The committee of the Far South Film Festival 2026 would like to congratulate the 23 finalists selected for this year’s Festival. Tickets are now on sale so check out the selected films and book your tickets at the ‘farsouthfilmfestival’ website.

This year’s entries have come from New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, the ACT and Tasmania, spanning drama, comedy, experimental, music and documentary genres. The Festival is especially pleased to see an increased number of entries from young filmmakers and from our own SE NSW region.

Opening Night celebrates the Festival at The Twyford in Merimbula, with a complimentary drink on arrival and nibbles from a grazing platter. The evening opens with a Welcome to Country and remarks from the Festival Director, Mahamati, and our local member, Dr Michael Holland, followed by a session called Difficult Women – four female-led shorts (two dramas, a documentary and a comedy) with a Q&A to follow.

Saturday 15 August kicks off at 10.00 am with a session called As It Happened – Unscripted, five documentaries, followed at 11.45 am by The Narrative Hour, six short dramas (three of which are local). Lunch options include nearby cafés or a $19.50 lunchbox from Pinch of Yum (pre-order when booking).

The afternoon sessions feature the première of a locally-made music video starring Heath Cullen, followed by Our Bright Dystopian Future – two dramas and a mockumentary, followed by a Q&A. The day concludes with Laughter is the Best Medicine – four comedies to send the audience off on a high.

Stay on for networking, complimentary snacks and the much-anticipated Awards Ceremony, where the best films of FSFF26 are announced and cash prizes awarded.

The Festival celebrates screen stories from rural, regional and remote Australia.

Book tickets for the Opening Night and/or the Saturday Session at the Far South Film Festival website.

Hiromi Matsuoka

Photo: Filming for Yuwinj Dhari Bulwal, Yuin Stand Strong. Photo credit: H Matsuoka