SHORT FILM EXTRAVAGANZAS
By Dave Roberts
The South West is growing, as a venue for everything. The long weekend just past was a great illustration. As an example of dedication to knowing things that we should tell you, the South West Life team took in a great time at a micro brewery, stayed at an inexpensive resort, reviewed something much more up market, swam at one of the world’s great beaches, ate fish and chips, ate wood fired pizza, attended a music festival, and saw the showing of a short film festival. Did we mention wine? The things we do for you.
The short film festival was one of the highlights. Madfish Winery in Cowaramup hosted the South West showing of the world's largest short film festival, Sony Tropfest, on a big screen under the stars.
As a major sponsor of Sony Tropfest 2008, MadFish Winery welcomed guests to experience an evening of great short film entertainment under the stars in a unique open-air winery setting. Tropfest has been a major highlight on the Australian film industry calendar since 1993 and showcases the work of some of the world's most talented short film makers.
From more than 700 entrants, 16 of the best short films will be selected by a celebrity panel to headline the 2008 festival. "Like MadFish Wines, Sony Tropfest promotes fresh, spirited enjoyment. It is a festival that celebrates the creativity of Australians and can be enjoyed with family and friends.” Did we have fun? You betcha! We’ve spoken to Madfish and we will bring you details of 2009 in enough time for a few more to attend.
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That leads to the next thing we can tell you. Tropfest has been going for 15 years and is established as a major event. Not far from the venue another short film festival, Margaret River Shorts, is developing and growing under our noses.
Brad Fergusson loves short film. As an actor trained at the Victorian College of the Arts, he’d been in front of the camera for a number of them. One of the things about the art form is the accessibility. Film makers can get a project together and tell their story on a very small budget. Some of the finalists will likely demonstrate that this year (as they have in the past), with films making the final screening that don’t show the production finesse that big studios and big budgets can achieve. Just the same, expect to see ideas and passion that comes from artists doing it because they’ve got something to say.
Arriving back in Australia after teaching overseas, Brad happened upon the South West while catching up with family, and fell in with a bunch of friends who have made Margaret River home for him. He looked at what was and wasn’t happening in the region and came upon the idea of a short film festival. The first one was held in 2005 and was, as you’d guess, a small scale affair, but it attracted local entries, and local audiences, and support, and was a great success. A festival was born.
How was it a great success, I asked him. “Well everyone left the venue talking at 100 miles an hour, the atmosphere was great and there was a sense we’d done something really worthwhile.” Financial success is important, but at South West Life we get excited when we find someone whose measures and values include fun and encouragement. The rest will come, we’re sure.
The format is much the same, though Brad, as Director, is still working on some final details and won’t tell me just what you’ll see when you go to the Margaret River Community centre from March 28 – 30. He will tell me that from 6pm on the 30th, the format is that you’ll see the best 12 films, and will be involved in judging AT LEAST the best audience reaction award. You’ll be right there for the announcement of the awards.
Other awards include Best film, Best South West Film, Best Surf/ Sports film, Best Grommet Film (by under 18 year old film makers), and Best Audience Reaction.
Brad’s aims are to provide a platform to show stories from round the world and the South West, so everyone gets an appreciation of culture around the world. He also wants to foster and develop the film industry in the South West. Five prizes, a showing that’ll expose film makers to a real, paying, interested audience (more than 150 last year), and recognition by sponsors all contributes to this and it seems like progress is coming.
Brad’s in this for the long haul. The festival doesn’t make money yet, and really, it’s not Cannes, but he wants to be one of the premier short film festivals in the world. Growth and fun are in place, and determination and goodwill are plentiful. We’re just excited to see someone making the dream real. Pencil the weekend of 28 – 30 March in for Margaret River, and if you’ve got some interest in being a film maker, remember you’ve still got til the 15th of march to get an entry in. The films will be judged on the night by local southwest arts and film making professionals. It is a festival so the Margaret River Cultural Centre will be transformed into the Margaret River Shorts Club. There will be a bar open, with previous winners and exhibitions as well as live music as part of the entertainment on the night.
March 2008
