Featuring the latest exciting short films from "Down Under", the annual program returns with award-winning shorts. The 90-minute program features eclectic short films across genres, ranging from wry Australian humor and dark comedy to live action drama and clever animation. Experimental film techniques meet a diversity of storytelling voices across the continent: a grandfather who swims from China to Hong Kong, a lonely doll's story of discovery, and two Australians attempting to surf in Alaska are among this year's offerings.

Schedule:

6.30 - 8.30 p.m. Film Screenings

8.30 - 9.30 p.m. Reception

Australian Short Film Today is co-sponsored by Chris and Francesca Beale and Asia Society.

Program:

Freedom Swimmer (2021, dir. Olivia Martin-McGuire) follows the story of a grandfather's experience swimming from China to Hong Kong during the Cultural Revolution.

Two Sands (2021, dir. Poppy Van Oorde-Grainger) is based on an incredible true story by Kook Manuer. It follows Garang, whose memories of being lost in South Sudan are triggered on his first day of high school in Australia.

Widowers (2020, dir. Julian Tuna, Julian Tynan) is a meditation on suburban masculinity as two ageing men negotiate grief, rage and forgiveness without exchanging a word.

Odd One Out (2020, dir. Andrew Robb) is a seven-minute family film, shot on a smartphone during lockdown in Melbourne. Struggling to fit in to a new community, a lonely doll goes on a journey of discovery.

Sunnies (2022, dir. Ismail ‘Izzy’ Khan) is a short film that sets out to tackle themes of domestic violence from a child’s perspective.

You and Me Before and After (2020, dir. Madeleine Gottlieb) follows sisters Hannah and Rachel and their unique experience of getting tattoos together.

Cold Water Therapy (2021, dir. Remy Brand) documents three Australian childhood friends exploring the raw, unforgiving Alaskan winter in hopes of scoring uncrowded surf.