Adelaide Film Festival Announces Shorts in Cinema Program

In a move that will see the film tradition of short films before features return to the big screen and showcase South Australian talent, the Adelaide Film Festival has announced the Shorts in Cinema program.

In partnership with local cinemas The Mercury and The Piccadilly and City of Adelaide, the Adelaide Film Festival (AFF), will present the Shorts in Cinema initiative, presenting the short films of 20 emerging filmmakers, over the next 12 months. 

Selected shorts will be paired with the latest feature films at The Mercury and The Piccadilly, connecting local talent with local audiences.

Shorts in Cinema will not only provide emerging filmmakers with the opportunity to have cinema audiences watch their films, but the program will also provide career advancement opportunities through professional development workshops facilitated by AFF. 

The selected shorts screening in August and September include Crush (2020) directed by Leela Varghese, Red Earth (2023) directed by Bryce Kraehenbuehl, On Film (2022) directed by Emma Hough Hobbs, It Happened in Copley Street (2022) directed by Guy Daniel MckieNelson, and Evacuation Afghanistan (2023) directed by Angus Rawson.

“Adelaide film-lovers are encouraged to get out to their local cinema and support these filmmakers by watching the terrific cinemas selected for the program. It’s AFF’s passion to support innovative filmmaking, fresh perspectives and, importantly, local South Australian storytelling, and we are grateful to our cinema partners and Adelaide City Council for sharing this passion with us,” said Mat Kesting, AFF CEO & Creative Director. 

“We encourage Adelaide audiences to book their seats early, dig into a choc top, and enjoy a snapshot of local storytelling while waiting for the main feature. It’s a time-honoured cinema tradition and, you never know, you could be watching the next Baz Luhrmann, Sophie Hyde or Philippou brothers tell their story!”

Shorts in Cinema screening in August and September

Crush 

Lizzy has an obsession with a girl who sells novelty candles. Will she work up the courage to ask her out or will she just buy out the whole store?
Director & Writer: Leela Varghese
Starring: Shabana Azeez (Lizzy), Leela Varghese (Friend) and Erin Paterson (Shop Girl)
Runtime: 7 mins
Session times: Tuesday 3 September, Friday 13 September, Sunday 15 September at The Mercury (screening before Sidonie in Japan)

Red Earth

An imagined future where a rediscovered archive of photographs, sound and film captures the beauty of extinct ecosystems in South Australia.
Director: Bryce Kraehenbuehl
Runtime: 10 mins
Session times: Tuesday 27 August, Friday 6 September, Sunday 8 September at The Mercury (screening before Evil Does Not Exist)

On Film

Animated digitally, On Film explores the technology behind shooting on film, how to tell when a film is shot on film and why there's an enduring passion and appreciation for the format.
Director: Emma Hough Hobbs
Runtime: 6 mins
Session times: To be confirmed, at The Piccadilly

It Happened in Copley Street

A tough man discovers an artistic life through poetry. The true story of former rough dock worker now author, poet and orator, Geoff Goodfellow.
Director: Guy Daniel Mckie Nelson
Runtime: 5 mins
Session times: To be confirmed, at The Piccadilly 

Evacuation Afghanistan

Follows the story of Erfanullah, an interpreter for NATO Forces, who was evacuated to Australia after the fall of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Taliban.
Director: Angus Rawson
Runtime: 6 mins
Session times: Tuesday 27 August, Friday 6 September, Sunday 8 September at The Mercury (screening before Fremont)