OVER 18 CATEGORY
A Shade of Purple (11.23)
The story of Jai, who left Thailand to get his Masters Degree in Australia. He studies during the day and is a drag queen at night.
Director: Skan Aryurapong
Skan is a TV/film director and graphic designer. Originally from Thailand, Diploma of Screen from Sydney Film School. Awards include: Best of Movie Poster 2005, Hamburger Magazine; Poster Designer Contest 2006; Caught Short Film Festival and Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Sydney 2009.
Love on Board (8.54)
Old Pantalone is looking for company for his cruise to America. Colombina, young and beautiful, accepts to sail with him, but then she regrets it, having met her true love on board. The revenge of the jealous Pantalone will be merciless. The Black and white old style silent film was produced as part of the original Commedia dell’Arte Play “The Unthinkably Unsinkable Ship”, inspired by the Titanic disaster.
Director: Bianca Bonino / Producer: Fabiola Pellegrino
Bianca is an actress, a stage director, a Commedia dell’Arte trainer and an event producer. In 2006 she discovered her interest on Commedia dell’Arte and ever since she supervised and directed all productions of her theatre group, first called “I Carbonari Della Commedia”, now Fools in Progress Inc.
Bianca is seen as one of the finest and most versatile Commedia dell’Arte performer on the current Australian stage. She also collaborates regularly with various Sydney based cultural associations producing poetical readings in Italian and cultural events. She likes to call herself the Capocomico of her theatre group.
Viaggio (2.20)
A daily ‘journey’, walking from home to a suburban station. Then the train arrives.
Director and Producer: Franco Baldi
Originally from Imola in Romagna, north-eastern Italy, Franco has been living for almost 50 years in Sydney, where he runs a photographic and cinema-video production company, through which he has been documenting hundreds of Italian Community and family events and celebrations. He is also a writer and editor and has published, in English and in Italian, several books by Italo-Australian writers. Franco’s short film productions include “The Line”, “The Wheel”, “Kitchen Sink Drama”, “And the Winner is…”, “XXXOOO”, “Fresh Flower Ahead”, “Bathurst”, “Mobill & Friends” and “Love Will Keep Us together”.
Absence (10:20)
Two brothers are reunited at the end of the road, after 40 years of estrangement.
Director: Davide Carta
Davide’s passion for film began at a young age but really took flight during his studies at the Sydney Film School. Directing three films throughout the year (“Absence“ being one of them), Davide quickly built himself a reputation for being a confident and very instinctive filmmaker, developing his own unique style and feel. Graduating with the ‘Best Director’ award and great expectations from his colleagues. Since leaving film school, he has worked on many projects, the latest of which: “Hole”, completed in 2014, has just started its festival circuit run and has certainly generated some high expectations.
A Homemade Love Story (8.17)
Robin shares a house in suburban Sydney with two other young men from Bangladesh. He believes he has a girlfriend and his friends often ask him about her. But his girlfriend doesn’t even know he existed.
Director: Abu Shahed Emon
Abu Shahed Emon, a young Bangladeshi independent filmmaker, produced several short films, documentaries and TV fictions. In 2009 he received the Australian Government’s Endeavor Award scholarship, under which he received diplomas in Screen and Media from Sydney Film School and from RMIT University in Melbourne. In 2011 he received the prestigious Asian Cinema Fund for “The Tale of a Policeman”, was recognized as one of the Best Pitching project by the Goteborg International Film Festival and has been selected among 20 top projects by the Beijing International Film Festival 2012’s Pitching Competition. His 2012 short “The Container” was selected for competition in the 17th Busan International Film Festival 2012. Emon is currently in the post-production phase of his first feature named “Jalal’s Fathers” under the Boutique Cinema Project in Bangladesh.
Australian Mongrel (How did you get here?) (2.13)
An animated journey on Sydney’s suburban rail network, exploring our multicultural roots. Participants were approached on trains with a deceptively simple question: “How did you get here?” The answers – ranging from commuters’’ physical mode of arrival to musings on migranthood – explore the complex ways Australian feel a sense of belonging to their country and culture. The real life audio, recorded by audio producer Belinda Lopez, was the base on which animator Rocco Fazzari builds characters and occasionally cheeky imagery. The mix of animation and actuality lures the viewer into the intimate world of its characters and their own journey to Australia.
Director: Rocco Fazzari / Producers: Belinda Lopez & Rocco Fazzari
Rocco is a multimedia artist who is a graduate of the South Australian School of Art. His political/satirical drawings appear regularly in the Fairfax press as well as in publications like Rolling Stone. In recent years he has been experimenting with animation as a legitimate form of storytelling. Often mixing hand drawn, actuality and audio the “espresso” animations deliver a seductive mix of sight and sound. Central to the medium is the commitment to a strong concept and narrative weaving its way through the usual 60 to 90 secs of animation with a strong empathy on its characters. Relying more on pathos then slapstick the animations draw on our childhood affection for the medium while welcoming an adult scrutiny of its themes. Rocco exhibits regularly as a painter he lives in Sydney with his wife and two daughters and is a proud Italo-Australian.
Belinda Lopez is a writer, documentary maker, journalist and storyteller, with an eye on human rights, history, power, politics and environmental issues internationally. She’s also passionate about collaboration and people’s stories from around the world, and her work has been recognised with awards from the New York Festivals, the UN and the Gabriels.
Breaking the Ice (14.39)
On a kayaking expedition to Greenland in 1986, Larry Gray nearly died under an avalanche of ice. He returns years later to face his fears. This is the story of that journey, told with a mix of archival footage and some dramatic re-enactment.
Director and Producer: Larry Gray
Began his documentary career by capturing his kayaking adventures, which included being part of the first Australian expedition to the Arctic in 1986. Larry ‘s work has since revolved around his love of nature and indigenous people. Directed series two of Discovery Channel’s top-rating “Tribal Life”. Shared an Emmy for electronic camera work for “Chasing the Midnight Sun”, another Arctic adventure, and Best Environmental documentary award for “Tracks of the Hunter” set in Arnhem Land.
Race through the Dead Heart (6.11)
Steven Gates, a lone motorbike rider, takes his machine through the Simpson desert.
Director and Producer: Alan Green
Alan has produced and edited observational documentaries, edited fast turnaround reality, entertainment, comedy series, through to long form dramas. Working in the TV and Film industry for the last seventeen years.
Misinterpretation (7.00)
Rani, a refugee from Sri Lanka, is being interviewed by her solicitor. During the interview Rani narrates about her painful past and her scary journey by boat to Australia. At the end of the interview, the solicitor understands that Rani is being detained because of the misinterpretation by an interpreter. Her deceased husband, a suspected Tamil terrorist, was making agricultural equipment, not “weapons” as the interpreter had understood then.
Winner of FILEF Short Film Competition “Il Viaggio-The Journey” and second prize in Cause Film Festival in Sydney.
Director: Eelan Elanko / Producer: Subashini Ilanko
Thodarum (Continuing) (7.00)
Shot in France, the story unfolds with Soori returning from Sri Lanka, where he had gone in search of his wife and daughter lost in the final Srilankan war.
Director: Eelan Elanko / Producer: Subashini Ilanko
Eelan, a migrant and a victim of war from Sri Lanka, living in Australia for the past 10 years, holds a Diploma in Multimedia from Auckland University of Technology and is a member of Indian Film writers Association. He started the production company “Amma Creations” in 2005 and has produced and directed the first Tamil movie made in Australia with local artists and technicians. Called “Iniyavale Kaaththiruppen” (Sweetheart I Will Wait for You), it entered the Norway Tamil Film Festival in 2013 where it won an award. Written by Eelan Elanko, it portrays the relationship between two Australian Tamil families and the cultural challenges they face in their adopted homeland. Other than the two shorts screened here, Eelan also wrote and directed “Thavippu” (Agony), as the first Tamil short film from Australia to enter a short film competition in France, “Silent Screams”, made for Tropfest 2014, and “Anita’s point of view”, produced for the first Vertical Film Festival. His next project is a Tamil-English thriller “Paari”, a feature film scheduled to be shot in March 2015.
Che Bella la Vita (3.14)
The dream-like journey of a snail. Inspired by the bas-relief of Saturnia, the roman goddess of the earth, displayed at the Ara Pacis museum in Rome, because of the lovely little snails crawling at her feet in the woods of Campo Marzio. The snail’s wandering represents a journey reminding us of Gulliver’s travels, but in a Mediterranean setting.
Director and Producer: Carlo Formosa
Carlo studied visual art and animation in Rome where he also worked at digital media agency “Studiodoppio”. Participated in various international competitions of short movies and animation such as Castelli Animati and Festival dell’Animazione of Rimini. He has also collaborated with Oscar winner Carlo Rambaldi, creator of E.T. and Alien’s special effects. Now living in Queensland and painting Australian wildlife.
Buzz (13.37)
In Sydney’s northern suburbs, a fifteen year old Korean International student embraces life unhindered by parental supervision.
Director: Il Hoon Chang
Originally from South Korea, Chang is a graduate from the Sydney Film School. His other short films include “Love of the Balloon”, “Absence” and “Three Sisters”.
She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not (15.00)
The film is an adaptation of the sell-out season stage production of the same name produced as part of the 2008 Mardi Gras Festival. It explores the complexity of family relationships and the pressure of upholding traditions. In a tug of war, Milena sways back and forth, between the women she loves. Trying to please her seductive lover and her conservative Italian mother is a comic drama fraught with miscommunication and frustration. As she battles with desires and obligation, Milena embarks on the almost impossible journey of satisfying multiple loves. Third prize in FILEF Short Film Competition “Il Viaggio-The Journey”
Director: Linda Mirabilio / Producers: Bethany Bruce & Linda Mirabilio
Giardino di Passione (4.00)
Enrico, a migrant from southern Italy recounts how he has created a little patch of Italy in his backyard in suburban Sydney. He is proud of his tomatoes, lettuce and grapes, and also of his winemaking.
Director and Producer: Linda Mirabilio
Linda holds a Diploma from the Australian Film Television & Radio School and is a Producer at NSW Curriculum and Learning Innovation Centre.
Having produced award-winning short documentaries, “She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not” is her first foray into directing drama.. Linda is a television producer with a strong interest in community cultural projects. Her most recent work was creating the confronting talk show series “Dare I Ask?”,produced for Sydney’s community channel TVS. Linda’s work explores the friction between growing up as an Italo-Australian navigating the terrain of self-identity, sexuality and the clash of Australian and Italian culture growing up.
Swinger (5.25)
When young Niko goes back to post-occupied Cyprus in 1976, he encounters his feisty grandparents in a battle of wills! Narrated by mature Niko, and in colour/black&white, the film is a tribute to the director’s grandparents. “Swinger” has been selected in competition at a number of international film festivals including the Cyprus International Film Festival and The San Pedro International Film Festival
Director: Nicholas Papademetriou / Producer: Beth Child
Nicholasis an Australian-born actor of Greek descent with many television, film and theatre credits. A graduate of Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 1984, has had an extensive career in film and television, but is best known as a stage actor, having appeared in productions in Australia, London, New York and Edinburgh.
Atheatre actor and director, has worked for major theatre companies in Australia including Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company and Company B Belvoir. In 1989 he worked for Mike Leigh in “Greek Tragedy”. His one man show “Snag” has played around Australia, in New York and Edinburgh. He was also in the Australian national tour of “12 Angry Men”. In 2013 he appeared in “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” for Sydney Theatre Company and in “Othello” for the independent theatre company Sport for Jove. In 2014 he is creating a new role in the world premiere of Aiden Fennessey’s new play for two actors called “The Way Things Work”. Papademetriou has had roles in films such as “Mission: Impossible 2”, “The Night We Called It a Day” and “Death in Brunswick” and has appeared in a number of award winning short films including “Two Nights”, “Road”, “Sparks” and “Past Midnight”.
Melbourne Tramontana (5.00)
A surrealistic view of central and suburban Melbourne from morning till night, experienced on board the city’s classic trams.
Director and Producer: Federico Passi
Born in Rome, Federico is a photographer, filmmaker, webmaster and PhD candidate at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He deals with images, cultural estrangements and foreign city identities with an interest in the connection between transportation and emotions within the urban space.
Inside Out (9.00)
Karim, a refugee, has fled his home in war-torn Afghanistan. Finally released from an Australian detention centre, he receives tragic news from his family in Afghanistan.
Second prize in FILEF Short Film Competition “Il Viaggio-The Journey”.
Director and Producer: Kay Pavlou
Dance at Tennant Creek (8.00)
A documentary about traditional Aboriginal dance event that takes place in Tennant Creek, in the Northern Territory.
Director: Kay Pavlou / Editor: Giulia Tronci
A multi-award-winning director, born in Australia to Greek Cypriot parents, Kay’s stories transverse subjects and worldwide locations. Has directed numerous short films, documentaries and episodes of well-known TV series such as “Who Do You Think You Are?” and “Desperately Seeking Sheila” for SBS and “Gangs of Oz” for Seven Network.
The Journey (11.29)
From the ancient days of the Roman Empire to present time, men have been trying to figure out what life is all about. An Italian man, Salvatore, reflects upon his life.
Director: James Chan / Producer: Vincenzo Riemma
James is a music teacher, pianist and organist, with a strong interest in creative arts. He writes his own soundtracks and records them for his short films. James has been an active short film maker for Tropfest and other Australian short film competitions. His short films were included in the top 8 finals in the NSW Nurses Association Short Film Competition in 2011, 2012 & 2013. He is also an experienced photographer and videographer.
James featured in many Australian TV commercials and acted in the background for many international films (e.g. The Wolverine), Australian films (e.g. A Few Best Men)
James also loves singing and won first and second prize in the McDonald Performing Arts Community Choral Singing Competition in 2006 & 2007
Vincenzo acted in several of comedy plays for the Italian Community, both in English and in Italian. He completed a number of theatre courses, including NIDA and Commedia dell’Arte workshops. He participated in short film festival organized by Italian community and cultural organization CoAsIt and he came fourth in a short film festival held in Rome for Italian filmmakers living abroad.
Short films scripted and acted by Vincenzo include The Red Ribbon andManifestation. Since he was a child, Vincenzo says that he always liked to entertain people and bring a smile to their faces.
Just a Dream (7.80)
A dream or just one love, in one day. Who is the mysterious girl smiling at him from that painting. Why has she disappeared when he returns from a short trip? Was it just a dream?
Director: Dario Salamon / Producer: Vito Rosato
Born in Sicily 35 years ago after working for 10 years in advertising agencies, Dario decided to move to Scotland where he specialized in editing at the Royal Scottish Music Academy. After two years he moved to Sydney to study filmmaking and animation at the Academy of Technology. His specialization is the commercials and music videos and he has worked in industrial videos as art director with major companies, including LG Electronics, Oz racing, Wind. “Just a dream” is his first short movie.
The Cheerful Departed (9.00)
Is death the ultimate journey? “A life lived in fear of death is a life not lived”.
Director: Gino Zem
Originally from Russia, Gino is a director and actor and holds an advanced diploma from the Sydney Film School. His short films include “My Second Life”, “L&D Wedding Waltz”, “My Xanadu”, “First Attempt Time Lapse” and “Train Man”.
UNDER 18 CATEGORY
Il viaggio della mia vita (4.43)
Valeria is only nine but already has quite a long experience of life, having been exposed to different countries, languages and cultures. Here she narrates the journey of his life and highlights her identity.
Director and Producer: Valeria Martire
Valeria was born in Rome, on the 30 July 2005, from an Italian father and a Peruvian mother. At home she speaks equally Spanish and Italian. Due to her father’s job, the Martire family has already lived in Peru, in Italy, in Macedonia and since 2010 in Sydney. Valeria likes to travel a lot, to discover new places, to meet people, play, dance, do gymnastics, listen to music, ride a bike, learn new things, shoot photographs and film videos. She also likes to help her mother in the kitchen, to read, to watch movies with the family, especially comedies or stories with a happy ending.
Nomad (5.00)
From Melbourne to the Passi family’s holiday place in Italy. A journey back to a birthplace that is not quite the same anymore.
Director and Producer: Martino Passi
Martino is 15 and was born in Rome. His father was also born in Rome and his mother in Sydney. Martino speaks Italian and English, is interested in music and of course in cinema and in entertaining people in general. He won theInner North Video Clip Festival in 2011 and was shortlisted in the Yew.Tv Skate Film Festival. Even without much experience yet, Martin believes that he knows what he is doing. His favourite movies are psychological thrillers, and comedies. My other interests are Futsal, a variation of soccer played between two teams of five players each and Drama.
The Journey (3.38)
A young boy leaves home at a specific time. He gets ready to leave and then grabs some fruit that he puts in his bag. He then walks down the local national park until he reaches a specific rock. He then takes out the fruit and places it there, looking into the distance as if he was expecting someone. A final scene of someone’s hand grabbing the fruit suggests that this is something that has been done before, or even daily, and that the boy knows whom he is leaving the fruit for.
Director: Pier Luca Angrisano / Producer: Gianna Di Genua
Pier Luca is 14 and grew up in Sydney surrounded by Italian culture. From a young age he grew an interest for acting, filming and any form of drama/comedy. At school he participated in many plays, dances and dramas, he joined a film club where he learnt filming and acting skills. With a small group of students, produced a movie for a Sydney Region Film Competition and was rewarded with new school cameras and a trophy.
Il viaggio di Pippo Patata (3.16)
It explores the life changing events that a typical Italian potato experiences, but with a twist!
Director: Lorena Piazzolla / Producer: Lara Livolsi
Lorena is 17 and was born in Sydney. Her mum was born in Sydney of Italian parents and her dad was born in Italy, and came to Australia at a young age. The language spoken at her house is predominantly English but with Italian spoken to grandparents. It is a typical Italian family where most memories are made around a plate of pasta and good company. She enjoys most genres of films but in particular romantic comedies and thrillers.
Lara is also 17, her parents were also born in Sydney, both of them of Italian descent. The languages spoken in the family are English and Italian, with the dialetto siciliano e napoletano making an appearance every now and then. Lara enjoys watching comedies, both Italian & English – as who doesn’t like a good laugh with their friends?.