filmfestivalguide

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Lift Off Film Festival

Kicking off on Wednesday the Lift Off Film Festival hits Dendy Cinema in Newtown. Included in the programme is  new Aussie film Zelos which has been officially selected out of 2500+ global entrants to screen.

Lift-Off currently has festivals in Manchester, New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Tokyo, London and Sydney. All films screened are scored by the audience, and winners are given the opportunity to pursue their film careers in Australia and overseas.

 Zelos is an independent Australian dramedy, made with a majority female crew - including writer, director, producers and camera department. It was filmed on a low budget through a mixture of self-financing, government funding, private investment and fundraising, all of which we organised through our own production company.

For tickets and more info visit: https://www.dendy.com.au/events/lift-off

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Interview: The Gateway Bug Director Johanna B. Kelly & Producer Cameron Marshad

What inspired you to tell this story? How do you find out about this bug/food revolution? 

Johanna: Over brunch an old friend (main character of The Gateway Bug) and marine biologist, Tyler Isaac, was describing his Masters research at UCSB on the food drought set to hit humanity in the next 50 years and Earth’s overfishing problems. Rather terrifyingly, animal agriculture is now responsible for 80% of fresh water use, 91% of Amazon destruction, and 18% of greenhouse gas emissions (projected to increase 80% by 2050). We’ve wiped out 90% of the ocean’s top predators and at current fishing rates all the world’s fisheries will have collapsed by 2048. 

In that same time Earth's population is predicted to reach 9 billion. In 2013 the UN cautioned that food must thus increase 70% by 2050 but warn that's impossible with our current unsustainable practices. Nevertheless 4 years later we still harvest wild fish to feed the farmed fish that are supposed to reduce our reliance on wild fish, components in dog food, our food and so on which is just illogical. Tyler’s research aimed to replace currently unsustainable feed systems with insects. 

Insects release far less ammonia and methane than pigs and cattle, take up a lot less space and water, and pound for pound provide a lot more protein fibre, iron, calcium and essential amino acids. His investigations also echoed the now infamous UN report that suggested an effective strategy for feeding humanity in the future could lie in entomophagy (the technical term for eating insects), and by the end of brunch we realized we had to make a doc about this fascinating topic. 

Cameron: After that first brunch meeting where we learned all about the effects of our current agricultural practices on the environment, we were totally enamored by the idea that a) insects are a possible solution and b) not that many people know much about it. 

Did you come across any anti-bug movements? 

Johanna: No not really, the real deterrent for Westerners and entomophagy is the ‘yuck factor’ and ingrained cultural taboos around eating insects. Some vegans aren’t that keen on eating animals obviously, but once they understand that ultimately our goal is to reduce meat consumption overall, they tend to be more understanding of the movement. 

 Cameron: There were a few people on Facebook and Instagram who commented on photos, events and links we posted and they had an anti-meat sentiment. We didn’t bother responding to them, as we think everyone is entitled to their opinions, but by discussing insects as a food option, we’re ultimately considering eating less meat. 

 What was it like being close to the roller coaster events for Kevin from Big Cricket Farms?  Johanna: It was intense! We don’t want to give away too much but obviously you become friends with the people whose lives you’re documenting and to see anyone go through what he did is rough. It was also terrifying at the world premiere to watch him in the audience watch his own story unravel before his eyes and we were concerned about whether he felt comfortable with seeing everything up on the big screen but after the screening he came up and told us it was really cathartic to watch and now having come out the other side, special to have that period of his life documented.   Cameron: The BCF/Youngstown story is a hard one to stomach, but as Johanna mentioned, we won’t reveal too much in this interview. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to document what I consider a microcosm of what’s happening in communities all over the US - many people are facing the consequences of dying industries and environmental degradation, so it was a unique insight into something I may not have witnessed at home in New York.  Where do you see the bug / food innovation in 10 years time?  Johanna: I see food innovation as hitting a real turning point in the next 10 years. As our film establishes, change is inevitable and urgent, from global warming to the obesity epidemic and food wars, our current agricultural system is completely unsustainable. Just like climate change has become a problem now being addressed on a global scale, so too will our food system, and the sooner we address it, the less damage to recover from.  Cameron: Specifically for bug products, I think we’ll see more of the typical food products we eat (bread, pasta, “burgers”, tofu, “chicken” nuggets, etc) integrate insects as additional protein. Take a look at C-Fu Foods, they’re making cricket bolognese sauce in which you can’t tell the beef is actually cricket protein. 

Johanna: There’s also a packet pasta product by a company called Bugsolutely that we cook up in the film that can be used just like regular packet pasta and closer to home an Aussie company called Grilo protein up in Byron are making protein bars using Entomo Farms products (another star in our film). The great thing about Grilo is that they see the sustainable manufacture and production of these edible insect consumer products as a holistic project and are simultaneously developing biodegradable packaging to really round out the sustainable side to their company.  

What challenges did you come across in filming?

Johanna: Indie filmmaking comes with a special set of challenges from low budgets to reduced access to resources and staffing, but necessity really is the mother of invention and I don’t think we would have created the same film with a bigger budget so we’re pretty happy with the strategies we developed to combat these challenges. From the extra effort expended sourcing primarily public domain archival to entrusting important crew roles to young, emerging filmmakers, I feel like our learning curve was steep but rewarding. Cameron: I’d say the greatest challenge was our low budget. We were shooting in between other film jobs, using our own equipment, traveling very long distances and staying in awful hotels or friends couches. If we were funded from the get go, we wouldn’t have faced problems like our small cameras overheating in the Austin Texas heat for example. Johanna - you moved from Australia to New York - as a filmmaker, what differences have you noticed in the industry in the two countries?   Johanna: I actually wasn’t a filmmaker in Australia - I have a design background and was an exhibition designer at the National Gallery of Victoria in Australia for 6 years before moving to the USA to follow my passion to become a filmmaker. I transitioned into the art dept on indie film sets upon landing and became a Production Designer after my first feature as Set Decorator (I have a Masters in Interior Design), so had a pretty steep learning curve on set. Trial by fire if you will! Adjusting from Melbourne to NYC had peaks and troughs as any expat can tell you but America is a truly exceptional place to be a filmmaker, there are just so many talented people out here and so many productions going on at any given point in time that I’ve encountered countless generous souls and inspiring spirits who keep the indie film industry running on pretty much the smell of an oily rag. The low wages in America are challenging but do allow more work to occur as the result is lower budgets for films (and raising capital for production is pretty challenging!), so there’s a give and take that negotiated carefully can be a great thing. I’ve certainly both benefited and totally suffered because of it! What are you both working on next - are you going to be sticking with environmental films? Johanna: We’ve got a few films in pre-production currently, one is environmentally focused, one more NYC focused, a couple of narrative features in development and even a TV show so keeping pretty busy! We’re very keen to continue spreading the message from The Gateway Bug so looking into collaborations with educational institutions to develop stronger engagement with students and communities to create awareness around diet and food infrastructure and how people can get involved in very personal ways to help improve their local environment and diets. 

Interested in more on The Gateway Bug? Check out the film’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Details and tickets to the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival screening here.

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Volunteer at the 2017 Sydney Film Festival

Volunteer applications are now open for the Sydney Film Festival - you have until the 19th of May. Network, watch films, make new friends - Jump to it! http://www.sff.org.au/support/volunteer

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St Kilda Film Festival 2017

The St Kilda Film Festival kicks off this month. 

Highlights include

Top 100 Short Film Competition 

The Eleven O’Clock – featuring Josh Lawson and directed by Derrin Seale;

Fish With Legs, staring Frank Woodley and Barry Otto;

Big City, starring CJ Fortuna and Gurvinder Atwal and directed by Jordan Bond and Lachlan Ryan;

Eaglehawk, directed by Shannon Murphy and starring Tilda Cobham-Harvey and Ryan Corr.

SoundKILDA – Music videos from the likes of Courtney Barnett, Client Liaison, Ball park Music, Lisa Mitchell, Dena Amy and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.  The Big Picture – One of Australia’s biggest free filmmaker development programs complete with forums, workshops and couch conversations with leading industry professionals.  Virtual Reality (VR) Cinema – An addition to the St Kilda Film Festival program that offers a unique viewing experience for audience members.

https://www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/

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20th Spanish Film Festival

The 20th Spanish Film Festival kicks off this evening in Sydney then tours nationally until the 17 May. 

Natalia De Molina, the star of the festival’s opening night film Kiki, Love to Love, will be this year’s festival guest. 

The festival will close with The Trip to Spain, directed by Michael Winterbottom and starring the Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon.

The festival will showcase 39 films including Summer 1993 (ESTIU 1993) from Catalan director Carla Simón, which was the critical breakout at this year’s Berlinale, taking out the Best First Feature prize. 

Families have not been forgotten in the program with Ozzy (please note this animation screens in Spanish with no subtitles) and the live action Zip and Zap and the Marble Gang for older kids. 

This year’s retrospective pays tribute to Ana Belen and the program will include three of Ana’s earlier films: Torment (Tormento - Pedro Olea, 1974), Demons in the Garden  (Demonios en el Jardin)  - Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón 1982) and The House of Bernarda Alba  (La Casa De Barnarda Alba  - Mario Camus, 1987), all screening in 35mm courtesy of the Instituto Cervantes. 

The Spanish Film Festival will take place nationally from late April in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane and Hobart. 

For full program and ticketing details  visit www.spanishfilmfestival.com 

NSW Tues 18 April – Sun 7 May Palace Verona, Palace Norton Street ACT Wed 19 April –Sun 7 May Palace Electric VIC Thurs 20 April – Sun 7 May Palace Cinema Como, Kino Cinemas, Palace Westgarth & The Astor Theatre WA Thurs 27 April – Wed 17 May Cinema Paradiso  QLD Thurs 27 April – Sun 14 May Palace Barracks & Palace Centro SA Wed 26 April - Sun 14 May Palace Nova Eastend TAS Thurs 11 May – Wed 17 May State Cinema

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Entries Open / CLIPPED

The music video festival CLIPPED has opened submission for its annual film clip competition. 

 CLIPPED Music Video Festival is dedicated to promoting and celebrating the best of Australia and New Zealand’s artists in the field, and provides a platform for bands and filmmakers to showcase their work. 

 CLIPPED invites filmmakers and bands to submit their clips, which will be judged in categories such as Animation, Cinematography, Directing, and Editing. Judges include industry leaders and innovators from Australia and overseas, and will be announced in the coming weeks. A

s well as the competition, this one day event includes an interactive music video exhibition, allowing more work to be showcased outside the category finalists. CLIPPED will also be hosting discussion panels with key speakers and invited guests, VJ sets, premieres, award screening sessions, and a new feature to the 2017 event - industry workshops. 

 Only music videos released or to be released after January 2016 are eligible for consideration. CLIPPED is also looking for submissions or applications to premiere new music videos live at the event. 

 Entries from Australia and overseas are welcome as there are plenty of showcase opportunities. Submissions are open now until May 1st 2017. 

 More info

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Entries Open / SUFF 2017

Entries are open for the 2017 Sydney Underground Film Festival.

The Sydney Underground Film Festival is dedicated to nurturing an alternative film culture through the promotion of independent and experimental films. The festival seeks to support filmmakers (especially those who operate outside established film industry infrastructures) by providing a platform for exhibition, exposure and critical discussion.

For a $5 promo code include a rejection letter from  another film festival for your film. more info http://suff.com.au/submit.html

Entries close 21 April 2017.

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Entries open / The Big Pineapple

The inaugural Big Pineapple film competition is here. Designed to help overcome gender disparity in the Australian film industry, The Big Pineapple will support female-led emerging filmmakers to produce feature length films. 

 The Big Pineapple is an ideas-led competition. Teams are invited to submit an initial one-page pitch document (synopsis). The best and brightest ideas will be selected for further assessment and development. The winner will be awarded a $50,000 cash prize to write and produce their feature film, and will receive substantial industry support including a distribution safety net through the Festival’s channels. Key Dates: Now: open call for one page submissions March 31st: Last day to submit April 13th: Finalists announced April 30th: The Big Pineapple winner announced (at FFS Festival) June 2017 – December 2017: winner produces film January 2018: first cut viewing February 2018: post production begins April 2018: Production premiere at FFS Festival 2018 If you’re a filmmaker with a great idea for a feature, The Big Pineapple could be your big break. Go to https://www.forfilmssake.org/thebigpineapple/ to enter.

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Entries open / Monster Fest

Monster Fest, Australia’s premier genre film festival celebrating cult, horror and the fantastic, returns for its seventh edition November 22-26, 2017 

Submissions are now open for Features, Short Films and Expanded Cinema Projects, with an Early Bird Deadline of April 21, a Regular Deadline of June 16 and a final, Extended Deadline of August 4, 2017. 

 Founded in 2011, Monster Fest is a genre film festival that showcases films and events that fall into the broadly-defined categories of horror, science fiction, action, crime, noir, animation, dark drama, black comedy, gothic western, erotica and more. 

Submissions for Monster Fest 2017 can be processed via Film Freeway or Without a Box. Details and submission guidelines are available at www.monsterfest.com.au/submit

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Entries open / Antenna Documentary Film Festival

Antenna is excited to announce that submissions for the 2017 festival are now open. The festival accepts Australian and international documentaries of all subject matter and styles. Now seven years old, Antenna is one of the country’s premier showcase for local and international non-fiction films. 

The festival will have three competitions, helping to bring recognition and exposure to some of the great documentaries that are being produced today, locally and internationally.  Submission Categories International Feature Competition Australian Feature Competition Australian Shorts Competition

Submission Deadline

Early Bird 13 March, 2017

Regular Deadline 1 April, 2017

Late Deadline 8 May, 2017

more info http://antennafestival.org/submit-film/

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Entries open / CinefestOZ Film Prize

Entries are now open for the CinefestOZ Film Prize, to be awarded during the CinefestOZ Film Festival, in the Margaret River region of Western Australia. This $100,000 Film Prize is awarded to an Australian feature film for excellence in filmmaking.

CinefestOZ is also calling for submissions for the Short Film selection as a part of this year’s Film Program. This short film submission process is an exciting opportunity for Australian filmmakers to showcase their short form productions and offer further film diversity to the festival audience.

Filmmakers wishing to submit a film that is ineligible for the Film Prize may submit in the General Features category, a category open to Australian and Australian co-production feature films.

Entries close 2 June 2017

for more info https://cinefestoz.com/7789-2/

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Entries Open / Arab Film Festival

 The Arab Film Festival are open for entries for their August/September 2017 festival. The film can be any genre as long as two of the key creatives (writer / director / producer) are from an Arabic speaking background. The Arab Film Festival Australia (AFFA) aims to showcase stories emerging from diverse Arabic speaking cultures to all Australian audiences that reflect the complexity and diversity of Arab experiences. Furthermore we aim to address the (mis)representations of Arab culture through film by providing critical spaces and give exposure to alternative representations of Arab culture. Deadline: Friday 3 March 2017. You can apply online at: http://arabfilmfestival.com.au

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Green Foot Flicks Youth Film Festival / Entries close 17 Feb

Knox City Council Youth Services are looking for short films from young film makers aged 10-25 years, who live, work, study or have a connection to Knox. Submit your film now to be in the running to win prizes and become a celebrity on the green carpet at Green Foot Flicks Youth Film Festival on Wednesday 5 April 2017. 

 Films are due by Friday 17 February 2017 and need to be no longer than 10 minutes and appropriate for a family friendly audience. 

 Finalist will be selected by a panel of young people on the Knox Youth Events Crew who plan and run the youth film festival event every year. 

 For full details or to download an application pack knox.vic.gov.au/greenfoot or contact Kate Clark tel: 92988550 or kate.clark@knox.vic.gov.au

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Coming Out / Mardi Gras Film Festival

The documentary Coming Out  will have a free all ages screening at the Mardi Gras Film Festival on the Saturday 25th February.

“Coming Out is a brave and intimate documentary in which Alden Peters records, in detail, his coming out to his close friends and family, and all the emotions that come along with that process. It’s impossible not to live each moment with Alden as we witness every minute reaction from everyone he tells.

For any queer person who has ever come out, this film will cause both heartwarming and toe-curling flashbacks. Adding a new perspective, the documentary also explores the role of the internet in modern coming out stories. Featuring several YouTuber’s coming out videos and framed around Alden’s own searches and activity online, we become strongly aware of how the internet can be both a welcoming and threatening public space for LGBTIQ people.”

Free but reserve your seat!

Filmmaker Guest: director Alden Peters

Followed by a Coming Out on Screen panel featuring Coming Out director Alden Peters, and YouTubers Logan Byrnes (Logan’s Laundry), Natalia (HeyImNatalia), and Raynne Rasha (LetItRaynne).

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Entries Open | Benalla Shorts national film competition

The third Benalla Shorts national film competition will be held on the 8 April 2017 - during the Wall 2 Wall arts weekend in Benalla. 

 Cash prizes* will be awarded in the following categories: THE JUDGES AWARD ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD STUDENT AWARD PEOPLES CHOICE  The film maker may enter many films across all genre and these must be suitable for audiences MA 15+. Films must be no longer than 10 minutes including title & credits.  Entries close 28 Feb 2017 FREE to enter More info www.benallashorts.com

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Entries Open | St Kilda Film Festival

Entries are now open for the 2017 St Kilda Film Festival with a chance to share in a $50,000 prize pool, including $10,000 cash for Best Short. 

Accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the St Kilda Film Festival is an Academy Awards® qualifying event, with award-winning films eligible for consideration in the Short Film Awards AND Documentary Short sections of the Oscars®.

Entries close: 27 Jan 2017

More info