Regional Tour

HELLO FRIENDS

It's a  fortnight since the finale of the 29th St Kilda Film Festival, and we all know what that means... not really, but that's what this blog is for! It's time for the Regional Tour, where SKFF brings an assortment of Festival goodies to towns around Victoria, for those who were unable to make it to Melbourne in May. Whether you're after a documentary fan, a comedy nut or love a good old fashioned apocalypse, there's something for everyone in this eclectic selection

Some of the films to feature are -- 


Transmission

Transmission

A thrilling post-apocalyptic tale about a father and daughter and this year's winner of the Best Short Film, Best Actor and Best Editing awards

The Globe Collector 
A quirky documentary about light globe collection and winner of this year's Best Documentary award

After the Credits 
What happens 'after the credits' of a typical Hollywood romance -- winner of Best Screenplay

Betty's Tap Catz

Betty's Tap Catz 
A heart-warming documentary about an elderly woman who, at 76, still teaches tap dancing

Bonny Doon 
Stephen Curry and Dave Lawson in a car, talking about Curry's acting career and techniques = hilarity

The venues throughout the state to showcase SKFF films include -- 

NHILL  Nhill Memorial Community Centre Theatre   Friday 15 June 7.30pm   HAMILTON   Hamilton Cinema      Saturday 16 June 1pm    MILDURA   Wesley Church      Friday 22 June 7.30pm  CHARLTON   The Rex       Saturday 23 June 7.30pm

MALLACOOTA   Mudbrick Pavilion      Friday 29 June 7.30pm   BAIRNSDALE   Sun Cinema - Bairnsdale   Saturday 30 June 7.30pm   COHUNA   Memorial Hall       Friday 6 July 7.30pm    BENDIGO  Star Cinema       Saturday 7 July 7pm

For further information about the Regional Tour's film selection and more about this year's Festival in general, follow this link. 


Hints and tips for short film submissions to next year's St Kilda Film Festival will be coming in the next blog update.

Chat soon,

In-the-know Intern

Goodbye... until the Regional Tour!

As we go on, 

We remember,

All the good times,

We had together. 

Awful song, lovely message. 

Tonight the 29th St Kilda Film Festival waved goodbye to another year of innovative and inspiring short films from across Australia (and the world -- for the International section). We've loved seeing y'all at The Astor, The Palais, Town Hall and Forum Hall, supporting the industry we all love in such a quintessentially 'Melbourne' setting.    

Congratulations to all the winners at tonight's Closing Night Awards -- you all deserve the great prizes on offer (including a whopping $10,000 for Best Short Film). For everyone who was nominated for an award, you should be proud too -- it takes a lot to stand out from such a strong field of entrants. In other Closing Night comments, Bob Franklin was in fine form as MC, delivering a dry-as-gin routine in hilarious fashion, and the venue looked very swish with colourful table displays and watercolour lighting effects a treat for the eyes. 

Listed below is a list of the winning films and people: 

Best Achievement in Production Design: Cryo – KAREN MURPHY
Best Achievement in Sound Post Production: Nullarbor - MATT BAUER
Best Original Score: The Missing Key - MILES NICHOLAS, JONATHAN NIX, KATHRYN BROWNHILL
SBS Award Winner: THE WILDING, Dir Grant Scicluna / Prod Jannine Barnes
Under the Radar – Best Youth Short Film: THE TROUBLE WITH ALEXANDER – Dir & Prod Blake Borcich
Best Achievement in Indigenous Filmmaking: YAPAWARNTI PALU RIJIKARRIJANI – Dir. Kai Raisbeck / Prod. Kai Raisbeck
Best Documentary: THE GLOBE COLLECTOR – Dir. Summer DeRoche / Prod. Andrea Distefano
Best Animation: THE MISSING KEY – Dir. Jonathan Nix /Prod. Garth Nix
Best Comedy: BOO! – Dir. Rupert Reid / Prod. Matthew Reeder
Best Actor: ANGOURIE RICE – Transmission
Audience Choice Award: THE PALACE – Dir. Anthony Maras / Prod. Anthony Maras, Kate Croser, Andros Achilleos
Craft Award: INTO THE SUN – Dir. Amy Gebhardt / Prod. Allison Lockwood
Craft Award Commendation: TEN QUINTILLION – Dir. Romilly Spiers / Prod. Romilly Spiers, Daniel Gregg
Best Director: Transmission - ZAK HILDITCH


BEST SHORT FILM: Transmission – Dir. Zak Hilditch / Prod. Liz Kearney


Well that's all folks, for the St Kilda Film Festival 2012! All the team have had a great Festival and we look forward to seeing next year's Top 100 entries, along with a whole new array of SoundKilda clips, new and exciting forums, and a new international program. 


I hope that you're all as excited about the future of Aussie film as we are! 


Remember: I'll be back to bring updates about the Regional Tour later this year! 


Intern (Max) Over and Out 

Things got arty at the after party

The Festival Wraps Up

Festival Friends,

Sadly, the curtain is soon to close on another year of the St Kilda Film Festival -- and what a year it has been! Yesterday the Top 100 sessions had solid attendance, alongside the Industry Open Day and the specialist Forums at the Forum Hall. As has become an annual tradition, Paul Harris hosted Film Buff's Forecast program, opening with, "We are coming live from the foyer of the beautiful, ornate few remaining picture palaces in Melbourne -- The Astor... it might be in a traffic gridlock but it's still looking in all its pristine glory".

Harris got to chat with Colin Usher, director of Top 100 documentary, the very sweet Betty's Tap Catz. Usher says "I like doing an uplifting documentary - so when the audience walks out of the theatre they feel happy about it". Betty's Tap Catz is the feel-good documentary about Betty Crocker ("not to be confused with the cookery icon" says Harris) a mature-aged dance teacher, motivating other elderly folks to get up and boogie down.

Another guest featured was the director of Tranmission Zak Hilditch. Harris mentions that it "has already had a pretty run and has played at several festivals including Tribeca" "yeah, it's been pretty exciting to meet other filmmakers and screenwriters". Funded by Screen Australia's 'Springboard' initiative, the film was made as teaser for a feature or at least "the mood and tone of a feature" as Hilditch says.

To catch the rest of yesterday's 'Film Buff's Forecast' check out http://ondemand.rrr.org.au/  for more filmy goodness.

Ten Things To Know Before You Shoot -- Forum on Friday, presented by Digital Pictures

Triple R's 'Film Buff's Forecast' -- direct from The Astor's wonderful Art Deco lobby

Remember that tonight is Closing Night, for which there are still tickets available to see the Festival's best and brightest be awarded for their efforts. It will be a great night of celebrating Australia's film industry and perhaps a good chance to network...

Also, there are the two final Top 100 film sessions (including the moving Adam's Tallit, the mesmerising documentary collaboration We Were Here, and the hilarious Picking Up At Auschwitz) the first session starts at 3.30pm, the second at 6.30pm. Also, we can't forget about the second Irish Shorts session (from 5pm), another fresh look at Irish culture.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the last night of St Kilda Film Festival 2012.
This isn't my last post, so don't get all teary... I'll be updating the blog with winners from tonight and information regarding the upcoming TOUR for Rural Victoria.

Lots of love,

Can't-Think-Of-Witty-Pseudonym-Intern

Some Funky Opening Night Photos

The Palais - Opening Night (photo - Jim Lee)

Audience on Opening Night (photo - SDP Media)

Shane Jacobson and Adam Elliot (photo - SDP Media)

Dave Lawson and Stephen Curry (photo - Jim Lee)

Festival Week in Full Swing

St Kilda Film Fest is in full swing and although all the staff are funning flat out, everyone is having a blast. Here's a quick run-down of what's happened and what's happening tonight. Plus a quick preview of Saturday's highlights...

YESTERDAY:
Under the Radar was well attended by filmmakers, alongside their family, friends and the general festival-going public. The winner of the youth program will be announced on Sunday night.
Annecy: 1997 to 2004 drew in animation buffs with its eclectic showcase of shorts.
Session One of the Top 100 gave everyone another sample of what's to come throughout the week.
Pitch Clinic and From Longs to Shorts! filled up Forum Hall with crowds of intrigued film practitioners, keen to soak up every bit of advice from leading Industry figures.

TONIGHT:
Sessions Two and Three of the Top 100 will play at The Astor from 6pm, these programs include:

Opening Night star 'The Globe Collector'
A revealing documentary about the Bali 9 'My Brother Andy'
Another intriguing character-documentary with 'It's Him Terry Lim!' 
The visually stunning 'Ten Quintillion'
Magical animation 'Polo's Robot' 
Tragi-comic meditation on being dumped 'The Human Fog' 

A drama about dealing with tragedy 'Shelling Peas'
The good, bad and ugly of Indians living in Melbourne 'In My Skin'
Everything can change in a 'Millisecond' 
Polly wants to map a lost city in 'The Cartographer' 
Intense study of PTSD 'Toy Soldier' 
Inspiring documentary 'On Her Shoulders' 

Making a Music Video 

Before heading over to SoundKilda, you might want to see how the music videos are made. All the elements of effectively merging imagery and melody are pulled-apart and studied. 

From 6.30 to 8pm at Forum Hall 

SOUNDKILDA 

Music video for 'Against the Grain' 

The much anticipated return of this festival favourite starts at 9pm, at The Astor.  The fabulous clips featured are from renowned artists such as Gotye, Miami Horror, and Kate Miller-Heidke, and directed by acclaimed auteurs including Darcy Prendergast, Natasha Pincus, and Krozm.

$3,500 in prizes is given to the most outstanding clips and an audience choice winner.

Come to soak up the atmosphere and hum along to some great tunes if you've not already bought tickets.

SOME THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO:
Industry Open Day 
Are you looking to enroll in a film school? 
Are you searching for the perfect equipment for your next shoot? 
Then come to the free 'Industry Open Day' to be held from 12pm to 4pm in The Astor's foyer on Saturday afternoon. With a wide range of aspects of the Industry catered for (post-production, camera equipment, film schools and more), exhibitors will have desks set up with experts and educators there to help with queries and/or inspiration!

Exhibitors include: 
Lemac
Music & Effects
RMIT University
Open Channel 
Australian Directors Guild 
... and many more!

Blaze of Glory 
The unofficial festival party is on this Saturday night at The Astor from 10.30pm.
Hosted by the SKFF staff joker Paul Shea, it'll be a night of drinks and nostalgia, set to the music of Duran Duran and Madonna, among others superstars of 'movie music'.
It's ONLY $5 too, so come along and be merry!

For all festival, program and ticketing information visit stkildafilmfestival.com.au

Oh what a night!

Opening Night was (as always) a roaring success, with all screened films generating thunderous applause from the massive Palais audience. The Globe Collector had a particularly loud response of laughter and cheers, so too did Transmission (how good was the little girl's performance?!). Glen Robbins was the understated yet warm and funny host, guiding everyone through the speeches -- with Paul Harris' trademark wit and passion for film the highlight.

So where do we go from here? 
Well, it's time to get knee-deep in Festival goodness!
Under the Radar -- the youth-oriented video competition -- will exhibit some of the freshest film talent down-under from 6pm to 7.30pm at The Astor 
Australia's Top 100 Films: Session One will be the first taste (other than last night) audiences will get for the finest short films in the country that are in competition for Sunday's awards. From 7.30pm to 9pm at The Astor
Best of Annecy International Animation Festival: 1997 to 2004 offers half of the delightful animation selection for this year, brought to you straight from the archive of the world's preeminent animation festival, from 9pm to 10.30pm at The Astor 


Not to mention... FORUMS!
Pitch Clinic -- a chance to get up close and personal with Industry experts and their helpful advice on the art of pitching to film financiers 6pm to 7.30pm at Forum Hall 
From Shorts to Longs! The Leap to Directing Features -- a guide for the transition between short and feature filmmaking, with a panel of directors who've done just that. 7.30pm to 9pm at Forum Hall 

So come along, grab some popcorn, make yourself comfortable and be swept away by the superb short films of the SKFF! Or go to Forum Hall with several notepads and pens and get ready for some very beneficial advice!

Hope to see you there!

<Insert Intern>

Bonny Doon -- A Bucket of KFC

Late last Saturday night, Paul Harris joined Headley Gritter and a panel including Stephen Curry, Matt Saville and Dave Lawson for RRR's The Party Show to talk about their careers, philosophies and SKFF. 

Curry (perhaps best known for roles in The Castle and The King), Lawson (standup comedian) and Saville (director of We Can Be Heroes and The King) collaborated on a short film which features in this year's Top 100, titled Bonny Doon. The film, a car-set impromptu tour-de-force, was allegedly made on the budget of "a bucket of KFC" and is "a wonderful journey from A to A" as Curry describes.

When asked (by its makers) why the film was chosen to screen at the Festival, Harris answered that as a curator of a film festival, he looks for films that stand out, aren't made to a "house style" meaning it isn't 'the norm' -- and when "something as idiosyncratic as [Bonny Doon]" comes along, it's hard not to pay attention.

Another guest to feature on the show was Natasha Pincus, director of the music video monolith 'Somebody That I Used to Know' (with over 215 million views... oh my golly!) who describes her success as having a paradoxical effect -- "Life is completely like it was. But nothing like it was." When asked when she was planning next to make a film clip she said "I'm careful when picking projects because they take a long time". Unlike the few hours it took to film Bonny Doon "it took 26 hours" of (mostly) naked Gotye and Kimbra covered in body paint.


Catch the work of Curry, Saville, Lawson and Pincus during the festival:
Bonny Doon -- Top 100 Session Five: 9pm Friday, May 25
Somebody That I Used To Know -- SoundKilda: 9pm Thursday, May 24     

Listen to the hilarious banter of Headley and company online at http://ondemand.rrr.org.au/

Opening in FOUR HOURS!!!!

It's time to play the music. 
It's time to light the lights. 
It's time to turn on the projector 
-- for Opening Night tonight.

That's right, I'm a huge Muppets fan. I'm also a huge St Kilda Film Festival fan (if you've not noticed) -- speaking of which, it's time to officially OPEN THE FESTIVAL! Tonight The Palais plays host to an eclectic range of films -- a taste of the smorgasbord to come.

In its 29th year, SKFF is a uniquely 'Melbourne' event -- with over 100 films from some of Australia's best filmmakers screening over the week, alongside forums and special screenings, it all culminates in Sunday's Closing Night awards.

The films to be screened tonight are: 
Suspended -- A magical spectacle
Burn -- Epic skateboarding short
Am I OK -- A tongue-in-cheek existential crisis
Sidewalk Scribble -- A musical portrait of a city
Transmission -- The apocalypse with a twist
The Globe Collector -- Documentary making at its most inventive
Into the Sun -- An angel falls from the sky into deep water
Bonny Doon -- Comedy gold in a car

I hope that you're as excited as I am about all these fabulous films and catch glimpses of those who made them!

Also, yesterday I blogged a bunch of quotes from all the SKFF staff, minus the wonderful Amber Harris -- Program Development -- who was away from the office. 


In answer to my general question, 'What are you most excited about for Opening Night?' 
"Finally putting faces to the names of filmmakers and Industry folk I've been talking to over the past few months"

On that note, see you real soon!
I'm off to put my face on...

LOVE

Fancy Dress Intern

Interview Corman at Ya!

Jamie Blanks and Mark Hartley Interviewed on RRR's Film Buff's Forecast

St Kilda Film Festival's trailer tribute to the "undisputed King of the Bs", Roger Corman, will be screened this Friday from 11pm at The Astor Theatre. For the late-night session, the superbly talented Mark Hartley and Jamie Blanks have compiled the best "money shots" from Corman's long career in film. Paul Harris interviewed them on his Film Buff's Forecast radio show, to get their perspective on Corman and his film career -- with the privilege of "access to Joe Dante's archive".

The dangerous babes that inhabited Corman's world!

When creating a compilation of Corman's filmography highlights, Blanks and Hartley decided "the best way to do it, is to find the best trailers" -- to gather all the strangest snippets of arresting imagery, and accompanying swellings of music. In other words, creating a showcase of mini-films -- a cinematic licorice all-sorts if you will.

"The first half [of the program] is films Corman directed himself," says Hartley, "the second half will be those [films] he produced". They agree they're "in love with the trailers from the 70s" -- an era in which Corman was particularly active. Harris concurs that he loves"the old school trailers" because they "are in effect like going down sideshow alley -- going by all these carny spruikers, trying to get people into their tents". According to Blanks, Hartley and Harris, the intriguing, playful and teasing nature of yesteryear's trailers contrasts drastically to today's trailers which Harris says "are something to be endured" rather than enjoyed.

To expand your opinion of trailers, come along and be swept away in a high tide of DRAMA! INTRIGUE! ROMANCE!

Corman at Ya! 
@ The Astor
11pm to 12.30am 
Friday, May 25 


To listen to the interview, check out http://ondemand.rrr.org.au/  and click the link to Film Buff's Forecast
For more information about Roger Corman, go to http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000339/

Tomorrow is LIFT-OFF!!

After months of organisation and hard-work, the SKFF team will kick off the Festival with the help of a huge audience of film practitioners and movie buffs, tomorrow night at the wonderful Palais Theatre. It will surely be a magical evening, so I asked team members what they're most excited about regarding Melbourne's most exciting Tuesday night this year...   

"Anyone who's thinking of going to the iconic Palais tomorrow night, this might be your last ever opportunity to see films there -- because with the quality of the program, we're going to lift the roof off the theatre" - Paul Harris, SKFF Festival Director 

"I can't wait for the filmmakers to finally see their films on the big screen" - Adele Denison, SKFF Festival Producer 

"Very excited! There's a lot going on, but Opening Night will no doubt will be a highlight of the festival" - Angus Macpherson, SKFF Production Manager 

"Excited as I am every year. I love seeing the Palais full and all the anticipation of the week ahead" - Annie Helps, SKFF Marketing

"Super excited! It will be one of the best opening nights yet -- the hype and the buzz this year is great. And we have such a great selection films -- some world premieres too" - Anthoula Ververis, SKFF Ticketing and VIP Manager  

"The mixologist, who'll be making daiquiris and the the signature Renault cocktail. Also keen to see the audience reaction to 'Bonnie Doon'." - Paul Shea, Business Development    

"Looking forward to the audience's response to the taste of the showcase to come" - Jake Brown, SKFF Festival Administrator 

"Seeing everyone dressed up and glamorous" - Sophie Fernandes, SKFF Program Support  

"Having the Palais at near-capacity is always a thrill" - Dean Mandaru, SKFF Business Development 

We look forward to seeing you dressed to the nines -- I've already dusted off my favourite 'dressy' jacket and am considering brushing my hair -- and being swept away by some of Australia's best new short films. I am actually dizzy with excitement! 

Watch this space throughout the week... Will update VERY soon, 

Excitable Intern


"Walk the yellow carpet at the magnificent Palais Theatre as we celebrate the triumphs of our local film industry. Featuring a selection of what's to come for the 2012 St Kilda Film Festival." 
OPENING NIGHT -- 7.30pm Tomorrow (!), May 22nd
  

Pitch Clinic Update

As you (hopefully) know already, there's a great opportunity for filmmakers to learn the art of successfully 'pitching' screen projects to financiers at this year's forum 'Pitch Clinic'. Paul Harris talked to Forum panelist Pamela Wilson-Endrina on his RRR show, a former entertainment lawyer who spent ten years working in the USA, helping to operate a film investment arm of a larger banking company.

Paul: Do you have any view on how films are produced in Australia? 

Pamela: When I came back to Australia, one thing that struck me was the lack of formal education in the packaging and understanding of screen business... as opposed to actually making [films]. 

What makes a pitch attention-worthy? 

(1) As a financier the most important thing is whether you like the person... If you don't like them, don't work with them... (2) Be interested in what they're pitching... (3) [The pitcher] needs to demonstrate their understanding of their audience and how commercial their proposition. 

How long does the ideal pitch take? 

I wouldn't go any more than ten to fifteen... at the ten to twelve minute mark you see their eyes to glaze over... If you haven't got them asking questions and being active in the first five minutes, you're in trouble.  

In response to Wilson-Endrina's anxieties about the state of Australian screen pitching, she's established a short course at Victoria University's Sir Zelman Cowen Centre which not only includes information for successful pitching, but everything in screen business -- from international co-producing to understanding the paradigms of marketing and distribution. 'Pitch Clinic' will be a snapshot of the business of filmmaking with Endria-Wilson alongside a panel of Industry experts who will give invaluable advice for emerging to established practitioners, looking to find funding for their screen dreams.

Also on the panel is John Endrina -- who worked with his wife in the screen investment firm while they were based in the USA -- and Alan Finney, the esteemed chair of the Australian Film Institute (AFI) who formely acted as Vice President and Managing Director of Bueno Vista International (now Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures).

An opportunity to have access to such experienced Industry experts is very rare, so we recommend you come along and make the most of it!

'Pitch Clinic' is the first Filmmaker Development Forum, and will be held at Forum Hall on Wednesday, May 23rd -- 6pm to 7.30pm   

Kthxbai
Intern 101

Opening Night Excitement -- a taste of what's to come (from 2011's festival)



The Palais Theatre



St Kilda Town Hall... after dark



Festival friend Adam Elliot



Melbourne talk show host (and personal favourite) Yumi Stynes



Film folk excitedly waiting in the foyer of The Palais



More after party action



Photos courtesy of Jim Lee

Last chance to WIN

Hey there film folk!

Just a quick reminder... 

If you're not a fan of SKFF on Facebook (perhaps you should be... just sayin'), or you've not checked the Festival's website for a while, then you might not know about the great prizes on offer for next week -- and today is the LAST DAY to enter for your chance to nab many amazing prizes including: 

- VIP Opening and Closing Night tickets (with Renault transfers)! 

- Accomodation at the Cosmopolitan Hotel 

- 2x SKFF Golden Tickets

Plus MORE prizes from our fabulous sponsors

Seriously, what do you have to lose?! 

Get on it!

Visit the website for more details -- 

http://www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/2012-s2/page-158

Exciting Update!

Oh hi, Festival Followers!

We've recently received more great news for a Top 100 short film. 'The Globe Collector' (see below) and Amy Gebhardt's summer-themed 'We Were Here' has been selected to screen at the Sheffield Doc/Fest -- an event which showcases some of the best documentary talent from around the world. They're two of only three Australian documentaries to show, so The Globe Collector's director Summer DeRoche and producer Andrea Distefano are heading over to the UK with the support of Screen Australia, to take advantage of this opportunity. Much like SKFF, the Sheffield Doc/Fest not only screens great films, but has opportunities to partake in workshops/forums and networking events.

Big congratulations to all of them! The trailer for 'We Were Here' is below...

In other news...

We're only ONE WEEK (and a day) from St Kilda Film Festival 2012 and we couldn't be much more excited/anxious. Corman At Ya! is looking in fine B-movie form; our doyennes of ticketing are tapping frantically at their keyboards, arranging seats for the fast-filling sessions of Australia's Top 100 Short Films; ears are being flushed in preparation for SoundKILDA and Blaze of Glory; and this little intern should be writing some more 'Forum Fever' updates...

Adios for now!

Many Apologies,

In Turn
  

The Globe Collector

With one of the most original concepts for a documentary SKFF has ever seen, 'The Globe Collector' is about one man's passion for light globes. Paul Harris got to speak with the director, Melbourne-based Summer DeRoche and her film's producer Andrea Distefano, on his RRR radio program 'Film Buff's Forecast' last Saturday.

    Summer DeRoche, child of influential screenwriter Everett DeRoche (whose credits include Aussie classics 'Razorback' and 'Long Weekend'), grew up on film sets, harbouring ambitions to make films from an early age. She studied for her Bachelor of Film and TV at Swinburne University, where she met Distefano. 'The Globe Collector' is their most successful collaboration to date -- already lining up international premieres. Although the film was originally made for TropFest (2012's 'signature item' was light globe) it has a found a life of its own.
    "I was quite attracted to the imagery of light globe collections," says DeRoche, of her original inspiration. But an image isn't enough to sustain audience interest, there needs to be an engaging subject -- she found that in Andrew Pullen.
    With one of the world's largest light globe collections, Pullen has an all consuming passion for electronics, which fill his relatively secluded life in Tasmania. His solitude might stem from his Asperger's syndrome, but he describes it more as a label than anything else -- "They say it’s a disorder, I don’t like the term of ‘disorder’, it’s just another type of person, another type of personality" -- a sentiment that makes this documentary surprisingly moving.
    Made on a shoestring budget with a five person crew and tight interstate shooting schedule, 'The Globe Collector' has come together in a neat package with an interesting idea and emotional tug -- no wonder, then, that it's playing Opening Night at The Palais Theatre which Paul Harris reminds DeRoche and Disefano is "full of light globes".
    So what's next for the director and producer? Distefano says producing features is what she's "aiming for", she found her time as an assistant on Australian musical 'Bran Nue Dae' inspirational and educational. DeRoche also hopes to jump from directing short films to features. Perhaps they should pop over to the 'From Shorts to Longs' forum (May 23, 8pm -- Forum Hall)...

'The Globe Collector' screens at SKFF: 
Opening Night @ The Palais Theatre, TUES May 22nd -- 7.30pm 
AND
Session Two of Top 100 @ The Astor Theatre, THURS May 24th -- 6pm   

For the film synopsis and trailer visit: http://theglobecollector.com/
For more on the director visit: http://summerderoche.com/

FORUM FEVER: Update #2

From Shorts to Longs 

Wednesday, May 23rd 

8pm to 9.30pm

How does a filmmaker make the transition between making short and feature films? Can I use my short film as a trailer for my feature? Find out the answers to these confounding questions with a series of anecdotes and helpful hints from some of the freshest film industry talents.

Making a Music Video --

Everything You Need to Know 

Thursday, May 24th

6.30pm to 8pm

'Thriller', 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' and 'Single Ladies'... What do all these songs have in common? They all have very memorable music videos. Not only is it a great marketing tool -- it's another level of artistic expression. Learn tips for effective music video production from industry pros like Natasha Pincus, who directed Australia's most-viewed online video, Gotye's 'Somebody That I Used To Know' (nearly 200 million views). Darren Middleton, from seminal rock band Powderfinger, will also be talking about his experiences with both film and music.

'Making a Music Video' will be the perfect lead-up to SoundKilda music video competition -- which follows straight after, at The Astor.  

Get Animated -- Annecy and Beyond

Friday, May 25th

6pm to 7.30pm

Join Oscar nominee Anthony Lucas (The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello),Oscar winner Adam Elliot (Harvey Krumpet, Mary and Max) and advertising and stop-motion guru Glen Hunwick in their discussion of the Annecy International Animated Film Festival and the ever-expanding world of animated cinema. This forum is moderated by Robert Stephenson, who teaches at the VCA and has a film in this year's Top 100 -- the satirical animation Paris Lakes (which was screened at Annecy last year).

NEWS 08.05.12

As the Festival gets closer, more success stories are flooding in regarding our Top 100 films.  Excitement!

The Palace is Picture Perfect

Another win for Australian-Cypriot co-production of The Palace (the film won several awards at the South Australian Screen Awards), Nick Matthews has been awarded Best Cinematography in the short film category.

A tense and stark film, set during the political and social unrest in 70’s Cyprus, The Palace has been widely acclaimed since its release last year.   

The Palace screens at SKFF in Session 8 of the Top 100 program, Saturday May 26^th 3pm – 4.30pm

VCA Wins Youth Spirit

Victorian College of the Arts graduate Andrew Kavanagh has won the national Spirit of Youth Award thanks to his efforts on two short films, Men of the Earth and At the Formal – the latter of which will be screening at SKFF. Originally from North Carlton, Kavanagh will be travelling to Los Angeles and receive mentorship from Australian-born director Robert Luketic (of Legally Blonde fame) on Hollywood film sets.

At the Formal is a surreal thriller, with a darkly humorous twist, screens at SKFF in Session 13 of the Top 100 program, Sunday May 27^th 2pm – 3.30pm

AFTRS Cannes Do

 Australian Film, Television and Radio School is screening six of the school’s most outstanding short films in the Aus/NZ focused ‘Cinema des Antipodes’ program at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Two of the exhibited, ‘Emily’ and ‘Moth’ films will be in competition in the Top 100.

Emily, a psychological thriller (which was recently nominated for a Student Academy Award) screens at SKFF in Session 7 of the Top 100 program, Saturday May 26^th 1.30pm – 3pm

Moth, a story of escapism, screens at SKFF in Session 15 of the Top 100 program, Sunday May 27^th 6.30pm – 8pm

CONGRATULATIONS to the above films. Talent is emerging from everywhere and we’re thrilled to showcase some of Australia’s best right here, in St Kilda, in 14 days!

Xoxo

(Gossip) Intern  

The Wonderful World of Annecy

Eclectic. Exciting. Bizarre. Whimsical. These are some of the words you could use to describe the animations to expect at Annecy, the world's premiere animation festival. Since its 1960 inception, the Festival has continually supported the emergence of new creative talent. To celebrate this institution, St Kilda Film Festival is offering its patrons the opportunity to explore the world of Annecy through two sessions, showcasing some of the best of the Festival between 1997 and 2011.

Best of Annecy: Program One (1997 to 2004) 
Elderly monks in love, and surreal train stations, revolutions of crustaceans and gender transformation. Sounds like the surreal lyrics of a B-52s song.


Best of Annecy: Program Two (2004 to 2011) 
Clever visual trickery, innovative stop-motion techniques and elegantly crafted stories - the love of animation is clearly evident in these films.

For more information about Annecy, you can visit the website at http://annecy.org/home or to read more about the films selected for SKFF's special programs, visit http://www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/2012/flipbook.html

Program is OUT!!!

That's right. The program for the St Kilda Film Festival was officially launched at last night's Film Buff's Trivia and is ready for your perusal. Highlights of 2012's stellar line-up include the much-mentioned Australia's Top 100 Short Films, SoundKilda Music Video Competition, Cork Film Festival showcase, Annecy animation showcase, Industry Open Day, and Blaze of Glory. The festival kicks off in 19 days and 6 hours (according to the clever countdown thing on the website) with all the bells and whistles of Opening Night which will give audiences a tantilising teaser of the standard of film fare to come. World premieres for Suspended, Am I Okay and Bonny Doon on the night will surely bring an air of antici...pation and the mysterious compere will shock and delight (maybe not shock) throughout the evening... All for $30!! Definitely one of the best things to do on a Tuesday night!

Will update soon!

Cheery regards,

Copywriter2000

Ticketing and program details are available at  http://www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/2012/flipbook.html

DIRECTOR PROFILE: BEN MATTHEWS

SKFF Festival Director, Paul Harris, had the opportunity to interview Top 100 participant, Ben Matthews, who was recently nominated for a 'Student Oscar'. The interview can be heard at http://www.rrr.org.au/program/film-buff-s-forecast/ and here's a brief profile of the young director: 

Graduate of AFTRS (Australian Film, Television and Radio School), Ben Matthews wrote the first story outline for his short film Emily while living in Los Angeles. Prior to his directorial debut, he studied acting at New York's Atlantic Theatre Company. Treading the boards gave him an appreciation of the importance of a strong story, which he notes as being "really revered in theatre, [but] it isn't always in Hollywood."
    Emily is a psychological thriller about the homecoming of the disturbed title character. Originally written as a drama, it evolved into a rain-drenched, Polanski-esque character study. The sparse set design and slow, lingering shots coupled with the powerful performances result in palpable tension -- not a film for the faint-hearted. The focus on character in 'Emily' might be a reflection of Matthews' background. The actors are the driving forces in the film -- an approach that results in the personal intensity.
     When asked by Paul Harris about the production's success, Matthews described his Oscar nod as a "huge thrill", citing his cinematographer Joshua Flavell and cast member Roxanne Wilson as being  integral creative contributors.
     This particular intern has a feeling Mr Matthews has an interesting future awaiting him, no matter what the outcome of the Student Oscars will be.

'Emily' will be screening at 1.30pm on Saturday 26th of May, The Astor Theatre as part of SKFF's ' Australia's Top 100 Short Films'