FORUM FEVER: Part 1

In 2011 SKFF asked filmmaking enthusiasts what they'd like to see more of at the Festival. The overwhelming response to this question was MORE FORUMS! So the wonderful program developers answered with double the forums - which address subjects from music video production to pitching to editing and beyond.

The first in the series is 'Pitch Clinic'...  

It's a well-known fact that pitching an idea to funding bodies or production companies can be very intimidating. To guide film practitioners through the process of pitching, from emerging talents to established auteurs, the Pitch Clinic's panel of industry experts will assess five shortlisted pitches and give feedback. 

If you've got an idea for a film project, we encourage you to submit a one page outline to the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre at Victoria University, email: ESP@vu.edu.au

Wednesday, May 23  

6pm to 7.30pm 

  

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

TRIVIA WINNERS

The guys from 'The Bazura Project' movie show (ABC TV) won, in a display of Tarantino-esque cinematic knowledge.

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'   

Roger Corman: King of the B’s

If you’re a mainstream movie fanatic, you might be surprised to find out that one of the most influential people in Hollywood is the prolific master of B-movies, Roger Corman.

‘Who? What? Why?’ asks a man wearing a ketchup-stained Transformers t-shirt. Well, Transformers fan, Corman is one of the great pioneers of modern cinema. Without his groundbreaking efforts in guerrilla filmmaking and expansion of genre pictures into adult territory, the first blockbusters – Jaws and Star Wars – might have been made differently, or not exist at all.

In a career spanning over 50 years, Corman has produced and/or directed around 400 films, including a series of Edgar Allen Poe adaptations, the ‘first LSD movie’ The Trip, and a bikie movie starring Nancy Sinatra and Peter Fonda (Wild Angels). His influence on directors such as Martin Scorsese helped bring counter-culture into the light, and out of the shadows of post-war US conservatism.

Another indelible mark he made on the cinematic landscape was his distribution of art house films to the American masses through his small studio ‘New World Pictures’. Akira Kurasawa and Ingmar Bergman (among others) finally gained exposure and the potential of art house was recognised by other industry movers and shakers. 

But it wasn’t all subtle and arty cinemaaahh. Exploitation films of every variety, brimming with sexual liberation and advocating civil rights, were produced by Corman – a fact not lost on Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, who recently paid homage to the legend in their ‘Grind House’ double feature. 

 ‘Corman At Ya’ is the late night showcase of Corman’s very best bits – a collation of ‘B’ cinema in ‘A’ form. Compiled by Mark Hartley (director of brilliant ‘Ozploitation’ documentary Not Quite Hollywood) and Jamie Blanks (who recently remade the classic Aussie thriller Long Weekend), trailer after trailer will inspire you to raid garage sales in search for trashy treasure. 

For some interesting facts about Corman’s impact on modern Hollywood, check out this link: http://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/12/roger-corman/all/1

What? Corman At Ya!

When? Friday 25^th of May – 11pm 

Where? The Astor Theatre

Check the St Kilda Film Festival website for updates on ticketing information in early May!

News Update?!!?

Hilarious and interesting feature articles are coming, but for the meantime here are a few bits of St Kilda Film Festival-related news…

‘The Palace’ Victory

Congratulations to one of this year’s Top 100 films ‘The Palace’, which has won big at the South Australian Screen Awards, taking home four awards including Best Short Film and Best Director for Anthony Maras. The 1970s Cyprus-set drama is an intense short about home invasion and confronting enemy forces face-to-face and will surely be a highlight of this year’s program. Intrigued to see what all the buzz is about…

Campfire Inspiration

Campfire Film Festival is to be held on May 12^th at ACMI. With an emphasis on philosophy and spirituality it’s aimed at high school students, teachers and film practitioners alike. Featured films include an anti-bullying animation and Chris Lilley-style mockumentary.

For those who are hungry for a taste of festival atmosphere before SKFF, check out the website at http://www.campfire.org.au/cff2012

Oscar Loves Emily

Earlier in the week, Festival director Paul Harris got an exciting email informing us here at SKFF HQ, that Top 100 short film ‘Emily’ is up for a Student Academy Award (Oscar Junior). Although not as renowned as its older brother, Oscar Junior has helped launch the careers of industry greats Spike Lee and Robert Zemeckis.

We congratulate director Ben Matthews and look forward to him and all other filmmakers in competition for the Top 100. It’s going to be tough to separate all the strong entries this year.

Finally…

The trailer is finished and is simply beautiful. Be among the first and see it below ;D

Lots of Kind Cheers and Sincere Regards

<Insert Witty Pseudonym>

LE TRAILER: