Australian short films are often brilliant, sometimes better than the features that get theatrical releases and marketing budgets. But they’re hard to find unless you attend festivals or actively seek them out.

Fortunately, quite a few excellent Australian shorts are available online for free. Here’s a curated list of what’s worth your time, organized by genre and theme.

Drama

“The Eleven O’Clock” (2016, 13 minutes) is a psychological comedy-drama about a psychiatrist and patient who both think the other is delusional. It’s clever, well-acted, and perfectly paced. Available on YouTube through the filmmaker’s channel.

This was nominated for an Oscar, which brought it some attention, but it’s still underseen in Australia. Derin Seale’s direction is tight, and the performances are excellent.

“Lambs of God” (2019, 15 minutes) is a quietly devastating piece about grief and isolation in rural Australia. It’s slow and contemplative—not for everyone—but if you appreciate character-driven drama, it’s worthwhile. Available on SBS On Demand.

“The Waiting Room” (2023, 18 minutes) is set entirely in a hospital emergency waiting room. It’s about immigration status, healthcare access, and human dignity. Uncomfortable to watch at times, but important. Available on ABC iView.

Indigenous Stories

“In My Blood It Runs” (2020, 8 minutes) is a short documentary following a 10-year-old Arrernte boy in Alice Springs. It’s a preview of the feature documentary, but stands alone as a powerful statement about Indigenous education and cultural survival. Available on the filmmaker’s website.

“Yirra Yaakin: Voice” (2021, 12 minutes) is a beautiful piece about language reclamation and cultural preservation. It’s hopeful rather than tragic, which is refreshing. Available through NITV’s online platform.

“Aunty” (2024, 14 minutes) is a quiet portrait of an Aboriginal woman navigating family obligations and personal identity in contemporary Sydney. Nuanced and empathetic. Available on ABC iView.

Comedy

“Trent from Punchy” (2017, 11 minutes) is absurd comedy about a man who believes he’s from a fictional Australian town. It’s weird in the best way—distinctly Australian humor that doesn’t try to explain itself. Available on YouTube.

“Scooter: Secret Agent” (2025, 9 minutes) is a mockumentary about a suburban man who thinks he’s a spy. It’s silly but well-executed, with genuine laughs. Available on YouTube through the production company’s channel.

Science Fiction

“Cargo” (2013, 7 minutes) is the short film that preceded the feature. A father tries to protect his infant daughter during a zombie outbreak. Emotionally devastating despite the genre trappings. Available on YouTube.

The feature version is good, but the short is tighter and more focused. Worth watching both.

“OzLand” (2015, 14 minutes) is a post-apocalyptic road trip through outback Australia. Low-budget but visually striking. It expanded into a feature, but the short is more effective in some ways. Available on Vimeo.

“The Telegram Man” (2021, 16 minutes) is a period sci-fi piece set in 1940s Australia with a speculative twist on communication technology. Beautifully shot, thoughtful pacing. Available on SBS On Demand.

Horror

“Scratches” (2022, 11 minutes) is a folk horror piece set in rural Victoria. Genuinely unsettling without relying on jump scares. Great sound design. Available on Shudder (requires subscription, but free trial available).

“The Mother” (2024, 13 minutes) is psychological horror about motherhood and identity. Uncomfortable and effective. Not for everyone, but if you appreciate slow-burn horror, it’s well done. Available on YouTube through the festival circuit upload.

Experimental/Art

“The Eleven Thousand Rods” (2020, 19 minutes) is a meditative piece about landscape, memory, and infrastructure. Very slow, visually focused, minimal dialogue. It’s experimental in the true sense—not for everyone, but I found it mesmerizing. Available through the Australian Centre for the Moving Image’s online collection.

“Between Land and Sea” (2023, 15 minutes) is a visual essay about coastal erosion and climate anxiety. More poetry than narrative. Available on ABC iView.

Regional/Rural Stories

“The Clunes Rodeo” (2019, 12 minutes) is a documentary short about community and tradition in rural Victoria. It’s warm and observational, letting the subject speak for itself. Available on ABC iView.

“Fenceline” (2021, 16 minutes) is about neighboring farms, generational conflict, and what happens when water becomes scarce. Quiet and tense. Available on SBS On Demand.

LGBTQ+

“Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie’s Dead Aunt)” (2019, 14 minutes, pilot version) is a rom-com about a woman coming out to her conservative family with help from her dead aunt’s ghost. It’s charming and funny. The feature version is also worth watching. Short available on YouTube.

“Emu Runner” (2017, 10 minutes) is a gentle story about grief, family, and connection to country, centered on a young Indigenous girl. Beautiful cinematography. Available through NITV.

Animation

“The Lost Thing” (2010, 15 minutes) is an Oscar-winning adaptation of Shaun Tan’s picture book. It’s strange, melancholic, and distinctly Australian in its aesthetic. Available on YouTube.

Even if you’ve seen it before, it’s worth rewatching. The craft is exceptional.

“The Pearce Sisters” (2024, 8 minutes) is darkly comic animation about two sisters in rural Australia. The animation style is distinctive—hand-drawn with a slightly grotesque aesthetic. Available on ABC iView.

Student Films Worth Watching

Film school produces a lot of mediocre work, but occasionally something excellent emerges.

“The Flame” (2023, AFTRS) is a 16-minute drama about ambition and ethics in the restaurant industry. Surprisingly polished for a student film. Available through the AFTRS showcase website.

“Night Shift” (2024, VCA) is a 12-minute piece about precarious work and dignity. Simple but effective. Available on Vimeo.

Where to Find More

SBS On Demand and ABC iView both have curated collections of Australian short films. The selection rotates, but there’s usually 20-30 shorts available at any time.

YouTube has more than you’d expect if you search specifically for “Australian short film” plus genre or year. Many filmmakers upload their festival films after the festival circuit run.

NITV (National Indigenous Television) has excellent Indigenous short films and documentaries.

MIFF Play and Sydney Film Festival’s online platform sometimes offer free shorts, though much of their content requires payment.

Vimeo has a surprising number of Australian shorts, particularly from filmmakers who’ve uploaded festival selections.

Why This Matters

Short films are where Australian filmmakers experiment, take risks, and develop their voice before they get feature funding. Some of our best directors started with shorts that showed what they were capable of.

Watching Australian shorts also gives you a sense of what’s happening in the industry beyond the mainstream features that get theatrical releases. You’ll see diverse voices, regional stories, and perspectives that don’t always make it to feature film funding.

Plus, they’re short. You can watch three or four in an evening and get a more varied experience than sitting through one feature.

The Ones I Keep Thinking About

If you only watch a few from this list, I’d recommend:

• “The Eleven O’Clock” for tight, clever filmmaking
• “Cargo” for emotional impact despite short runtime
• “The Lost Thing” for Australian animation at its best
• “The Waiting Room” for uncomfortable but important contemporary subject matter
• “Yirra Yaakin: Voice” for hopeful Indigenous storytelling

But honestly, most of what I’ve listed here is worth your time. Australian short films deserve more attention than they get.

For more on Australian cinema, check out Screen Australia’s production listings, Cinema Australia’s archives, and Senses of Cinema’s Australian film criticism.