The Very Short Film Festival (VSFF) is bringing bold, inspirational and touching new Australian stories to the big screen in Brisbane for the very first time, with a special event at Five Star Cinemas, New Farm on Thursday 17 July.
Audiences will experience the Top 20 Finalist Films from the 2025 festival spanning drama, comedy, documentary and animation. For Festival Director Tamara Svirskis, the beauty of the VSFF lies in its simplicity. With films running between two to five minutes, anyone can plant the seed of a great story.
“There’s a lot of power in being able to tell a story in just five minutes, which still has a beginning, middle and end,” she says.
Svirskis says the festival began in 2021 in response to COVID as a way for people to connect while being distanced. It has since grown to become a national film festival. Open to Australian residents, all of the films must be created especially for the festival, responding creatively to the signature theme. For 2025, that theme is Seed.
“We want people sharing stories from now, we don’t want people just re-entering old films already on the festival circuit. We want films to be capturing the contemporary issues and themes facing Australians today.”
The Very Short Film Festival celebrates storytelling across all genres, from emerging voices to established creatives. Finalists are selected by the VSFF Ambassadors and Jury, which includes respected Australian screen leaders Justin Kurzel, Marta Dusseldorp, Leah Purcell, and Essie Davis.
From laugh-out-loud moments to stories that move or challenge you, the Finalist Films explore ideas with depth, heart and humour, offering audiences a glimpse into the world, themselves, and the times we live in. The short format means there’s something for everyone.
“Audiences can expect a range of emotions,” says Svirskis. “They can expect to be laughing out loud, which is wonderful. There are films with deep themes. We’ve got a horror film which is always an audience favourite. We’ve got lovely relationship pieces. Audiences can expect to be touched in moments, and that’s why we love keeping this five minute format, because there really is something for everyone to enjoy.”
The Finalist Films also include standout work from the Junior category, showcasing the talent of high school-aged storytellers from across the country.
“There’s actually a beautiful animation by one of our junior Brisbane filmmakers,” she says. “It’s a story about a lonely girl who befriends a crow. It is incredible that a 16 year old can actually tap into such mature themes of relationships between animals and humans.”
An overview of the 20 Finalist Films being screened can be found at the website.
Svirskis believes storytelling should be open to everyone, regardless of experience. She shares some wise advice for aspiring filmmakers.
“Have a go and think about what story do you want to tell. What matters to you? What’s keeping you up at night, what inspires you? What is the story that you want to share with audiences around Australia? Then, literally, grab your phone, get a crew, storyboard it, shoot it. Anyone can give it a go.”
The 2025 Very Short Film Festival premiered in Newcastle on 7 June where the winners were announced. It made its Queensland debut at HOTA on the Gold Coast on 20 June. Following the Brisbane premiere next week, the festival will tour to major cities including Sydney, Hobart, and Melbourne.
Svirskis says that Townsville has been confirmed as an upcoming stop, with additional regional locations across New South Wales and Queensland currently in the works. Keep an eye on the website for details.
The Brisbane event will also feature a live Q&A with some of the festival’s local filmmakers, offering insights into their creative process and the stories behind their films.
The Very Short Film Festival premieres in Brisbane on Thursday 17 July at Five Star Cinemas. 701 Brunswick St, New Farm QLD 4005.
Tickets: https://veryshortfilmfestival.com.au/nationaltour/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/veryshortfilmfestival/
Photo credit: Bain Stewart and Leah Purcell with Jack Breedon, winner of the Open category for 2025.
Check back at the VSFF website in September when the call for entries for the 2026 competition opens.
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