Ring in the new year with the SmartFone Flick Fest (SF3) this January 23–25 at the Sydney Opera House and Palace Chauvel Cinema in Paddington. It’s the 11th annual edition of Australia’s hit international smartphone film festival – one of the largest of its kind on the planet.
Get yourself ready for three spectacular days of stars, films, innovation, accessibility, and of course, global creativity – created with nothing more than a smartphone.
A Global Showcase of Pocket-Sized Power
This year, the SF3 received roughly 450 entries from filmmakers of all ages – ranging from 4 to 79. These pocket-sized films were created all across the globe, including the USA and the UK. There are standout submissions coming in from Afghanistan, China, Iran, Morocco, South Korea, Nigeria, Canada, Mexico, and France.
The very best will battle it out across five main categories to win $50,000 in prizes. These categories include:
- SF3 Gala Finals
- SF3 Kids
- Feature Films
- SF3 Mini (films 3 minutes or under; 2026 theme: Breath)
- SF3 AI (for AI-integrated filmmaking)
We have both seasoned filmmakers and total beginners who have delivered some of the most stunning storytelling imaginable without any expensive gear.
Friday 23 January, SF3 Gala Finals at the Sydney Opera House
The jewel of the festival’s crown is the SF3 Gala Finals, taking place at 8:30 PM in the Playhouse Theatre on Friday 23 January.
The evening will begin with a glamorous red-carpet reception, complete with photographers, VIP guests, videographers, filmmakers, and their stars. Attendees will be treated to the top international short films of the year, followed by award presentations. There will be plenty of celebrating at the cash bar on site.
Expect atmosphere. Expect energy. Expect world-class storytelling!
Saturday 24 January, SF3 Kids Return to the Opera House
The kids are the next generation of filmmakers, and at 1:30 PM on Saturday the 24th, they will take centre stage at the Sydney Opera House. Here, the SF3 will showcase the best films made by creators under the age of 18. It is an inspiring screening that delivers all the fun and razzle-dazzle of the Gala:
- Red carpet
- Photographers
- Awards
- Future stars
Sunday 25 January, SF3 Mini & Feature Films at Palace Chauvel Paddington
The festival will wrap up at 1:30 PM on Sunday at Palace Chauvel Cinema, featuring:
- SF3 Mini finalists – 3-minute masterpieces themed around Breath
- Feature Film finalists – longer works demonstrating the full cinematic potential of smartphones
Championing Accessibility, Creativity and Diverse Voices
True to its mission, the SF3 focuses on making filmmaking more affordable and accessible for all. This year, it continues that mission by elevating stories from filmmakers who live with disabilities, with selections that include:
- A short film from emerging filmmaker Bevan Garozzo, who lives with Down Syndrome
- Two films from neurodiverse high school classes
- A Gala film from Indigenous filmmaker Brandon Fairley, a Bus Stop Films student whose smartphone filmmaking journey began in an SF3 masterclass funded by Sydney Water
This commitment to inclusion ensures that creativity is never limited by circumstance, and that audiences can expect powerful, unique perspectives they won’t find anywhere else in the world.
The Rise of AI Filmmaking, With Humanity at the Core
This year, the SF3 will also support the rise of AI filmmaking with its second annual SF3 AI Best Film Award. In fact, The 5-Minute Empire by Tez Frost earned itself a place in the Gala Finals. At the heart of every film is human creativity, but AI technology takes that creativity to a whole new level.
Behind the Scenes: The Giant Job of Choosing Finalists
Featuring more than 400 short films and 40 features, selecting the finalists was a monumental task. The SF3 relied on a preselection panel led by festival director Angela Blake and Jordon Briggs. They spent countless hours curating a lineup that reflects the best of smartphone filmmaking from around the globe.
Where Innovation Meets Inspiration
The SF3 is more than just another film festival – it’s a pocket-sized movement. Whether you’re a kid with big dreams or a seasoned independent artist looking to expand your repertoire, the SmartFone Flick Fest is the place to be. So, if you love bold ideas, inventive storytelling, and red-carpet glamour, this is one festival you simply cannot miss.
Event Info & Tickets
23–25 January 2026
Sydney Opera House & Palace Chauvel Cinema
Full program & bookings: www.sf3.com.au