Flickerfest 2017 hits the screens at Tower Cinema on February 18. We caught up with festival director, Bronwyn Kidd to chat about the films on show this year and the importance of a festival like Flickerfest.
1 – Flickerfest has been around for 26 years. Firstly, congratulations. Secondly… What have you learnt over 26 years that keeps Flickerfest relevant for new audiences as well as dedicated fans
Thanks its great to see the festival going from strength to strength each year. I think the key to Flickerfest longevity is programming creative, inspiring and entertaining shorts for all audiences. One things I’ve learnt as a festival director over the past 20 years and that keeps Flickerfest relevant for both new and returning audiences is that audiences want to be entertained and to connect over great cinema no matter where in Australia they are. So each year our focus goes into bringing the best of the best short films to audiences with films on our tour they can relate to and enjoy.
2 – Does someone view all 2400 entries?
We have a large volunteer team of film industry members that view all of the thousands of entries, then a small programming team including myself curate the final films in competition this year there were 122 films selected from the large entry field. It’s a massive task and it takes many months so we work on the curation of the festival year round.
3 – Tell us about the entry from Triple J radio host Veronica Milsom…
The Record World Largest Family is hilarious and based on the true story of a Russian woman who had over 63 children and a Guiness Book Of Records place for the world’s largest family. The film is written by and stars Veronica Milsom, who as an Australian mother of 63 boys is going for a girl to add to her large family and also to break the Guinness Book Of Records, its loads of fun!.
4 – Tower Cinema has become an icon in Newcastle. How important is a theatre to the reception an audience gives a film?
I have fond memories of Tower cinemas and remember going there myself as a teenager so its always huge fun to be returning there again with Flickerfest for our 4th year in Newcastle. Flickerfest is a unique experience and The Tower has great personality, so as our home in Newcastle it’s a great fit.
5 – What can we learn about ourselves as Australian from Flickerfest 2017?
I think the programmes certainly reflects our very Australian sense of humour and also reflects that in the most part Australia is a very diverse country and very tolerant of different cultures and ways of life. That diversity is reflected in this years programme in a fun and engaging way.
6 – What have you personally learnt from taking this film festival around Australia?
I’ve learnt that we are a nation that loves great stories and very much wants to discover and support our next generations of film making talent. From the cities, to the bush, to the coast across our 52 venue national tour we share a love of the diversity of Australia and sharing the stories of people we know or know of like us on the screen and that our audiences far and wide really embrace great Australian film.
7 – It must be like choosing between your children, but if there’s one movie not to miss at Flickerfest 2017 – what is it?
All the films are favourites as they are highlights of the Bondi festival but if I have to choose a personal favourite of this years Best Of Australian programme in Newcastle it is The 11Oclock starring and written by Josh Lawson. It’s really clever and funny and won our award for Best Script at Flickerfest 2017 in Bondi. I also have to throw in The Record Worlds Largest Family similarly for being purely delightful.
For more information about Flickerfest visit the festival’s website.
