Saturday 28 February 2026, 6PM

We’re kicking off MNFF 2026 with a weird and wonderful assortment of shorts. Unexpected films, unlikely pairings. Screening is followed by filmmaker Q&A.

THE DEVIL YOU KNOW (Director: Frankie Côdd)

After leaving a restrictive religious community in the country, a young women, haunted by strange visions of a cow, seeks liberation in metropolitan Melbourne.

SCHOOL LOOP (Director: Alessia Paino)

A student discovers a secret room.

FINDING MAMA (Director: Zeta H-D)

When Harold Holt returns to land after a 60 year hiatus, the aquatic Prime Minister questions why Australian theatres are struggling.

NOTES FROM THE UNSEEN (Director: Ameya Ajay)

Disconnected from her partner, a woman is left a flyer for a mysterious ‘Magic Theatre’.

HERE AND THERE (Director: Kora Lee)

A young girl in a new country grapples with the confusion of settling in.

TIME BETWEEN US (Director: Ayden Trinder)

A teenage boy, cursed to see the deaths of those he makes eye contact with, reconnects with old friends at a lake.

CUGINI (Director: Aaron Lee Noyes)

Cousins Nino and Vincenzo meet to discuss the family business, but when tempers flare the evening takes an unexpected turn.

HATCH DAY (Director: Rhylie Pereira)

Bill makes an unexpected discovery that reshapes the way he sees the world.

Saturday 28 February 2026, 8PM

A little bit funny haha, a little bit funny weird. Join us for a comedy showcase with an edge. Screening is followed by filmmaker Q&A.

SHOEBOX (Directors: James Haddad, Ruby Rawlings)

Two friends facing homelessness resort to sabotage at a rental inspection.

I HAVE TONNES OF WORK AND NOW I’M A MAGICAL GIRL (Directors: Lucille Bell, Kayda Troost)

A self-doubting businessman replaces a ‘magical girl’ to defeat his monstrous insecurities.

DARIUS AND SEAFORD (Directors: Louis Dickins, David Kara)

Two friends have breakfast at a cafe as increasingly absurd things happen around them.

THE CARS, THE CRIMS, THE COP & THE CREATURE (Director: Elijah Ormesher)

Two amateur criminals have their tough guy personas challenged when they find an unwanted guest in the car they're stealing.

DARLENE (Director Heidi Wilson)

Darlene, a 25-year-old office worker, deals with her frustrations by thinking about violence and murder.

STRANDED (Directors: Reilly Archer-Whelan, Michael Whyntie)

When Kelly dumps Brian, his world comes crashing down...again. Just like when their cruise ship sank, leaving them as the only two survivors stranded on a deserted island.

Sunday 1 March 2026, 5PM

Spooky shorts for spooky people. Screening is followed by filmmaker Q&A.

BIBLIOPHILE (Director: Charnstar Anderson)

A cancelled BookToker stumbles into a mysterious book store looking for a comeback.

VERMIN (Director: Jonah Howell)

When a freak accident injures her housemate, a guilt-ridden pacifist must protect them both from a mysterious and threatening creature.

THE MEAT IT FEEDS ON (Director: Jim Sidney Fenton)

When her boyfriend leaves for the weekend with his female boss, Bella must contend with a unnatural force of jealousy.

RIPTIDE (Director: William Qoro)

When Tev whisks Jacki away on a surprise day out, she is forced to relive a terrible moment from their past.

THEY KILL BY NIGHT (Directors: Grace Uther, Sam Uther)

With reports of a serial killer on the loose, a curious woman locked out of her roadside motel room turns to the stranger next door for help.

Sunday 1 March 2026, 7PM

Are we living in the end times? You decide. Screening is followed by the closing night awards.

END POINTE (Director: Lesley Pinder)

Amidst the end of the world, five women rehearse for an amateur ballet performance in a scout hall.

HARD FEELINGS (Director: Rachael Sampson)

Seeking closure after a devastating breakup, Chloe contacts an agency who send doppelgängers to the heartbroken.

#FOLLOWME (Director: Karina Sorelli)

Sofia believes social media is life - without worrying about the consequences it can have in real life.

DAWN IN PARADISE (Directors: Alice Bishop, Craig Reasons)

Mrs Dawn Willetts waits in the Paradise Meadows shopping centre car park, hoping to be rescued.

OASIS (Director: Samuel Galloway)

A suburban dad becomes stranded under the shade of an ice cream cart, but the vendor begins to charge rent for shelter.

Tuesday May 6th, 5pm 

MNFF 2025 opens with Crime & Grime! Get down and dirty with this assortment of action-packed shorts.

FEATURING:

The Pharmacist

Pegasus Highway

The Last Step

A Family Affair

The Retirement Plan

Tuesday May 6th, 7.30pm  

Warning: this selection of shorts will make you want to sleep with the light on!

FEATURING:

Lost

Cult Favourite

Finding Light

Death Drive

Snap

Red Red Red

Toby

Wednesday May 7th, 5pm

Dedicated to animated shorts, this screening will take you on a kaleidoscopic journey.

FEATURING:

Typeface

Sublunar

They're Afraid of Stars

Honse

Trigger Child

My Monthly Struggle

The Banquet

Wednesday May 7th, 7pm 

You'll laugh, you'll feel weird, you might even cry. Join us for this full serve of offbeat comedy shorts as we close out the festival!

FEATURING:

Clown

Sticky Note

Camp Troll

You Can Smoke Anything

Dusty

Followed by our closing night awards ceremony.