Araluen Arts Centre: 
Flickerfest 2026 | Best of Australian Shorts
Celebrating 35 years in 2026, Flickerfest remains Australia’s leading Academy® Qualifying and BAFTA Recognised short film festival, ensuring that we continue to present A-list short film programmes recognised amongst the best in the world with films hand-picked from the festival’s record 3,700+ entries!
Flickerfest, Australia’s largest Short Film Festival is excited to be returning on its National Tour to the Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs for two spectacular nights, on Friday 8th & Saturday 9th May, showcasing the Best of Australian Shorts and Short Laughs Comedy programme highlights, all handpicked from our recent Bondi festival competitions.
The short films screening are entertaining, inspiring, award-winning, and fresh from their premieres in competition at Flickerfest Bondi, giving Nambour Flickerfest audiences a window into the hottest contemporary shorts from at home and across the world today.
Friday 8th May 7pm, honouring our unique identity and culture with the Best of Australian Shorts.
Catch a collection of stunning shorts supported by big names both in front of and behind the camera.
Moving drama Tuesday Tuesday, won best female director at Flickerfest 2026 and stars Peter Phelps (Stingers) in a stellar performance as a man whose world is fading.
Whilst Packed Away gives us the directorial debut of actress Michala Banas (Always Greener, Mcleod's Daughters) who shines both on and off camera in this personal and intimate drama and actor Matt Day (Rake) writes and directs the comedy Baby Shower starring the legendary Hugo Weaving in a dark comedy about family friendship and unexpected happening at this familiar ritual.
Returning Flickerfest alumni Jesse Vogelaar brings The Suit, a sharp and hilarious comedy featuring award winning actress Kat Stewart and much-loved comedian Colin Lane delivering big laughs with plenty of bite.
Gallery
Flickerfest 2026 FAQ's
Where is Flickerfest 2026 held at Araluen Arts Centre?
Flickerfest 2026 is a touring film festival that is screened in an outdoor cinema set up around the back on the Circus Lawns around the back of Araluen Arts Centre.
On both nights, Araluen Arts Centre foyer will be closed and you will need to follow the yellow path on the below map to the Circus Lawns for the event.
Will I be able to purchase tickets on the night?
Yes, there will be a box office desk set up at the entrance of the Circus Lawns, transactions will be by EFTPOS only.
Will the Araluen Bar be open?
Yes, the Araluen Pop Up Bar will be set up on the Circus Lawns with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Will there be food available to purchase?
Yes, The Feast, Asian Fusion Restaurant will have a pop-up stall with dinner options available for purchase, a menu will be avaiable soon.
There will also be a limited number of cheese plates available from the Araluen Pop Up Bar, to ensure you don't miss out, please pre-order your cheese plate when you purchase your tickets.
Will there be seating available?
There is a limited number of VIP Beanbag Seats available each night that you can pre-order for $5 when purchasing your ticket, but feel free to bring your own deck chair, beanbag, picnic rug, blankets, cushions, pillows etc.
What is the weather like for this event?
May evenings in Alice Springs can sometimes get cold! Please remember to bring a jacket, jumper, cardigan, scarf, Oddie etc, to keep yourself warm.
If it rains on the night of the event, the event will be moved to inside Araluen Arts Centre's Theatre.
Dates
Times
7pm
Duration
120 minutes
Interval
20 mins
Prices
SINGLE TICKET
Best of Australian Shorts
(Friday 8 May)
Adult
$25
Concession
$23
Student
$22
Group 10+
$21
2026 Araluen Member
$19
2 DAY PASS
Best of Australian Shorts
(Friday 8 May) +
Short Laughs Comedy
(Saturday 9 May)
Adult
$45
Concession
$39
Student
$37
2026 Araluen Member
$37
Sign up to become a 2026 Araluen Member here!
Genre
Extra information
Online ticketing is available up until one hour prior to the performance.
For ticket purchases after this time, please visit the Araluen Box Office or call us on (08) 8951 1122.
Accessibility
Rating
Booking Fee
For this event, a one-off service fee of $2.50 per transaction applies on all purchases online. All ticket prices include GST.
