Micro Short
Marbles
Directed by 
Simona Varga, Owen Smith
AFIN 2026 Nominee · 4 nominations
- 2026
- 8m
-
Australia - English
- M
- Drama
Stills
3 frames 
Still in the running. Winner announced at Awards Night, 19 September 2026.
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Credits
Written by
Produced by
Cinematography
Editing
Production Company
- Short Stack Productions
Synopsis
Marbles follows Sophie a 25-year-old lawyer whose life is upended when her father is diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and parkinsonism, and has a fall. Forced to step into the demanding role of full time carer, Sophie must navigate not only her demanding job, a failing public health system, but also the emotional toll of watching the man who raised her slowly fade away. When given the choice between aged care or bringing him home, she chooses the latter, driven by a complex mix of love and duty. Through a series of tender and turbulent moments, the film explores the fragility of family, love, and identity. As Sophie’s world becomes consumed, she learns that caring for her father is both her greatest burden and her deepest act of love. Once he cared for her, and now the roles are reversed. Raw and intimate, Marbles sits at the intersection of a deeply human story about memory, redemption, grief and quiet strength.
On the nomination
Incredibly proud of Luke receiving this nomination. He is wonderfully talented and incredibly dedicated. It was an honour to work with him and an absolute delight to see him recognised for this role, especially one so special to me.
Director's Statement
Marbles came from a place I didn’t really plan to explore publicly. It started as something more private, almost like journaling. A way of processing what it means to care for someone you love as they slowly change, and how that quietly reshapes your own life in the process. In many ways, making this film felt therapeutic. Like how an artist puts their trauma into a painting and trying to make sense of it. At its core, the film is about that role reversal between parent and child, and the strange, painful, sometimes even absurd moments that come with it. I wasn’t interested in dramatising it too heavily, and I wanted audiences to be transplanted into the thick of it, rather than a 'beginning' and an 'end'. I wanted it to feel real, intimate, and honest. The kind of moments that often go unseen but sit with you long after. Visually and tonally, we kept everything grounded and restrained to reflect that internal experience. It’s less about big plot points and more about emotional truth. I think Marbles connects because it taps into something a lot of people are quietly going through, whether it’s caregiving, grief, or the fear of losing someone piece by piece. It’s a small story, but one that carries a lot of weight. Thank you for considering it.
What makes this one special
- Nominated in 4 AFIN categoriesBest Australian Micro Short Film · Best Director · Best Australian Supporting Performance · Best Australian Lead Performance
- A first-time filmmaker
Directors' Biography
Simona Varga Owen Smith Directors
Simona Varga is an Australian-Romanian filmmaker and actress based in Queensland. With a lifelong passion for storytelling and film, she has trained extensively in voice and screen acting, working closely with experienced acting coaches and casting directors. Having gained hands-on experience across multiple roles, including Director, Assistant Director, and Producer on various short films, Simona marks her official directorial debut with Marbles, co-directed alongside Owen Smith of Short Stack Productions. Together, they bring a bold and collaborative vision to the project, showcasing their commitment to cinematic storytelling.
Official laurels
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Verified by AFIN Nominee · Best Australian Micro Short Film Download laurel -
Verified by AFIN Nominee · Best Director Download laurel -
Verified by AFIN Nominee · Best Australian Supporting Performance Download laurel Certificate: Luke O'Neill -
Verified by AFIN Nominee · Best Australian Lead Performance Download laurel
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Marbles was an official Nominee for Best Australian Micro Short Film, Best Director, Best Australian Supporting Performance and Best Australian Lead Performance at the AFIN International Film Festival 2026, a Top 100 Best Reviewed and IMDb-qualifying festival.
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