Australian Shorts & Awards

The MQFF Australian Shorts has been one of our most prestigious and popular presentations for many years, with numerous entrants having gone on to do great things.

This is your chance to get in on the ground floor as we showcase the best of Australia’s emerging filmmaking talent – a timely reminder of the breadth of talent out there and why supporting Australian film is important now, more than ever. MQFF and City of Melbourne are proud to present this selection of shorts; stick around after the screening for the announcement of our Jury Awards. The winner of the City of Melbourne Award for Best Australian Short will also qualify as MQFF's official selection for the Iris Prize – the largest prize for LGBTIQ+ short film in the world.

Shorts

Mary (2020) Unclassified 18+, 9 Mins
Single, 30 something Aaron, is packing up his deceased mothers home with sister Jane, when his one night-stand turns up on their doorstep.

Her Own Music (2020) Unclassified 18+, 20 Mins
On the cusp of graduation, Maddie’s blooming relationship with another student forces a choice between suppressing her newfound self or throwing out the last eighteen years of her life.

Fireworks (2021) Unclassified 18+, 15 Mins
In order to fulfil his New Year’s resolution, a lonely teenager downloads Grindr and attempts to lose his virginity in the final hours of the year.

Atomic Love (2020) Unclassified 18+, 10 Mins
It’s 1988. Recently married Dana helps her eternally-single friend Aleea make a video profile for a dating service Atomic Love, provoking a confession which forces them to address the nature of their relationship.

Haze (2021) Unclassified 18+, 13 Mins
Haze uses an old camcorder to film their body at night. When their mother finds the camera and watches Haze’s private video, the shimmers of new understandings penetrate the day.

PURRR (2021) Unclassified 18+, 6 Mins
Through the eyes of members of the queer community in Naarm, this film is an ode to queerness and expression.

Be Careful with Me (2021) Unclassified 18+, 9 Mins
When Luke sees his much older ex-boyfriend Mark again, he struggles with deep feelings that he thought were under control.

All the Colours (2020) Unclassified 18+, 3 Mins
A glimpse into the casual roller coaster of a relationship bound together in house lockdown during the Covid-19 2020 international Pandemic. Shot by us, featuring us, edited by us, this film blends our respective careers as dancer and filmmaker and captures an authentic snap shot of our marriage during these strange times. A documentary dance film by The Samaya Wives.