SilverKottage

Aussie Short Film Golden Girl, Genevieve Clay with last year’s fruit cocktail.

SilverKottage was invited to attend the media launch of the Bondi Short Film Festival and below, is an impression of the films that Jonathan, a correspondent of ours, had.

I had the privilege of being at the media launch of the 2009, 9th Annual Bondi Short Film Festival. It is being held this coming Saturday 28th November 2009 at the Bondi Pavilion. I was able to see four films that have been shortlisted and here are my thoughts:

Frances and Annie
This film is presented by last years Tropfest winner Genevieve Clay and it shows. It is a well made short film that questions the perceptions of society towards those with disabilities. When a busy body neighbour Samantha hears about the trouble at Number 25, she jumps to conclusions. An insightful film, and one that shows Genevieve’s talents.

Hamburger Eyes
A unique film by Nick Fogarty made about the photographers that put together the magazine “Hamburger Eyes”. Watching this film, I couldn’t help feeling a little bias towards it having a soft spot for photography. A unique way of combing the story of photography into film.

Sunrise
A touching film by Platon Theodoris that was actually created by the kids at the Sunrise Children’s Village in Cambodia. It is a beautifully told story about a young boy who must look after his sisters while his mother goes away to work on a farm. This film really grew on me after the first viewing. It is one worth watching.

Post It!
A film by Paul Slater that follows Sci-Fi writer Jim Gordons bid to win back his best friend from his now live-in girlfriend. I found it to have a funny and humorous take on mateship and a film that encapsulates Australian humour.

A well recommended day out for the family, partners, kids and relatives. A showcase of Australian short films and talent.

Seems like a promising line up indeed! Great to see some great Australian talent and hopefully they’ll get to the big leagues. Genevieve Clay seems to be working the short film circuit a lot so I think she’s a definite name to remember. Though, another film about disadvantaged people? What’s next? A real film called Simple Jack?

Oscars on the way.

Nick Fogarty’s Hamburger Eyes is on Vimeo already, and you can also check out his website.

Platon Theodoris’s website can be found here.

You know this guy loves his film when his site is based off a giant miniDV tape!

Seems like if you want to be a good filmmaker, you need an online presence and be multitalented… a bit like someone you know?

I made it!

Actually, no… I didn’t even have time to enter the competition with all the work I’ve been doing with Paper Cranes and private videos and playing with the 7D.  
Nevertheless, I hope to have something for the next festivals coming up…. (Though, I’ve heard that one before!)

But, congratulations to the following 14 finalists of the Bondi Short Film Festival!

“Triple Concert in D Minor” – Writer/Director/Contact: Daniel Mitchell
Rebecca had always wanted to play her beloved triangle with an orchestra, when the national youth orchestra are in town holding auditions, Rebecca has the chance to make her everlasting dream come true.

“Fences” – Director/Contact: Tim Dean Writer: Chris Corbett
A young boy discovers that the world is more complicated than he ever imagined.

“Hamburger Eyes” – Director/Contact: Nick Fogarty
A short Documentary, shot on 16 mm film, made about the photographers that put together the black and white photo zube “Hamburger Eyes” – A magazine published tri-annually in San Francisco and captures pictorial history of both the intimate and iconic moments of everyday life.

The Bucks Party – Production Administrator/Contact: Kathy Wheatley Director: Mike Hoath
Aaron doesn’t like to see his old mate Tim as often as he’d like to these days, so when it comes as no real surprise when Aaron discovers that Tim has asked Dave, a bloke he works with, to be the best man at his upcoming wedding. Ever the loyal friend, Aaron shrugs off any small feelings of jealousy he might harbor and commits instead to a night of partying and drunken celebrations with his mate for his bucks party. But that night Aaron discovers something about the best man that could well and truly derail the marriage before it even starts, and has to then question his own motives before deciding what to do with the information.

“Swings and Roundabouts” – Producer/Contact: Nic Halliwell Director/Writer: Anna Mcgrath
It’s hard to find love, especially when you’re not even looking for it. Through a chance encounter, Ian and Flora give each other an excuse to smile…

“Frances and Annie” – Director/Contact: Genevieve Clay
When a young woman drops by to greet her new neighbours, her preconceptions of who is responsible for a horrendous tragedy hinges on a face and a note…

“Post This!” – Producer/Contact: Tara Foster Director: Paul Slater/Writers: Chris Byrnes, Tara Foster, Natalie Long/ Megan O’Dore/Anthony Roth/Celeste Dodwell/Lee Jones/Duncan Fellows
SCI-FI writer Jim Gordon loses his creativity after his best mate’s girlfriend moves in. So what will Jim do to get his creativity and best mate back.

“The Bubbleologist” – Production Administrator/Contact: Kathy Wheatley Director: Oyvind Opshaug/ Writer: Kazmir Sas
What is Bubbleology? Bubbleology is an exciting new, cutting edge study into the creation of bubbles. Since making the discovery in his teens, Andrew Suttar (aka Doctor Froth) has since taken his findings to audiences of children and adults alike through Perth, across Australia and around the world, spreading the gospel of bubble through an enthralling mix of science and theater. Be mesmerized as the Bubbleologist contorts an assortment of custom made bubble wands to create his very own brand of bubble art. Over time, his art has become a philosophy and Andrew believes that a bubble is more than just a bubble. The bubble-ologist is a visual poem about a high school science project, which became a passion, which became a passion, which became…something else…Is there more to the humble bubble than we first thought?

“JerryCan” – Producer/Contact: Stuart Parkyn Director/Writer: Julius Avery
Five bored kids with nothing to do decide to blow something up. Paper, scissors, rocks seals the fate of Nathan, who risks everything after he is bullied into making a life and death decision.

“My Girlfriend Jim” – Director: Damian Mclindon Producer: Ariel
Jim will do anything to dodge his chores.

“Fokkers Mountain Path” – Writer/Director/Contact: Luhsun Tan
The true story of a civilian’s clandestine account of a disappearing colonial world as his life ends in a Japanese POW camp.

“Sunrise” – Platon Theodoris
When their mother leaves them for the work and cash of a cucumber farm, 9 year old Chim is forced to quit school in order to care for his two younger sisters.

“Driven” – Director/Contact: Taylor Age Litton-Strain
Driven explores the conflicted expectations of today’s parents. Juggling work and fractured family relationships, it is the child who bears the unexpected consequences of his father’s frustrations…

“Close Distance” – Contact: Ruth Saunders Director: Richard Vilensky Producer: Cecilia Ritchie
Isaac Levi goes to collect his son from soccer one night only to find he’s been violently beaten. His search for vengeance leads him beyond his own sheltered world and into the streets of Islamic Sydney.

I’m pretty boned that I can’t make it to the screening on 28th November 2009 at the Bondi Pavillion. But hopefully, one of Silver Kottage’s correspondents will be attending to give me a review of how the event and films are.

All you writers, directors, producers and actors out there, it’s time to get your creative team together, take the camera out and make a short film for the Bondi Short Film Festival by 23rd October 2009.

… Hhhmmm, that sounded a bit too generic, doesn’t it?

Anyways, the Bondi Short Film Festival is in it’s 9th year and 8 years ago, Serhat Caradee, the director of Cedar Boys won. So, imagine if you won this year’s competition! It’s just one step closer to the big leagues.

The prizes up for grabs is pretty sweet, especially the free flight to a North American Festival of your choice (Texas Film Festival anyone?) and $3000 editing package from Visa.

If you’re interested, please go to the festival website here. Oh, did I mention that entry is FREE?!?!? That’s awesome to know for all struggling filmmakers (like me). So let’s get the ball rolling everyone.

You’ll never know, you might win and get to laugh at my failure get into any festival.
But if you need some help, I’m always here for some advice!

Oh Sandy, why would I leave Australia if I have you?