OBSERVER: St Kilda Film Festival winners
St Kilda Film Festival has announced the winners of Australia’s Top Short Film Competition for 2025.
Australia’s longest-running short film festival award winners will take home a combined $40,000 worth of cash and prizes across 14 categories.
The prestigious Best Short Film Award, courtesy of City of Port Phillip, was awarded to The Meaningless Daydreams of Augie and Celeste, which took home the cash prize of $10,000. Directed by Pernell Marsden, this is a tale of two best friends who embark on a high-stakes game of imagination, which takes a twisted turn and threatens to jeopardise their relationship (right). The film was also awarded in the Best Young Actor category for Libby Segal and Frankie Gillespie McKay.
Also recognised in multiple categories I’m Not Your Heroine, took home two awards for Best Documentary, as well as Best Animation. The film examines pain, loss, addiction and the space in which they intertwine. Directed by Emmalene Vidot and Savannah James. The story follows a mother who is helpless alleviate the pain of her son, who turns to drugs after his father-figure commits suicide.
Best Director went to Riley Blakeway for A Thousand Odd Days, a story about a young man reflecting on a day spent with his estranged mother, to understand her enduring trauma and its effect on their relationship. Andrew Gough was recognised for his cinematography on this film, winning the Best Achievement in Cinematography award.
Best Achievement in Indigenous Filmmaking went to Motherhood in the Colony. Directed by Genevieve Grieves and Aseel Tayah, the film was awarded a $100 cash prize from CitiPower and is a love letter to mothers and the vital role they play in the resilience of Indigenous Cultures. The judges also awarded a special Judges’ Commendation in this category, to Re-imagining Our Futures: birthing.
This year SKFF has set new records for the number of films screened and received. The Top Short Films Awards have been judged by a panel of industry professionals, with the 2025 judging panel including: cinematographer Ellery Ryan (Wishful Thinking starring Drew Barrymore), filmmaker Rhianna Meltzer (Thor: Ragnarok and Elvis), editor Cindy Clarkson (I.Q starring Tim Robbins and Meg Ryan), film programmer Spiro Economopoulos (Moving Story Entertainment) and City of Port Phillip First Peoples Programs Lead Fred Gesha.
All award winners (excluding Best Young Actor) also received a complimentary six-month membership with WIFT Australia.
Accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the St Kilda Film Festival is an Academy Awards qualifying event, with award-winning films from the Australia’s Top Short Films Competition eligible for consideration in the Short Film Awards and Documentary Short sections of the Oscars.
Best Original Score – Greg Dombrowski, The Horn
Best Achievement in Sound Post-Production – Wiaan van der Westhuizen, Pliers
Best Achievement in Editing – James Ashbolt – Unstoppable
Best Achievement in Screenplay – Kat Dominis & Mariana Rudan & Damian Walshe-Howling – Unspoken
Best Achievement in Indigenous Filmmaking – Motherhood in the Colony
Best Achievement in Cinematography – Andrew Gough – A Thousand Odd Days
Best Young Actor – Libby Segal and Frankie Gillespie McKay – The Meaningless Daydreams of Augie and Celeste
Best Actor – Steve Mouzakis – Hiraeth
Best Animation – I’m Not Your Heroine
Best Documentary – I’m Not Your Heroine
Best Director – Riley Blakeway – A Thousand Odd Days
Best Innovation Award – I Like Long Walks on Parramatta Road
Best Short Film: The Meaningless Daydreams of Augie & Celeste
Best Youth Short Film – S Ari Quig for Diced Peaches
Cheryl Threadgold