text: The St Kilda Film Festival has announced the 100 Australian short films that will screen at the 25th St Kilda Film Festival in May.
  Festival Director Paul Harris said it was heartening to see so many new filmmakers among the selection.
  “As always, we received an amazingly diverse bunch of entries – more than anything though, it really is encouraging to see so many new Australian filmmakers emerge among our regular favourites. Short film is such an important stomping ground for filmmakers – the real beauty of short film is that is allows filmmakers to experiment and innovate within a compact structure and this year’s St Kilda Film Festival proves that more then ever ”, he said.
  Opening Night will return to the beautiful Palais Theatre and trumpets the world premiere of producer Melanie Coombs’ (Harvie Krumpet) much anticipated follow up The Funk; first time filmmaker Sean Kruck presents the premiere of Summer Breaks starring Mia Wasikowska.
  Lending her hand to another short film on opening night, Wasikowska stars alongside Damon Herriman in Len’s Love Story; straight from competition at the Berlin International Film Festival comes Yolk, the story of a teenager with down syndrome exploring the rebellious impulses of sex, boys and growing up; and cultural likeness is explored in Wind.
  The ‘Top 100’ short films will screen across 15 competition sessions as part of the St Kilda Film Festival National Short Film Competition. With over $33,000 worth of cash and in-kind craft awards, including a $10,000 cash prize for Best Short Film, entrants are vying for some excellent prizes which will assist them further their filmmaking careers.
  The St Kilda Film Festival runs from 6 – 11 May in Melbourne before embarking on a national tour – 26 locations across all states, including all capital cities.