Who said film festivals don’t belong to summer?
It has been 25 years since one of the most popular film events in Sydney started: Flickerfest, a festival where all you have to do is to watch short films from around the world and Australia, of course.
Flickerfest screens over 100 competing shorts but the number of entries this year was unbelievable 2300. It mainly focuses on Australasian productions. This way the festival is not only a major supporter for emerging directors and the indie side of the industry in Australia but also a great platform for international artists who otherwise couldn’t reach such a large audience as there is here in Sydney.
Photo by Gina Rubiano
Last Friday, Flickerfest kicked off in the Bondi Beach Pavilion with a super thrilling opening night by the sea. Just prior to the opening, it had been rainy cats and dogs before it became amazingly sunny and fresh. Drinks, finger food, great vibes, tunes and a proper dance floor lit by a psychedelic pink light made ensured guests kept partying until late to celebrate the first short film session of this magnificent event.
Photo by Gina Rubiano
The awesome party didn’t stop the films being the central role throughout the night. People rushed to grab their spots for the screening under the stars at the Bondi Pavilion, where you could hardly see an empty seat. The protagonists of the night were the seven shorts from local and overseas productions. My favourite short film was Nulla Nulla, a production that explores Australian aboriginal idiosyncrasies in their culture from a contemporary perspective, through a very humorous and clever way.
Photo by Gina Rubiano
It is also worth mentioning how lucky I felt for having been able to watch the latest short film made on David Bowie while he was still alive. I’m talking about Let’s Dance: Bowie Down Under. A film documenting the making of Lets Dance´s particular and interesting video-clip that Bowie shot in Australia. He was not only depicting the role of aboriginal people within the urban landscape of Australia, but he was also one of the few artists who exposed this particular human rights issue abroad, immortalising social problems through his voice and creativity. Special thanks to Flickerfest for having brought this short to us, especially at this time.
Photo by Gina Rubiano
As a woman I should proudly mention, highlight and congratulate the female power behind this event. For 19 years the festival has been in the hands of Bronwyn Kidd. As the time passes, under Bronwyn leadership, the festival seems to be getting bigger and stronger. Thanks to her and her team we all get to know a more artistic and cinematic face of Bondi Beach: definitely a one of a kind film event!
Photo by Gina Rubiano
Flickerfest, with over 20 film programs which includes sections for the Best of International and Australian showcase, a food for the mind section for the Best of Documentary, Innovative picks for Greenflicks, a fancy section From the Oscars, good for your soul Short Laughs Comedy, a most beloved section all the way from Europe- Windows on Europe, a section to awake the lover inside you with the Love Bites, and much more. Flickerfest definitely has something for everybody and gives us a unique glance of what’s going on around the industry as well as the outside world.
Photo by Gina Rubiano
Flickerfest opened on 8th January, and will be screening pure awesomeness until the 17th January at the Bondi Pavilion with a Closing Night at 8.30pm that promises to be as enchanting as the Opening was with the screening of the best of the fest and a party at the pop up bar on the beach! Also, for film industry people and students, there is a Special Event on 16th January from 10.00am -5.00pm called ‘FlickerLab’ comforted by workshops and talks where you could get to rub shoulders with like minded people as well as with producers, directors, marketing people and distribution experts.
Photo by Gina Rubiano
For more information on everything regarding Flickerfest 2016 please visit their website and go for a stroll down to the stunning Bondi Beach. Then have fun overdosing on Short Films!
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