Press Release
ScreenWest’s annual showcase, Get Your Shorts On!, is back with an exceptional line up of short films from Western Australia’s top up and coming filmmakers. For over ten years, the popular program has screened an eclectic mix of films during the Revelation Perth International Film Festival. This year continues the trend with a fantastic mishmash of genres such as short drama, comedy and suspenseful films sure to delight audiences at the new venue of Luna Palace Cinemas in Leederville on Wednesday, 10 July 2013.
This year’s line-up features seven short films and includes; charming children’s dramas, The Little Astronaut and Blue which screened in the Toronto International Film Festival Kids program; thought-provoking drama, Inner Quality; quirky comedy-dramas, In the Air and Goodbye Cruel World; and to close the night, two nail-biting suspense dramas which were both selected for the St Kilda Film Festival, Ace of Spades and The Short Shrift.
ScreenWest Chief Executive Ian Booth said this year’s Get Your Shorts On! highlighted the calibre of filmmakers coming out of Western Australia.
“It is fantastic to see that many of the short films in this year’s program are already being recognised at both international and interstate festivals. It is a testament to the high quality of work from the talented emerging filmmakers in the State,” Mr Booth said.
“Through the support of ScreenWest and Film & Television Institute funded initiatives, Perth audiences are in for a treat with a first-look at the bold new visions from the next crop of Western Australian filmmakers.”
Get Your Shorts On! kicks off at 7:00pm on Wednesday, 10 July at the Luna Palace Cinema in Leederville.
Get Your Shorts On! is a popular program during Revelation so be sure to book your tickets early! Tickets are $18 / $15 concession and can be purchased at the Luna box office
For venue, ticketing and membership information for Get Your Shorts On! and the Revelation Perth International Film Festival, go to http://www.revelationfilmfest.org
Get Your Shorts On! films have received funding support from ScreenWest, Lotterywest, the Film & Television Institute (FTI ) and/or Screen Australia.
2013 Get Your Shorts On! Program
In the Air (Romantic Comedy)
Writer: Dot West (Broome)
Director: Kimberley West (Broome)
Producer: Jodie Bell (Broome)
Synopsis:
In The Air is a romantic comedy about a feisty camp cook, Sue who is a jealous, impulsive woman passionately attracted to Chris who resides in the camp. Chris wants a peaceful, uncomplicated life and he finds solace with the seductive voice on radio every night. Sue, enraged with jealousy, becomes her own worst enemy until she learns a valuable lesson from her arch-rival.
Additional information:
In the Air was shot over 6 days, on location on Nyikina – Mangala country, at Udialla Springs station, approximately 180 kms north-east of Broome and on Yawuru country near Boome.
The Little Astronaut (Children’s Drama)
Writer/Director: David Vincent Smith (Osborne Park)
Producer: Lauren Brunswick (North Perth)
Synopsis:
The Little Astronaut is the story of a fractured relationship between a father and son as they struggle to deal with the loss of a loved one. The son believes his mother is on the moon and tries desperately to reach her. His father refuses to join in the game that is breaking his heart.
Additional information:
The Little Astronaut is director David Vincent Smith’s first funded film. Producer Lauren Brunswick has just wrapped Son of a Gun (2013) with Ewan McGregor where she was employed as Producer’s Assistant.
Blue (Children’s Drama)
Writer/Director: Keir Wilkins (North Perth)
Producer: Keir Wilkins and Emilia Jolakoska (Yokine)
Synopsis:
When a young girl, raised by her oppressive and fear-mongering mother, discovers a fantastical blue man living next door, she begins communicating with him and uncovers the truth about herself and the world in which she lives. Blue is a magical-realism drama set in a timeless Australian suburbia that tells story of a young girl suffering a crisis of identity.
Additional information:
Writer Director Keir Wilkins has recently worked for Matchbox Pictures on the telemovie Underground and with Arena Media on the feature film The Turning. His first play will open in Sydney in October. Blue screened in the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Kid’s program in April 2013.
Inner Quality (Short Drama)
Writer/Director: Ethan Marrell (Vic Park)
Producer: Ethan Marrell
Synopsis:
Inner Quality is a portrait of life on the streets through the eyes of a Homeless Man. The one thing he has that keeps him going is music and playing his guitar for loose change. When Jasmine, a musical virtuoso with an affluent background, shows up on his turf and steals his crowd it sparks a vicious rivalry.
Additional information:
This film shot in the middle of Perth city and Steve McCall (homeless man) encountered abuse and sympathy when the public failed to see cameras and crew. A generous person put $5 in his prop busking hat and teenagers driving by in a car pelted him with 10, 20 and 50 cent pieces and yelled abusive words.
Goodbye Cruel World (Comedy/Drama)
Writer/Director: Adrian MacFarlane (Beckenham)
Producer: Jonathon Miller (Kallaroo)
Synopsis:
George has given up and wants to end it all. Unfortunately for him, so does Tilda and she won't let him do it alone. Together, this unlikely duo hatch a plan to end it all – not knowing where their schemes will lead them.
Additional information:
Goodbye Cruel World stars Amanda Woodhams who recently filmed Cloudstreet and Mental with Toni Collette and Liev Schreiber.
Ace of Spades (Thriller/Horror)
Writer/Director: Dennis Simmons (Banksia Grove)
Producer: Danielle Giles (Dianella)
Synopsis:
Christian is an ambitious young film maker with his sights set on success. When Christian is told the "Ace of Spades" story by an Aboriginal elder he convinces his producer Annie to follow him to the town of New Norcia, to investigate the origins of the story. With Camera's rolling Christian and Annie experience more than they bargained for.
Additional information:
Ace of Spades is based on an aboriginal folklore story that is known throughout Nyoongar country that many Indigenous people hold to be true. It is claimed by the Yuet people to have originated in the New Norcia region, the writer/ director’s mother was a member of the stolen generation who was placed at New Norcia so it was very important to him to tell this story.
The Short Shrift (Supernatural Thriller)
Writer/Director: Megan Palinkas (Hamilton Hill)
Producer: Tamara Small (Kalamunda)
Synopsis:
Ana leads a meagre existence on the wages she makes as a cleaning lady. A lonely spinster, the dolls in her small but cherished collection, are her only companions. While at work in the house of her wealthy employer Mrs. Lang, Ana is unexpectedly confronted by a dire moral dilemma. Allowing her greed to prevail over good, Ana becomes the target of swift retribution served from beyond the grave.
Additional information:
Director Megan Palinkas’ own house in Hamilton Hill was transformed into Ana’s apartment with some paint and retro wallpaper. Five weeks before principal photography Megan bought two rats, M.J and Prince and trained them in preparation for the scene at Mrs. Lang’s house (in Dalkeith). After the shoot the boys were adopted and are now living in a luxurious cage on a Llama farm.