Flickerfest 2012

Flickerfest turned 21 on Friday, and like any 21st birthday, the party was big. The extended family all showed up; there were speeches, drinks, music, and one or two very special gifts.

Flickerfest is simply about excellence in short films, nothing else; entry is open to anyone around the world. This has meant that the selection of entries is always beautifully diverse, and grows in number every year, presumably keeping the quality of selected films for screening consistently high. As a result, festival Director Bronwyn Kidd and her dedicated crew have been rewarded with recognition from some esteemed filmmakers and prominent organisations, such as the Academy Awards and BAFTA.

In fact, Flickerfest is Australia's only short film festival to be Academy Award recognised. Indeed, John Bloom, one of the governors of the Academy Awards, travelled from the US to Bondi to speak at the opening night, praising the festival for its richness, and its dedication to the art form of short film.

When finally the theatre darkened and the films rolled, yet another 21st birthday treat was unveiled: Carl Gottleib, screenwriter of the cult hit Jaws films, gave a video welcome specially prepared for Flickerfest. This was followed by his own short film, created way back in 1976, starring a very young, big-haired Steve Martin! The Absent Minded Waiter was a fantastic comedy starter, but also a fascinating nostalgic gem – the picture had that fuzzy, distinctly 70s colouring, and a certain flavour to the acting and humour; nothing like the pristine, polished pictures we're used to these days.

Surprisingly, film number two was rather a letdown. Fish and Chips, a spoof take on Junior Masterchef was a hilarious concept, and was actually made well with some great one liners. However, the main premise was built around the fact that a ten-year-old Pauline Hanson was one of the contestants. The jokes about “Please explain”, “I don't like it” and Hanson's belief that “working in a fish and chip shop” gave her political qualifications were tired, unoriginal old jokes. Overall the film was cringe-worthily out of date. Being 2012, there was nothing clever or politically bold about it. It was truly unfortunate, as it was clear that a talented crew were behind this – if only their efforts had been put towards a better script! This film was the embarrassing 21st birthday mishap that will best be quickly forgotten.

Luckily though, the good stuff was quickly restored. Swimsuit 46 was a melancholy, subtitled film made with love. Beautiful scenes of Belgium and poignant music combined to tell the tale of Chantal, a 12-year-old girl with a passion for swimming, and a mission to raise enough money to buy herself a new pair of goggles. A task easier said than done when you’re too young to work, and your family won’t help out.

Bear was pure brilliance. Nash Edgerton set his black humour short story in Australian suburbia. Its simplicity worked splendidly; the scenery was beautiful, and the jokes ripped straight through your gut. Brick Novax's Diary was a hilarious Thunderbirds-inspired film. Another opening night treat, this was a Sundance-winning film by revered filmmaker Matt Piedmont. Brick Novax, a ladies’ man who conquered just about everything that matters in the western world – space travel, Hollywood, the business world and music – records his memoirs in a seedy motel, drinking whiskey and smoking cigarettes. He reminisces about his mo, his women, taking drugs and generally being a badass. One filmmaker at the screening quite rightly suggested this had enough material to potentially have been chopped up into a miniseries.

Bad Night for the Blues was a charming retelling of a young Liverpudlian man, Chris, having night out with his obnoxious Aunty Glad. She doles out advice such as “You’ll have to lose that accent if you want to get ahead in life,” and says she's “not really drinking tonight” but then proceeds to get plastered at the annual Conservatives Club Christmas party. The oldies act just like kids when they’ve had a few drinks.

Music for One X-mas and Six Drummers, was this reviewer’s pick of the night. Six shifty looking Swedish characters turn up at a nursing home claiming they are Christmas carollers. They proceed to make some extremely funky beats with a collection of unusual instruments – everything they can find in the old folks' sewing room!

All in all, this was a superb 21st; a thoroughly good mix of international and locally made entertainment. It proved that a night of short flicks is just as enjoyable as a two-hour feature – and in a way, more exciting just because it's a bit different. It’s definitely an art form that would be great to have access to more often. But for the meantime, catch a good handful at the Flickerfest!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Flickerfest 2012
Bondi Pavillion
January 6–15, 2012

Touring nationally January–May 2012
Information and bookings: www.flickerfest.com.au