The world’s biggest short play festival is back in Sydney.
Short+Sweet 2025 is a celebration of play writing and the creation of original theatre. Over ninety plays will feature in the span of twelve weeks, and all competing for their spot in the Short+Sweet Gala Finals, on 16th and 17th MAY 2025, where the best of the best receive awards. Short+Sweet Gala Finals, are where all of the festival’s most outstanding performances, compete for top honours.
Wide range of brand new works, all brought to the forefront. Sharp comedies, existential dramas, surreal horror, poetry, musical, political and inspirational narratives. Highly Recommended. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2025 GALA FINALS | Short+Sweet Sydney 2025 |
16 and 17 May 2025 with Multiple dates and times |
SHORT+SWEET FILM FESTIVAL GALA WINNER
(a) KILL MICK
BEST TAFE FILM
Warehouse Action Galore – Five fighting against the one.
SHORT+SWEET FILM FESTIVAL GALA WINNER
(b) THE FRIENDS INSIDE
BEST DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FILM
Croydon Public School children, go kung-fu fighting.
(1) ALAS POOR MUMMY (Heat 7 People’s Choice)
Written by William Duke
Directed by Bianca Watkins
STARRING – Oliver Edit, Jake Walker, Caitlin Green and William Duke
Comedy – Storytelling – Clever Prince Hamlet, deranged with the bad haircut, and alas poor mummy, matricide ahead. Audience storytelling favourite, on Friday Night.
(1) FROM THE DIRECTOR:
For us, Short+Sweet has been a hilarious romp with the most amazing community. We hope audiences will enjoy this very unprecedented, very gay Hamlet, and see the whole play later this year!
(2) A BICYCLE BUILT FOR TWO (Heat 6 Judges Choice)
Written by Suzy Wilds
Directed by Emily Garrett
STARRING – Lucinda Jurd, Jenny Jacobs and Rebecca Liquorish
Drama – An elderly woman in a nursing home, reflects upon her young daughter.
(2) FROM THE DIRECTOR:
Emily returns to Short+Sweet for a second time to direct A Bicycle Built for Two, a bittersweet tale featuring a strong female cast and a nostalgic charm. Having written and directed several short films, Emily won Best New Talent at Short+Sweet in 2012. This festival is an excellent opportunity to showcase local talent and wonderfully connects creativity, collaboration and community.
(3) DREAM JOB (Heat 1 Judges Choice)
Written and directed by James Kehoe
STARRING – James Kehoe, Davis Jensen and Piper Farrell
Comedy – Stella’s weird nightmares become reality, when she meets her dreamweaver.
(3) FROM THE DIRECTOR:
I wanted to write a show that made the most of the ten-minute timeframe; a frenetic rollercoaster that keeps audiences engaged and curious the whole time. I am grateful to the fantastic performers who have helped bring that vision to life – this show wouldn’t be what it is without the contributions of Piper, Davis, Alison and Jacqui.
(4) SHAKESPEARE UPON TINDER (Heat 7 Runner Up Judge’s and Crew Cut Choice)
Written by Fran Howick
Directed by David Berry
STARRING – Chris Argirousis, Olivia Bartha and David Berry
Comedy – Tinder true love romance, via seagull special delivery mail.
(4) FROM THE DIRECTOR:
It has been such a joy working on this show!—both in the directors chair and as a performer. I have had the best time creating it with two seriously talented and hilarious actors who have made the whole process a blast. I really hope the audience leaves the show laughing (maybe cringing a little too) and just having had a good time.
(5) MISFORTUNE (Youth Week Peoples Choice)
Written by Mark Harvey Levine
Directed by Charlotte McKee-Wright
STARRING – Julia Boyd, Angus Farrand, Lily Li, Olivia Cosentino, Katelyn Storey
Comedy – The cookies, always know. A couple gets disturbing news, from their fortune cookies. The cookies, never lie.
(5) FROM THE DIRECTOR:
I am thrilled to be making my directorial debut with Misfortune, and to be representing Youth Week at the Gala Finals! I hope to inspire more young people to step into creative spaces and have the courage to share their stories.
15 MINUTE INTERVAL
SHORT+SWEET FILM FESTIVAL GALA WINNER
(c) THE PLEASURES OF THE DAMNED
BEST FILM and BEST DIRECTOR (James Lawler)
Drama – The Hotel Bar is on fire.
(6) WHAT IF THE 12 APOSTLES WERE GAY? (Heat 2 Judges Choice)
Written and directed by Vincent Andriano
ITC = BRENDA PRODUCTIONS
STARRING – Vincent Andriano
Drama – Storytelling – monologue – Leonardo Da Vinci, was not at the Last Supper. Audience drama favourite, on Friday Night.
(6) FROM THE DIRECTOR:
What started as a campy sketch about the Apostles, turned into a deeply personal, queer confessional. It is comedy with communion — and a bit of catharsis in drag. If you laugh, I have done my job. If you cry . . . same.
(7) WHEEL OF FORTUNE REVERSE (Heat 2 Judge’s Choice)
Written by Scott Sickles
Directed by Henry Lopez Lopez
STARRING – Max Shaw and Lara Heath
Comedy – Grim Reaper allows Chosen Death method, by playing chess to not win.
(7) FROM THE DIRECTOR:
It has been a joy directing this beautiful short play and seeing all the work that Max and Lara have put into it. Since day one it has always been a collaborative and devised process and I hope the audience feels thrilled from the energy that this play brings.
(8) THE PIGEON (Heat 5 Judge’s Choice)
Written by Karen Siff Exkorn
Directed by Annie Geissler
STARRING – Piper Farrell
Comedy – Storytelling – monologue – Woman searching to save her failing marriage. Audience monologue favourite, on Friday Night.
(8) FROM THE DIRECTOR:
I have been a director of photography for four years, but my partner did Short+Sweet last year and absolutely loved it, which really sparked an interest for me to participate. And I have loved it! Everyone I have worked with is so talented and hardworking – it is truly a pleasure to be a part of.
(9) PLAIN and PEARL (Heat 6 Judges Choice)
Written by Vee Malnar
Directed by Caz Adams and Christine Greenough
STARRING – Caz Adams and Christine Greenough
Comedy – The horny sex drive in women versus men.
(9) FROM THE DIRECTORS:
Caz and Christine are both very experienced actors and directors, and chose to co-direct and star in Vee Malnar’s fun play – as it is right up their alley!
(10) STAMP, STOP, STEP (Heat 1 People’s Choice)
Written and directed by Frank Leggett
ITC = AMPULLAE OF LORENZINI
STARRING – Debbie Westaway
Comedy – Storytelling – monologue – Love to dance, love to sing, love to murder. Audience comedy favourite, on Friday Night.
(10) FROM THE DIRECTOR:
Being part of Short+Sweet is great fun and very satisfying creatively. Ali and the crew are simply amazing – there is no problem, that they can’t overcome. And working with Debbie Westaway, who fully inhabits every character and brings every script to life, is pure joy. Long live, S+S!
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FROM THE FESTIVAL DIRECTOR – Ali Bendall –
It has been an absolute honour and privilege leading the festival this year. The talent in Sydney is something special and I really hope that Short+Sweet continues to go from strength to strength as the community platform that it is.
It has been so rewarding to see creative teams from across Sydney (and beyond) coming together to support each other, collaborate and share their passion for theatre and the arts. I hope they all feel like they have got something valuable out of the experience.
A big thank you goes out to all of the writers, directors, performers, our tech crew and all of the work experience students involved in making this festival happen. Without the energy, enthusiasm and dedication of all of these volunteers, Short+Sweet wouldn’t have been possible.
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𝐆𝐀𝐋𝐀 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒 –
𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐃 – 17th May 2025 –
After 8 weeks of heats, 2 semi-final programs, a cabaret and squeezing a film festival in – Short+Sweet came to the end of the 3 month season with the Gala Finals this weekend.
A huge thank you to all of our supporters, and to TAFE NSW for providing us with a space and to “The Look” for donating the beautiful velvet drapes transforming a hall into a beautiful theatre to create and tell these stories!
𝐉𝐔𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘:
𝙒𝙃𝙀𝙀𝙇 𝙊𝙁 𝙁𝙊𝙍𝙏𝙐𝙉𝙀 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙀
Written by Scott Sickles / Directed by Henry Lopez Lopez
Starring: Max Shaw and Lara Heath
𝐉𝐔𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑 [𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓]
Piper Farrell for 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙋𝙄𝙂𝙀𝙊𝙉 and
Debbie Westaway for 𝙎𝙏𝘼𝙈𝙋, 𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙋, 𝙎𝙏𝙀𝙋
𝐉𝐔𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐏𝐓 / 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑:
Vincent Andriano for 𝙒𝙃𝘼𝙏 𝙄𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 12 𝘼𝙋𝙊𝙎𝙏𝙇𝙀𝙎 𝙒𝙀𝙍𝙀 𝙂𝘼𝙔?
𝐉𝐔𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑:
Henry Lopez Lopez for 𝙒𝙃𝙀𝙀𝙇 𝙊𝙁 𝙁𝙊𝙍𝙏𝙐𝙉𝙀 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙀
𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄’𝐒 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘:
𝙎𝙏𝘼𝙈𝙋, 𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙋, 𝙎𝙏𝙀𝙋 –
ITC = AMPULLAE OF LORENZINI
Written and Directed by Frank Leggett / Starring: Debbie Westaway
“Congratulations to everyone that took part – it was a very close final with a slick, professional and hugely entertaining program. The talent and creativity that shone was unbelievable and we look forward to welcoming everyone back next year!” – Ali Bendall –
EXPECT – Some plays may contain “crude indecent” adult themes, and strong highly offensive profanities, offensive/coarse language, offensive foul material/themes, moderate alcohol usage, and issues relating to trauma. Recommended only for persons over the age of 18.
Production photography by Simon Pearce.
– Friday 16th May 2025 and Saturday 17th May 2025 –
2025 GALA FINALS | Short+Sweet Sydney 2025 |
16 and 17 May 2025 with Multiple dates and times |
SHORT AND SWEET THEATRE 2025 – SYDNEY WEEK TWELVE @ TURNER HALL THEATRE – – –
SHORT + SWEET ‘The Biggest Little Festival in the World!’ –
TICKETS – https://www.tickettailor.com/events/shortsweetsydney/
WEBSITE – https://shortandsweet.org/festivals/shortsweet-sydney-theatre-festival-2025
FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/shortsweetsydney/
INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/shortsweetfest/
PROGRAMME – https://e.cpanel.red/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WEEK-12-SHORT-SWEET-SYDNEY-2025-PROGRAMME.pdf
This festival is proudly partnered with TAFE NSW
2025 GALA FINALS | Short+Sweet Sydney 2025 |
16 and 17 May 2025 with Multiple dates and times |
WHEN –
Festival starts from – Thursday 13th February 2025 to Saturday 17th May 2025 with Multiple dates and times.
WHERE –
TAFE building B – location is upstairs B1.04.HALL
Turner Hall
19 Mary Ann Street, Ultimo, NSW 2007
Near to the corner of Harris Street
SYDNEY NSW Australia
HANDICAPPED ACCESS and LIFT available at the ground floor – rear entrance to the building.
SYDNEY BUSES 501 from RAILWAY SQUARE, to Harris Street Bus Stop.
BOOKINGS AND INFORMATION – https://buytickets.at/shortsweetsydney
Short+Sweet is sponsored by The Look: Theatrical Drape Hire and Installations Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and beyond. https://www.thelook-sydney.com/
