Press release from Flickerfest
Celebrating 20 years of short-film excellence, Flickerfest the original Bondi international short film festival has launched an extra special 20th anniversary program to mark the end of its teenage years.
Both film alumni and fresh up-and-coming stars were there to mark the occasion at Bondi’s Icebergs Dining Room and Bar last night.
The short film The Telegram Man, which will have its world premiere during the festival, screened to the appreciative crowd with the star of the film, Jack Thompson and his son Billy, who also appears in the film, both in attendance.
Joining them were actors Matilda Brown (Underbelly), Gracie Otto (Sea Patrol) and Barry Otto (South Solitary) among others.
After searching through a record number of 1793 entries, the top 100 flicks have been carefully handpicked to represent the most innovative, creative and cutting edge short films being produced in the world today.
This impressive number of contenders from all round the world confirms Flickerfest’s reputation as Australia’s largest and most respected short film competition.
The competition categories for 2011 include International and Australian short films, short documentaries and two new categories this year – GreenFlicks, a program of eco-friendly themed films and FlickerUp, a competition open to primary and high school student filmmakers across Australia.
Special showcases screening out of competition include Flickerkids specially curated for a younger audience, Comedy Shorts, a Star Wars short film tribute and a special Spotlight on Poland program, celebrating award winning Polish shorts.
International guests attending the festival in 2011 as Jury members are renowned Polish film expert Krzysztof Gierat, Director of the Krakow Film Festival and Elieen Arandiga director of The World Wide Short film festival Toronto – North America’s largest short film competition.
Local judges include Academy Award nominee Luke Doolan and highly regarded actress Susie Porter (East West 101).
In celebration of it’s 20th year, Flickerfest’s international reputation has escalated with all entries from the UK now receiving official recognition from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, to be eligible for a BAFTA nomination.
This is in addition to Flickerfest already being the only Academy Award accredited short film festival in Australia.
The theme for the 2011 trailer launches Flickerfest into another galaxy!
In full Star Wars theme Matilda Brown is Flickerfest’s own Princess Leia; Michael Dorman a dashing Luke Skywalker and David Wenham is the legendary Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The trailer, “May the Shorts Be With You” was directed by Hannah Hilliard and produced by Linda Micsko of award winning Franswa Sharl, which premiered at Flickerfest before going on to win the Crystal Bear at Berlin.
Over it’s past twenty years, Flickerfest has provided a platform for an impressive number of short films created by talented Australian filmmakers before they have attained international success with their feature film debuts.
These have included Sundance awarded director David Michod (Animal Kingdom), Cannes Film Festival winner Warwick Thornton (Samson and Delilah), Andrew Lancaster (Accidents Happen), Patrick Hughes (Red Hill), Claire McCarthy (Waiting City) and Leon Ford (Griff the Invisible).
Flickerfest launches under balmy summer night skies with the crème de la crème of Australian film celebrities in attendance on Friday 7th of January at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach Pavilion.
It wraps up ten days later on Sunday 16th January before hitting the road on a national tour covering 30 hot spots across the country.