Adaptation Gala Award
The SmartFone Flick Fest and Spineless Wonders Best Adaptation Film Award features some of the best Australian short stories ready to jump from the page to the screen. Read this information article by emerging publisher, Cindy Jones.
Each author has given permission for their work to be included in the SF3 awards. The Gala category for films of 20 minutes or less can be adaptations of the stories that stick closely to the original text or simply draw on aspects for inspiration.
Spineless Wonders has curated a powerful selection of short stories for this year’s competition with great potential for filmmakers to get creative with their craft.
THE PAPER BAG by Michalia Arathimos
While a middle-class woman struggles with the imminent arrival of her mother-in-law, her housework-neglecting husband, and a Facebook support group facing a case of domestic abuse, she discovers an elephant at her doorstep. Find out more about the themes explored in this video put together by emerging publisher, Kosette Lambert:
In this video, Kosette explores how this could make a great short film.
The Last Wilkie’s by Jon Steiner
An ambitious young liquidator is sent to repo the last branch of a defunct fast food chain but is astonished to find it open. Though she admires the resourcefulness going into keeping it running, she has a job to do – but her life may be in danger! Listen to an alarming message from the protagonist, recreated by emerging publisher, Cindy Jones.
Best friends Stace and Jarred hang out on their balcony overlooking a carpark, making up stories about everyone they see. But Stace knows something about Jarred that he doesn’t know she knows, and it’s about to confront them in the most violent way possible. Discover more about these teenagers and what they witness in this video created by emerging publisher, Ren Topfer.
LANDLORD IN THE ATTIC by Tanya Vavilova
A pseudo-science fiction story about a group of roommates surviving in a dilapidated apartment complex in Redfern threatening to collapse. They struggle their way through owning several cats, fixing various holes in their ceiling, and resisting the urge to murder their landlord. The following clip produced by Sandi Kani will help you discover more about the storyline.
In this video, Sandi canvasses ideas for film adaptation.
This final clip from Sandi outlines a possible three-act structure for a film adaptation of Landlord in the Attic:
LIKE CLAY by Julia Prendergast
A contemporary “downunder” story in the social-realist tradition—rich in everyday detail about a family, behind-closed-doors, in unexpected turmoil: childbirth, sex, postpartum psychosis—surf, sea, Safeway; the everyday of a mental-health ward. Find out more about this dysfunctional family in this clip created by emerging publisher, Nicole Pomeroy.
The submission deadline for the 11th Annual SmartFone Flick Fest is now extended to 11:49PM AEST, October 1, 2025. Visit sf3.com.au for more information.
For information and inspiration about adapting a range of 200 word microfiction into 3 minute entries, check out this blog post.