Shortlist for the Very Short Film Festival

Tasmanian-led Very Short Film Festival has announced the shortlist for the national competition.

11 shorts across two categories are set to be unveiled to the public in two weeks’ time.

The mentors and judges are award-winning actress Marta Dusseldorp who has worked extensively in theatre, film and television; artist Rocco Fazzari, well-known for his cartoons and illustrations in the Fairfax press; writer and editor Leta Keens; and Leah Purcell, one of Australia’s most eminent cultural figures.

The shortlist for the Open and Junior Categories are (in no particular order):

Open Category (22 years and over)

Fenella Edwards and Brendan Kays: Claire (Tas); Ainsley Halbmeijer: The Hotline (Vic); Thomas Herbert: Complete and Utter Garbage (Vic); Matthew Newton and Anna Brozek: They say I’m a terrorist (Tas); Eva Justine Torkkola: Bound (Vic)

Junior Category (21 years of age and under)

Olivia Buonopane: Sweet Dreams (Age 21, ACT); Fletcher Kamino: Little Tassie – The Librarian (Age 14, Tas); Flynn Kamino: Little Tassie – The Architect (Age 12, Tas); Chloe Kealy: Chloe’s World (Age 16, Tas); Jongmin Lee: BRICKS (Age 17, Qld); Luca Yi: The Waiting Room (Age 16, NSW)

Highly Commended

Open: Eloïse Boutry, Ursula Woods, Kapil Hemudan Gadhvi, Alex Thomas, Sarah Badcock, Oscar Lush, Kim Nolan, Grace Roberts, Mitchell Fairbank, Judith Peterson, Grant Thompson, Victoria Haberley, Larissa Camilleri

Junior: Nina Daos Kadati, George Odgers, Lawrence Ellis, Alana Larson, Issach Mann.

Organisers describe the event as ‘no ordinary film festival’. One of the positives of the pandemic era, they say, has been that many of us have found the time, and the urge, to explore our hitherto unknown or overlooked creative sides. This national competition sprung out of the world we’re currently living in, encouraging all sorts of stories to be told and shared.

“What an enormous pleasure it has been watching all the very short films submitted for the festival,” said actor and judge Marta Dusseldorp.

“Smart, engaging, thoughtful stories – full of intrigue, heart and connection and celebrating this complex life. Celebrating this complex life and nodding to our beautiful Tasmania. Looking forward to gathering at Spring Bay Mill for this Very Short Film Festival visual feast.”

The eventual winners will be announced at the Premiere Screening Event on Friday May 21 at Spring Bay Mill in Tasmania. Cash prizes will be awarded and mentorships given. Award-winning writer, musician and radio broadcaster, Casey Bennetto will MC, and Jay Jarome Trio will provide the music at the after party.

The festival has been put together by the multi-arts organisation Artology and Spring Bay Mill, a nascent performance and conference venue on the east coast at the site of the former Triabunna woodchip mill.

“Creativity is our most valuable human resource, and in these times of climate change and a pandemic, we need solutions that are out of the box,” said Anna Cerneaz, Managing Director of Artology.

“Opportunities to play, to think, to create are essential to our future. With this festival, we want people to be inspired and let their imaginations go wild.”

Very Short Film Festival – Gala Premiere & Announcement of Winning Films

When: 5:30pm, Friday 21 May 2021

Where: Spring Bay Mill, 555 Freestone Point Road, Triabunna Tasmania

Tickets: $15-$25 includes a glass of something Tassie and lovely. Bookings here.

Livestream from 6pm: VeryShortFilmFestival.com