRY OF THE SCREEN featuring THE SALONS
Where Cinema Becomes Poetry.
This year's Wildcard lineup includes a stunning suite of poetic, visually lyrical films — led by the exceptional filmmaking collective The Salons. Known for creating unusual, art-forward screen experiences rooted in sustainable practice and deep collaboration, The Salons bring a level of craft and cohesion that elevates the entire program. Their work is thoughtful, powerful, and filled with emotional and cultural resonance.

📅 2:30 PM · Sunday 23 November
📍 Phoenix Theatre, Bridge Street Coniston
🎟 https://www.trybooking.com/DHCXB

🏆 Vote for your favourites — two films will move into the Gala Final.
Featuring films by The Salons:
✨ The Land is Our Archives
✨ You of Distance, Me of Distance
✨ Sacred Heart: A Love Story

Also featuring poetic cinema from the Illawarra:
✨ The Vision Quest of Little Mouse

These films invite you to slow down, feel deeply, and let the images wash over you.

18/11/2025

ILLAWARRA WILDCARDS SHOWCASE
Seven local films. One community. One chance to shine.
Illawarra and South Coast filmmakers deliver everything from heartfelt drama to surreal imagination and full-throttle creativity — a powerhouse representation of our region’s talent.

📅 2:30 PM • Sunday 23 November
📍 Phoenix Theatre, Bridge Street Coniston
🎟 Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DHCXB

🏆 Only two films from the entire 15-film Wildcard lineup will advance to the Gala Final on Nov 30.

TURNER
Directed by Tony Barea
Written by Vicki Gard
Starring Matias Klaver, Vicki Gard, Amy Victoria-Brooks
Synopsis: After a devastating prenatal revelation, a father spirals into intense psychological grief — a raw exploration of love, responsibility and inner torment.

KING OF THE GONG
Directed by Chiara Metters
Starring Isabella Phillips Bohane, Bronte Locke, Yelena Hammond
Synopsis: In coastal Wollongong, drag kings Bazza, Dusty and Darling’s Aussie banter reveals the heart and hustle behind local q***r performance culture.

NAIVE
Directed & written by Aston Di Donato
Starring Yasmin Matar, Lola Stephenson, Sienna Page, Lucy Buxton
Synopsis: A group of teenage friends begin drifting apart as adulthood pressures creep in — a sharp, intimate coming-of-age story.

THE VISION QUEST OF LITTLE MOUSE
Directed & written by David John Geenen
Synopsis: A vivid visual retelling of a beloved children’s story about courage, self-discovery and the search for purpose.

WONDER WOMEN
Directed & written by Lisa Hughes & Christian Power
Starring Judi, Ann, Di
Synopsis: Three women share an early-morning ritual in a quiet seaside town — a gentle portrait of resilience, friendship and routine.

GEORGE DRAGON
Directed & written by Ricky Gamble & Patrick Gamble
Starring Ricky Gamble & Patrick Gamble
Synopsis: A father and son create a whimsical short film together, full of heart, humour and imagination.

CACTUS
Directed & written by Brandon Geoffrey Fairley & Steve Wilson-Alexander
Starring Brandon Geoffrey Fairley
Synopsis: A man battling addiction finds unexpected hope and humour in an unlikely place.

18/11/2025

ILLAWARRA WILDCARDS SHOWCASE
Seven local films. One community. One chance to shine.
Illawarra and South Coast filmmakers deliver everything from heartfelt drama to surreal imagination and full-throttle creativity — a powerhouse representation of our region’s talent.

📅 2:30 PM • Sunday 23 November
📍 Phoenix Theatre, Bridge Street Coniston
🎟 Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DHCXB

🏆 Only two films from the entire 15-film Wildcard lineup will advance to the Gala Final on Nov 30.

TURNER
Directed by Tony Barea
Written by Vicki Gard
Starring Matias Klaver, Vicki Gard, Amy Victoria-Brooks
Synopsis: After a devastating prenatal revelation, a father spirals into intense psychological grief — a raw exploration of love, responsibility and inner torment.

KING OF THE GONG
Directed by Chiara Metters
Starring Isabella Phillips Bohane, Bronte Locke, Yelena Hammond
Synopsis: In coastal Wollongong, drag kings Bazza, Dusty and Darling’s Aussie banter reveals the heart and hustle behind local q***r performance culture.

NAIVE
Directed & written by Aston Di Donato
Starring Yasmin Matar, Lola Stephenson, Sienna Page, Lucy Buxton
Synopsis: A group of teenage friends begin drifting apart as adulthood pressures creep in — a sharp, intimate coming-of-age story.

THE VISION QUEST OF LITTLE MOUSE — Short
Directed & written by David John Geenen
Synopsis: A vivid visual retelling of a beloved children’s story about courage, self-discovery and the search for purpose.

WONDER WOMEN
Directed & written by Lisa Hughes & Christian Power
Starring Judi, Ann, Di
Synopsis: Three women share an early-morning ritual in a quiet seaside town — a gentle portrait of resilience, friendship and routine.

GEORGE DRAGON
Directed & written by Ricky Gamble & Patrick Gamble
Starring Ricky Gamble & Patrick Gamble
Synopsis: A father and son create a whimsical short film together, full of heart, humour and imagination.

CACTUS
Directed & written by Brandon Geoffrey Fairley & Steve Wilson-Alexander
Starring Brandon Geoffrey Fairley
Synopsis: A man battling addiction finds unexpected hope and humour in an unlikely place.

23/06/2025

Short Film submissions close at the end of the month for this year's Short+Sweet Illawarra Film Festival. Your short film can be about any subject matter, in any style, shot on any device. The only limit is that it must run for ten minutes (or less).

SUBMIT YOUR FILM via Filmfreeway:
https://filmfreeway.com/ShortSweetFilmIllawarra

Illawarra filmmakers can enter their films for just $20 ($15 for students or FilmFreeway Gold members).
Limited fee waivers are available for those who don't have the cash to submit - to apply please contact festival director Luke Berman on messenger or email [email protected]