Every year, Flickerfest gets bigger and better.
In their 31st year, the short film festival has reached a record number of applicants - 3,200 - narrowed down to around 200. “We’re making sure we’ll be showcasing films that are incredibly strong, diverse, fresh, and a strong representation of the next generation of filmmakers,” Festival Director Bronwyn Kidd says.
With world and Australian premieres, the 2022 programme features unique stories with an incredible amount of passion. “It’s a different perspective on the world,” says Bronwyn. “We’re looking for diverse voices telling diverse stories, making us look at the world in a different way. Revealing fresh insights – and entertaining, that’s also key.”
Flickerfest has hit the road for its national tour, and some of that diversity can be seen in the Queensland stretch of the festival. Flickerfest will present a Best of Australian Shorts programme in Brisbane and Nambour. The fresh insights and diverse voices and stories are certainly present in the event’s programme in the likes of ‘Object Of Life’, from director Jack Parry, which puts a fresh spin on Greek Mythology and society’s love of things, while something like ‘You And Me, Before And After’ is a bit more edgy, a story of two sisters who learn to like each other as they get their first tattoos, directed by Madeleine Gottlieb.
Enter our competition to win a double pass to Flickerfest in Brisbane.
Indigenous storytelling is certainly present, with a plethora of films on offer, too. ‘Wanmari’, directed by Jake Duczynski and written by Karen Rogers, sees a Ngalakgan woman from Ngukurr, NT, gone fishin’. . . Or trying to, as her family thwart her plans. Back in January ‘Wanmari’ was featured at Flickerfest’s Bondi event, in the Best Of Indigenous programme.
Brisbane will also present a Best Of EU Showcase, while Nambour attendees will be treated additionally to a Best Of International Shorts programme.
'Wanmari'
“I think I really wanted to give people a journey. In the Australian programmes, it’s really beautiful, heartwarming, engaging, insightful stories,” Bronwyn says. “Uplifting, stories of hope, I think that’s really important at the moment.”
After 31 years, Bronwyn is certain Flickerfest has had the opportunity to influence many filmmakers. “That’s been fantastic,” she says, “and there are returning filmmakers we’ve had in the past.
“People coming to Flickerfest should know there’s been so much incredible thought gone into every film, and the placement of every film. The journey you’ll go on is a big part of our vision and focus, to give people these wonderful experiences with short films and take them on a journey across a range of themes and into that real depth of human experience.”
“I love ‘Close Ties To Home Country’,” Bronwyn says. “The actress who made this film is such a talent, such a unique voice. That film really stood out for me, as did Timothee the pug! It’s pretty hilarious, it’s got a beautiful soulfulness to it.”
Flickerfest takes place at Brisbane (Palace James Street Cinemas) 10-11 March and Nambour (Majestic Cinemas) 11-12 March. It also hits HOTA Gold Coast 23 March, The J Noosa 31 March and Empire Theatre Toowoomba 22 April.
