PRESS RELEASE
KEY EVENT DETAILS
What – FLiCKERFEST
When – 20th – 29th January 2023 (Touring Nationally Feb – Oct (50+ dates)
Where – Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Cost- starting from $22 for a session ticket (https://flickerfest.com.au/ticket-info/)
FLiCKERFEST is thrilled to announce the launch of its 2023 festival programme and its return to its home of over 2 decades, the newly revamped Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach, presenting a 10 day festival of incredible, masterful shorts, from the 20th to the 29th of January.
Now in its 32nd year, Flickerfest is Australia’s largest short film competition dedicated to showcasing the very best short films from Australia and around the world, from live action to documentary and animation.
This year Flickerfest will screen 114 inspiring, creative and beautiful crafted shorts from Australia and the world in its Academy® Qualifying competitions, handpicked from over 3200 entries. 64 Australian films are officially selected for the Best of Australian Competition, 37 International films in the Best of International Competition and 13 Documentaries across the Best of Documentary Competition. A further 80 films will also feature across Flickerfest showcase sessions.
Flickerfest’s prestigious Academy® Qualifying Competitions include 38 World Premieres, 82 Australian Premieres and 10 NSW premieres.
Year on year, Flickerfest receives an incredible range of quality entries from at home and across the world; a testimony to the fact that Flickerfest is one of the world’s leading and most respected platforms for short films.
The shorts in competition at Flickerfest are fiercely vying for a number of prestigious, Academy® Qualifying prizes including –
- The Flickerfest Award for Best International Short Film
- The Yoram Gross Award for Best International Animation
- The Panasonic Lumix Award for Best Australian Short Film
- The Flickerfest Award for Best Documentary
Plus a host of other hotly contested prizes, which recognise the various craft areas inherent in making a great short film including the SAE FlickerUp National School Student and Youth competition for filmmakers under 18 and the Rainbow Shorts Competition featuring the best LGBTQI+ films from at home and around the world.
Flickerfest is also home to the ever popular short film showcases including –
- FLiCKERKIDS, short films suitable for children aged 6-12 years and the young at heart
- SHORT LAUGHS, the comedy programme that will have you in stitches
- LOVE BITES, films about love and relationships
- BEST OF INDIGENOUS SHORTS, screening on Survival Day, shining a spotlight on the incredible indigenous talent showcased across our 2023 festival programme.
The 2023 Australian programme will include some incredibly masterful and creative short films. Highlights include the world premieres of ‘Six of One’ starring Isobel Lucas (Transformers, Bosch & Rocket) written and directed by Minka Bleakley and ‘Waves’ starring Susie Porter, filmed locally at Tamarama Beach. Also included is ‘The Fritz’, starring Trevor Jamieson (Storm Boy), plus ‘Too Many Ethnics’ by award winning writer Vonne Patiag, (Here Out West, The Usual Suspects), ‘The Overthrow’ the writing and directorial debut of young Sydney actress Phoebe Wolfe and ‘White Lies’ by FLiCKERFEST alumni, Greg Moran, whose film is full of hilarious cameos from Channel 7 The Morning Show favourites Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur, plus a cheeky look in from Barnaby Joyce.
Flickerfest is also thrilled to present the World premiere of ‘Lean’ starring Nicholas Hope (Bad Boy Bubby, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Scooby Doo, The Drover’s Wife) and Harry Greenwood (The Nightingale, Hacksaw Ridge, Wakefield, Gallipoli) and the Australian premiere of the prestigious Iris prize winner ‘Tarneit,’ written by Elizabeth Packett and directed by John Sheedy, a multi-award winning director whose work has been staged extensively across Australia and whose recent films shine light on LGBTQ+ topics and racial prejudices.
The prestigious International Programme at Flickerfest 2023 takes us from the streets of South America to the ice sheets of Greenland; intertwining culture, hard-hitting truths and dreamlike fantasy. With 37 films from 28 countries, experience the world from the comfort of your Flickerfest chair and visit Réunion, Israel, Sweden, Colombia and everywhere in between, embracing the variety of people, characters and stories that create a unique worldview.
Highlights Of The International Programme, all celebrating their Australian premieres, include ‘Man to Man’, a hard-hitting, emotional rollercoaster by UK director Sheroze Khan starring SAG/Independent Spirit Award-nominated David Harewood MBE (Homeland, Blood Diamond). Plus, ‘Spinning’, another standout UK film, by Sam Spruell (Snow White and the Huntsman), internationally recognised actor turned Writer / Director, who wanted to bring to light how many unsung heroes there are in society supporting the most vulnerable.
From Denmark, Academy-Award winning team Kim Magnusson and Anders Walter share their masterful filmmaking on a journey through the vast Greenlandic landscape in their powerful new drama ‘IVALU’, Whilst Ukrainian Directors Novruz Hikmet and Olena Podolianko collaborated to make ‘It Is Quiet Here’ in March 2022. With their projects interrupted by war, the pair persevered to create a contemporary and intimate drama about the reality for many young couples living their lives in war torn Ukraine today.
Launching on the 20th January with a highlights screening followed by an exclusive after party, Flickerfest’s not to be missed ten day event will again celebrate the world’s best short films back in its much loved home, the newly revamped Bondi Pavilion, screening under the stars and the newly renovated indoor theater, in partnership with Waverley Council. The festival will screen over 200 films across 28 sessions, culminating on the 29th of January in a prestigious awards presentation and closing night celebration. Following the Bondi season, Flickerfest hits the road for a massive, 8-month, national tour of the very best films from the festival. The tour will reach 50+ metro and regional venues across all states, bringing the joy of Flickerfest to the rest of the country!
Flickerfest has been a major launching pad for some of Australia’s and the world’s most celebrated filmmakers. For further information and to secure tickets to the 2023 festival on sale now visit www.flickerfest.com.au
SPECIAL EVENTS
What – FLiCKERFEST Opening night
When – Friday 20th January 2023
Where- Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Key Details – Highlights screening 8:00pm for 8:30pm start, afterparty 10:30pm until late. Limited tickets available.
What – FLiCKERLAB presented by AFTRS
When – Friday 27th Jan
Where – Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Key Details – 10:00am – 5:00pm. A one-day journey from shorts to features – includes workshops and interviews with directors, producers, writers, development agencies, distributors and marketing experts. Speakers include Oscar winning Australian Director George Miller.
What – FLiCKERFEST Closing Night & Awards Ceremony
When – Sunday 29th January, 2021
Where – Bondi Pavillion, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Key Details – 730pm until late. Limited tickets available. Celebrate the end of the festival at the Closing Night and Awards Ceremony. Meet the winning filmmakers, view a selection of the festival’s award-winning films, followed by music and drinks at the panoramic Bondi Pavilion bar
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BEST OF AUSTRALIAN SHORT FILM COMPETITION
This year the Australian competition features 64 Australian films across the Best of Australian Competition, including 32 world premieres and 19 Australian premieres and 12 NSW premieres. 42% female directors will be represented.
SIX OF ONE
Australia | 16min | 2022
WORLD PREMIERE
WRI/DIR: Minka Bleakley
PROD: Yan & Isobel Jones
Starring: Isobel Lucas (Transformers, Bosch & Rocket)
Synopsis: When a young mother is overwhelmed by her new responsibilities, she takes off from her rural-suburban home, leaving her hard-partying husband to pick up the pieces. Set against the dramatic
backdrop of the Nightcap Ranges Northern NSW , Six Of One traverses the disconnect of two new parents who are not prepared for the realities of raising a child.
WAVES
Australia | 2min | 2022
WORLD PREMIERE
WRI: Giles Gartrell-Mills DIR/PROD: Katharina Keil Starring: Susie Porter
Synopsis: Two friends, Sam and Ethel, play a fun game to reconnect at their local beach. IMAGES / EPK
TOO MANY ETHNICS
Australia | 9min | 2022
WORLD PREMIERE
WRI/DIR/PROD: Vonne Patiag (based in Minchinbury, Sydney)
PROD: Marren Smith
Synopsis: The epic quest of three best friends surviving trials of racism, love and friendship in the long line to get into an exclusive nightclub. Trials, which many Sydney-siders have experienced when trying to get into a club, and tribulations so bad they’re laughable. One to see with mates, before you head to the nightclub!
THE FRITZ
Australia | 16min | 2022
WORLD PREMIERE
WRI/DIR: Conor Mercury
PROD: Morgan Wright
Synopsis: Trevor Jamieson (Storm Boy) leads a strong cast of First Nations actors in this weirdly-wonderful comedy. Arriving at a party after being hit by a meteor, Jamieson seeks to confront his brothers about their tumultuous past, but things don’t quite go according to plan. Also featuring Clarence Ryan (Mystery Road) and a cameo from Kamahl.
THE OVERTHROW
Australia | 15min |2022
WORLD PREMIERE
WRI/DIR: Phoebe Wolfe (based in Sydney)
PROD: Lilly Bader
Synopsis: One sweaty Australian summer, two girls, played by Miah Madden (Bali 2002, The Bureau of Magical Things) and Annabel Wolfe (The Unlisted) skate from Sydney to Parliament House in an emission-less climate change protest that tests more than their friendship.
WHITE LIES
Australia | 12min | 2022
WORLD PREMIERE
WRI/DIR/PROD: Greg Moran (based in Sydney)
Synopsis: When his well intentioned lies to get his daughter a scholarship escalate and spiral out of control, Dave has to choose between having money and power, and being a good role model for his daughter. Full of hilarious cameos from Channel 7 Morning Show favourites Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur, plus a cheeky look in from Barnaby Joyce.
TARNEIT
Australia | 22min | 2022
AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE
DIR: John Sheedy (based in St Kilda)
WRI: Elizabeth Packett
PROD: Andre Lima
Synopsis: Winner of the prestigious 2022 Iris Prize, Tarneit tells the story of Tyrone (Calvin Black) and Clinton (Antanhe Zewdu), two Deaf teenagers who, despite their shared sense of neglect, also share a bond and a dream of one day escaping the violence that swirls around them. The story “juxtaposes the old and new, black and white, different abilities, dreams, and reality. It talks about our desire for connection and belonging and our yearning for something better,” says Producer Andre Lima.
LEAN
Australia | 18min | 2022
WORLD PREMIERE
WRI: Conor Mercury
DIR: Ben Golotta
PROD: Morgan Wright
Starring: Nicholas Hope (Bad Boy Bubby, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Scooby Doo, The Drovers Wife) Harry Greenwood (The Nightingale, Hacksaw Ridge, Wakefield, Gallipoli)
Synopsis: After suffering financial ruin, Robert decides to sail a handmade boat to New Zealand. Seemingly to regain the respect of his family. Seeing the lunacy of his ambitions, his son Charlie tries to stop him.
HIGHLIGHTS OF BEST OF INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Flickerfest’s international programme features 37 International Short Films across the best of International Competition including 3 World Premieres, 6 International premieres and 28 Australian Premieres.
MAN TO MAN
UNITED KINGDOM | 19min | 2022
WRI/DIR: Sheroze Khan PROD: Marcus Austin
AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE
Starring: David Harewood MBE (Homeland, Blood Diamond)
Synopsis: A hard-hitting, emotional roller coaster starring SAG nominated David Harewood MBE as Malcum, who brings his son Dion (Selorm Adonu) to a boxing ring after being beaten in a fight outside his school.
IVALU
Denmark | 17min | 2022 WRI/DIR: Anders Walter
PROD: Rebecca Pruzan, Kim Magnusson
AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE
Synopsis: From Oscar-winning Danish production company M&M Productions comes a powerful, emotive film, which takes you on a journey through icy landscapes enhanced by exceptional cinematography. Ivalu is gone. Her little sister is desperate to find her and her father does not care. The vast Greenlandic nature holds secrets. Where is Ivalu…?
IT IS QUIET HERE
Ukraine | 13min | 2022\
WRI/DIR: Olena Podolianko, Novruz Hikmet
PROD: Viktor Shevchenko, Novruz Hikmet, Tom Schreiber, Julian Gerchow
AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE
Synopsis: A contemporary Drama exploring what is now the reality for young couples living their lives in Ukraine. During the first month of the full-scale war in Ukraine, a young couple finds themselves in a hotel in a border town. They agree not to talk about the war for at least one night.
SPINNING
UNITED KINGDOM | 10min | 2022
WRI/DIR: Sam Spruell PROD: Archie Sinclair
AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE
Starring: Jonny Philips (Titanic)
Synopsis: Sam Spruell, internationally recognised actor (Snow White and the Huntsman), turned Writer / Director, brings us his directorial debut. Robert takes his beloved 3.2 litre saloon for a spin in the neighbourhood. But his world is crumbling, and his car is merely a symptom of male vulnerability and denial.
