SmartFone Flick Fest 2026

SmartFone Flick Fest (SF3) is back for its 11th year, bigger, bolder, and on the iconic Sydney Opera House Stage.

This 11th installment of the festival attracted more than 450 entries (!) from over 60 countries, reflecting SF3’s truly global reach.. Submissions came from filmmakers aged four to 79, including creators living with disability, neuro-diverse school groups, and Indigenous filmmakers supported through SF3’s workshops.

The festival kicks off on Friday 23 January, when the Gala Finals light up The Playhouse at the Sydney Opera House. You can watch 16 of the best smartphone short films alongside industry judges, special guests, filmmakers and their stars. Then celebrate with the winners as over $50,000 in prizes are awarded across 36 categories.

Next up at The Playhouse, the SF3 Kids Finals on Saturday 24 January. Featuring the best films made by storytellers aged 18 and under. From laugh-out-loud shorts to deeply personal pieces, the kids’ program is often one of the festival’s most uplifting showcases.

On Sunday 25 January, the festival shifts to the Palace Chauvel Cinema in Paddington for a day dedicated to innovation and experimentation. The SF3 Mini finalists present films three minutes or less – this year responding to the theme ‘Breath’ – while the Feature Film finalists highlight just how far smartphone cinema can go.

SF3 also continues to lead the conversation around creative technology with its AI Best Film Award, returning for its second year after a fourfold increase in entries. Tez Frost’s The 5-Minute Empire, a hybrid live-action/AI work shot in a single afternoon, becomes the first AI film to be selected for the Gala Finals, marking a major milestone for the festival.

Festival Director Angela Blake says this year’s program represents the most diverse and creatively ambitious selection to date:

“The quality of storytelling and cinematic use of phones blew us away this year. We’re so proud to screen these films at the Sydney Opera House – it’s a phenomenal moment for smartphone cinema and independent filmmakers everywhere.”

SF3’s superstar Ambassadors include Phillip Noyce, Kriv Stenders, Kerry Armstrong, Nicole da Silva, and more – a powerhouse lineup championing accessible filmmaking and the next generation of storytellers.

Whether you’re into boundary-pushing shorts, international cinema, emerging young talent or simply love seeing creativity thrive, SF3’s 11th season is set to be a standout celebration of filmmaking without limits.

Smartfone Flick Fest 2026 Sydney Opera House, January 23-25 Tickets on sale now: sf3.com.au