They’re Back!

They’re Back!

Get ready for a cinematic celebration like no other! 💥

At the 2022, Port Shorts Film Festival, our long-time festival ambassadors, actor Stephen Curry and producer Matt Hearn, were joined on the judging panel by Dhalinybuy actor Rarriwuy Hick, marking a new chapter in the festival’s history. 🔥

The collaboration of this dynamic trio is now locked in, and they’re poised to bring their combined expertise and passion to the 2023 festival.

October 13 & 14 – Rex Smeal Park – see you there! 🎬

Port Shorts 2023

Port Shorts 2023

The Port Shorts Film Festival, taking place on October 13-14, 2023, is an incredible opportunity for emerging filmmakers to showcase their talents and learn from some of Australia’s most accomplished film experts. Held in a breathtaking location, the festival promises to be a feast for the senses, featuring some of the world’s best short films.

Whether you are a filmmaker looking to showcase your work, or simply a film enthusiast looking for an exciting cinematic experience, the Port Shorts Film Festival has something to offer. From workshops and masterclasses to screenings and networking opportunities, the festival provides a unique platform for filmmakers to connect with one another and share their passion for the art of cinema.

If you’re interested in attending the festival, be sure to mark your calendar for October 13-14, 2023, and keep an eye out for more information about tickets and programming as the festival draws near.

PS .. Stories… pssst

PS .. Stories… pssst

The “PS Stories” video series is an excellent opportunity to gain insights from previous Port Shorts Filmmakers and industry professionals. The series features interviews with filmmakers, finalists, award winners, festival ambassadors, musicians, producers, and directors, each sharing their unique perspectives and experiences in the industry.

PS Stories was filmed during COVID lockdown.

The Show Must Go On!

The Show Must Go On!

Given the present uncertainty surrounding COVID, the Port Shorts Crew have made the difficult decision to cancel the outdoor screening component of this year’s festival, which was scheduled to run Friday 15th & Saturday 16th October in Rex Smeal Park, Port Douglas.
Our focus will now be on the delivery of a Virtual Event. We’ll be bringing you the best short films from our own backyard and around the world. Screened to an even wider audience, offered to everyone, free of charge, everywhere!
Our Virtual Event (15th-23rd October) will be a great way to stay engaged with cinema from around the globe, and just by tuning in, you’ll be helping to support filmmakers and enable Port Shorts to continue into future years.
We thank you for being a loyal Port Shorts fan, and big love to you all for your continued support.
Stay safe & see you at the Virtual Festival!
Port Shorts Crew x
Port Shorts on 10Play

Port Shorts on 10Play

A unique collaboration between Australia’s coolest short film festival in the tropics, national broadcaster Channel 10 and the Far North Queensland tourism industry will showcase some of the best emerging filmmakers from our own backyard and around the world to a national audience over the summer months while promoting our tropical destination to interstate holidaymakers.

The Very Best Of Port Shorts Film Festival is set to entertain audiences nationally from December 7, featuring on Channel 10’s hugely popular 10 play platform for three months alongside some of Australia’s favourite  television shows and supported by a major destination marketing campaign by Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Tourism Port Douglas & Daintree and Douglas Shire Council.

The two-hour smorgasbord of snack-sized cinema classics celebrates the most amazing short films to be screened under the stars at Port Shorts Film Festival held in Port Douglas in tropical Far North Queensland  every October.

Legendary Aussie actor and long-time Port Shorts Ambassador Stephen Curry will resume his host role for the 10 play showcase to support a festival he and fellow Festival Ambassador, Wolf Creek and Rogue Producer Matt  Hearn, have taken to heart over the past five years.

“I mean let’s face it, who wouldn’t accept a trip to the tropics with one of your great mates to judge a film festival?” Curry said.

“But what me and Hearny found when we got up to Port Douglas for Port Shorts in 2015 was a really cool festival that put on a show of exceptional short films.

“We can’t wait to get back there every year, they can’t get rid of us, except when the festival clashes with COVID-19 lockdown.
“In the meantime we’re glad we get to share some of our favourites from the last five years because there’s some filmmakers featured, many of them Australian, who audiences deserve to hear a lot more about and 10  play is a great platform to achieve that.”

Hearn, whose company hotglue produced The Very Best Of Port Shorts for 10 play, has mentored several  filmmakers he met at the festival and believes the future of filmmaking is in excellent hands.

“Good on Channel 10 for supporting these filmmakers by showing Australia what they’re capable of producing,”  Hearn said.

“Each film featured moved us as judges in some way and hopefully the audience enjoys the journey as much as we have.”

Port Shorts Festival Director Ali George said the collaboration with 10 play was also a welcome boost for the local tourism industry hit hard by the financial impacts of COVID-19.

“We’re delighted Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Tourism Port Douglas & Daintree and Douglas Shire Council are supporting The Very Best Of Port Shorts on 10 play with a destination marketing campaign encouraging the 10 play audience to come up here and experience the tropics for themselves,” Ali said.

“After such a crazy year for everyone The Very Best Of Port Shorts on 10 play is a nice way to say goodbye to 2020 and welcome what will hopefully be a much brighter new year for the arts and tourism industries.”

Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said the world’s oldest rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef had charmed many filmmakers wanting to capture the beauty of two World Heritage areas side by side.

“This collaboration with 10 play gives us the opportunity to reach a new audience of film lovers and encourage them to experience the destination that hosts Port Shorts,” he said.

TPDD Chief Executive Officer Tara Bennett agreed it was a great way to shine the spotlight on the destination.

“I am delighted to be involved in this collaboration to showcase our destination to a diverse audience via 10 Play and Port Shorts,” Ms Bennett said.

The Very Best Of Port Shorts is available on 10 play over the summer months. To check it out visit here.