Flickerfest: Made in Melbourne

Overview

This article is sponsored by our partners, Flickerfest.

Sydney seems to have all the fun when it comes to short film festivals. Huge crowds descend on Centennial Park for Tropfest (no matter how divisive the films are), and Flickerfest runs for over a week at Bondi Pavilion. Sure, we have MIFF, but there's something great about the short form, and as the nation's self-professed culture capital we deserve at least a night of it. Thankfully, Flickerfest are bringing that night to us on Wednesday, February 12.

Setting up in Palace Kino Cinemas on Collins Street, this special Flickerfest event will bring us eight Melbourne-made offerings that featured in the festival's larger Sydney showing last month (plus one very special US doco). Each film, with an average run-time of 15 minutes, will be shown in succession and the screening will be followed by a catered afterparty with drinks from the likes of Little Creatures and Crystal Head Vodka — a liquor with its own legacy of strange short film thanks to owner, Dan Aykroyd.

Now in its 23rd year, Flickerfest is an institution, and the films on show are the best of the best. Chosen from over 2,300 entries, featured works such as The Kingdom of Doug and The Last Time I Saw Richard have won numerous accolades in their Sydney run and are exemplary of the most innovative work being done by our local filmmakers. The short American documentary Slomo will also be featured in the night's viewing — a film that tells the tale of a retired neurologist who now spends his days rollerblading up the Pacific Beach boardwalk in slow-motion. Such films definitely serve as a reminder that great stories can be found in small (and strange) packages.

Tickets can be purchased prior to the event via (03) 9650 2100 or bought at the door on the night.