Words: Susie Williams. Thanks to Coast Lines magazine.

As summer lingers on the Fleurieu Peninsula and long evenings invite us outdoors, one of the region’s most loved cultural events is preparing to roll out the red carpet once again. The Fleurieu Film Festival returns in February for its 10th year, bringing with it stories that stir, surprise and connect — all set against the backdrop of McLaren Vale’s vineyards, food and creative spirit.

Over the past decade, the Festival has grown into far more than a film screening. It has become a celebration of place, creativity and community, championing local filmmakers while welcoming audiences from across South Australia and beyond. This milestone year marks not only a celebration of storytelling, but also a new chapter for the Festival itself.

Photo provided: Kristen Hamill

After seven years guiding the Festival’s growth, outgoing Director Carolyn Corkindale steps back from the role, leaving behind a legacy built on nurturing early-career filmmakers and strengthening the Festival’s connection to the Fleurieu. While no longer in the director’s chair, Carolyn remains closely involved as a valued member of the Festival Board, continuing to support the event she helped shape.

Stepping into the role of Festival Director is Kristen Hamill, a familiar name within South Australia’s creative scene. With more than a decade of experience across festivals, events, marketing and production, Kristen brings both professional depth and a genuine passion for storytelling. Many will recognise her as the founder of the Adelaide 48 Hour Film Project, which she established in 2015 and which now attracts more than 600 participants each year. As a producer and editor, she has worked across award-winning short films, documentaries and web series, and her connection to the Fleurieu Film Festival already runs deep, having served on the Board since 2022.

Alongside Kristen, experienced board director and award-winning short film producer Lisa Bishop has been appointed Chairperson. With a background spanning leadership, governance and creative production, Lisa says the Festival is entering an exciting new phase as it begins delivering a new strategic vision for the years ahead.

For Kristen, the heart of the Festival lies in its ability to celebrate creativity while staying deeply connected to place. The Fleurieu Film Festival has always been about more than films alone — it’s about storytelling that reflects who we are, where we live and how we see the world. That dual focus on creativity and the Fleurieu landscape continues to shape the Festival’s future.

This year’s program reflects that philosophy, with finalists announced across a diverse range of categories showcasing the depth of talent emerging from South Australia and beyond. From sound design and original score through to cinematography, directing, editing and scriptwriting, the shortlisted films highlight the craftsmanship that goes into short-form storytelling. There’s also a strong focus on the next generation, with a dedicated category for South Australian high school short films, alongside documentary storytelling and the much-loved Focus on the Fleurieu Award, celebrating films that capture the essence of the region.

But the Fleurieu Film Festival experience extends well beyond what happens on screen. In 2026, audiences can look forward to an even more relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, with new elements designed to invite people to linger, connect and enjoy the evening together.

For the first time, the Festival will feature a dedicated early-evening family program from 4.30 to 6.30pm, offering films suitable for younger audiences alongside live music and face painting. It’s an opportunity for families to experience the magic of film in an accessible, welcoming environment before the evening screenings begin.

Photo provided: Kristen Hamill and Carolyn Corkindale

Another exciting addition is the Festival’s inaugural Education Hub, providing information and connections to educational providers and creative pathways. Designed to inspire and inform, the Hub reflects the Festival’s ongoing commitment to nurturing talent and opening doors for future filmmakers.

Of course, no Fleurieu gathering would be complete without a nod to the region’s food and wine. Guests will be able to enjoy complimentary wine tastings from McLaren Vale winery Brash Higgins Wine, adding another layer to the sensory experience of the night and reinforcing the Festival’s strong ties to local producers.

As the sun sets over the vines and stories unfold on screen, the Fleurieu Film Festival offers a reminder of why this region continues to attract creatives, audiences and dreamers alike. It’s a celebration of storytelling in all its forms — grounded in community, shaped by landscape and shared under the open sky.

The 10th annual Fleurieu Film Festival will be held at the McLaren Vale Visitor Centre on Saturday, 7 February 2026. Tickets are on sale now, with locals and visitors invited to be part of this milestone celebration of film, creativity and the Fleurieu way of life.

Congratulations to all the 2026 award winners across a diverse range of categories:

Best High School Film - james is dead

Best Production Design – Hypothetically, the End

Best Sound Design – Wishes: Windows & Nests

Best Score – The Spaces Between

Best Actor – Nat Luna, in Hypothetically, the End

Best Script – A Million Lives

Best Editing – The Spaces Between

Best Cinematography – I’d Do Anything

Best Directing – Hypothetically, the End

Best Young Filmmaker Under 24 – Anisa Raisi for I’d Do Anything

Focus on the Fleurieu Award – Rapid BAY - The Town That Was

Best International Short Film – Adas Falasteen

Best Documentary – The Spaces Between

The Audience Choice Award - Let's Live for Tonight

Best Film – Wishes: Windows & Nests