Australian Showcase - 2027

Rising Tide

Australia, 2026, Drama (Under 18), 4 min 53 sec

Fri 27 Nov, 6:00PM

Theodore Plum, a distinctive teenager searching for refuge from his home life, sets out on an unexpected adventure. Along the way, he begins a personal journey to find freedom, purpose and meaning.

Chip Sandwich

Australia, 2026, Drama (under 18), 6 min 49 sec

Fri 27 Nov

Late one night, while their parents are away, teenage brothers Nick and Rob discover that their fridge contains nothing worth eating. Desperate for a late night snack, they decide that the only reasonable solution is to plan a daring heist on their school canteen. What could possibly go wrong?

GREED

Australia, 2026, Drama (Under 18), 3 min 25 sec

An unusual group is summoned to a mysterious dinner party with a troubling purpose. As a newcomer enters their world, the guests attempt to infiltrate their mind and exert control over their thoughts.

Sonder

Australia, 2026, Drama (under 18), 7 min 59 sec

An isolated young man moves through life believing that he is the only person who truly matters. A series of surreal encounters allows him to glimpse the hidden struggles and joys of strangers. These unexpected windows into other lives force him to confront his loneliness and recognise the complexity and beauty within everyone around him. Sonder is a visually striking philosophical drama about empathy, human connection and personal awakening.

The Forgotten

Australia, 2026, Drama (under 18), 12 min 33 sec

During a leavers road trip through remote farmland, four teenagers become stranded near an abandoned cottage. Inside, they uncover photographs and records connected to Fairbridge Village and Australia’s troubling history of child migration schemes. The group discovers the journal of William Hart, a forgotten 12 year old boy, and uses an old Ouija board to contact him. When the board delivers a desperate plea for help, their reckless séance releases a terrifying presence shaped by suffering and rage. Trapped inside the cottage, the friends must confront the consequences of awakening the past and find a way to survive the night. The Forgotten is a supernatural horror story exploring guilt, historical trauma and the danger of allowing painful stories to disappear from memory.

Return to Sender

Australia, 2026, Drama (under 18), 6 min 55 sec

A box filled with unsent love letters leads to the discovery of a first love that was never truly forgotten. As memories of the past resurface, they unexpectedly ignite the possibility of a new romance. Return to Sender is a heartfelt story about enduring love, missed opportunities and the courage to begin again.

Little Wanderer

Australia, 2026, Drama (under 18), 3 min

Little Wanderer is a heartfelt exploration of friendship and empathy, examining how understanding, compassion and human connection can shape the way we see others.

Refraction

Australia, 2026, Suspense (under 18), 4 min 3 sec

Refraction is a suspenseful short film that enters the mind of a young man as his perceptions of time, reality and identity begin to bend.

The Paradox of Ultimate Connection

Australia, 2026, Documentary (under 18), 4 min 47 sec

The Paradox of Ultimate Connection is a short docudrama examining how social media affects relationships, physical interaction and addiction among young people. Narrated by school psychologist Dr Clarke, the film provides an insightful analysis of how technology designed to connect us can also create distance, dependency and isolation.

Threads

Australia, 2026, Crime (under 18), 5 min

A young investigator ventures into the field to follow new leads connected to a series of murders. As the investigation develops, scattered clues begin forming a disturbing pattern that draws him closer to the truth and into unexpected danger.

Not Alone

Australia, 2026, Drama, 15 min

Following the sudden death of her husband, Meera must rebuild her life while raising their two year old child alone. Living in a shared home with two friends, she balances single parenthood with her emotionally demanding work as an aged care worker. Her grief is compounded by social judgement, financial pressure and unsettling encounters with a stranger who begins following her. When her child disappears in a supermarket, unexpected members of the community step forward to help. Through shared spaces, small acts of kindness and the people who choose to stand beside her, Meera discovers that family and belonging can be found in unexpected places. Not Alone is a moving portrait of grief, resilience and the home we create through human connection.

Muck Up Day

Australia, 2026, Comedy, 9 min 59 sec

Jared Ashmore cares about one thing: pulling off an unforgettable prank during the end of school celebration known as muck up day. When his plans begin to unravel, Jared refuses to surrender. He is determined to leave school reminding his teachers who the real king of the classroom is. Muck Up Day is a spirited coming of age comedy about teenage rebellion, friendship, fun and having the courage to be yourself.

Bingo Man

Australia, 2026, Thriller, 18 min

In the quiet Australian hinterland town of Pomona, nine year old Kellie Handly finds companionship in her imaginary friend, Bingo Man. While her family believes he represents the father figure missing from her life, two local girls mysteriously disappear. When Kellie wanders away from school, Bingo Man guides her and a younger girl towards an abandoned mill. As daylight fades, their innocent adventure takes a terrifying turn. With another child missing and disturbing evidence discovered at the mill, the town is drawn into a desperate search. At the centre of the mystery remains one unsettling question: who, or what, is Bingo Man?

Volleyball Dream

Australia, 2026, Sports Drama, 10 min 35 sec

A high school student dreams of escaping his older sister’s shadow and finding recognition through volleyball. With almost everyone doubting his abilities, he joins forces with a friend to form a team and prepare for an upcoming tournament. While coping with the absence of his mother, he must also help save his father’s life and confront those who look down on him. Volleyball Dream is a sports drama about ambition, family, friendship and the determination to succeed despite overwhelming doubt.

Possum

Australia, 2026, Comedy, 7 min 40 sec

After making a troubling discovery, three siblings are forced to confront an ethical dilemma involving one of their own. As loyalty, morality and self preservation collide, the family must decide how far they are willing to go to protect each other.

Lotus

Australia, 2026, Drama, 11 min 24 sec

A breast cancer survivor faces pressure to undergo breast reconstruction surgery. Confused and uncertain, she arrives at a plastic surgeon’s office with her husband, still questioning whether the decision is truly her own. While waiting for her appointment, an unexpected message helps her reconsider how she sees her body, her recovery and her personal worth. Inspired by real experiences, Lotus is an intimate story about bodily autonomy, emotional healing and every woman’s right to make her own choices.