Spotlight Shines On This Year’s Setting Sun Film Fest Short List

April 8, 2016

In by Cara Nash

Check out the Setting Sun Short Film Festival at the Sun Theatre in Melbourne's West. April 14-17.
Check out the Setting Sun Short Film Festival at the Sun Theatre in Melbourne's West. April 14-17.

Finalists for this year’s Setting Sun Film Festival, the Sunnies, have been revealed, with winners to be announced at the conclusion of the four-day festival, a favourite with filmmakers, film lovers and westie locals alike.

Festival director Anna Bourozikas said there were 60 entries for this year’s event, to be once again held at the iconic Sun Theatre, Ballarat Street Yarraville.

“The entries are incredibly diverse – from sci-fi to a period drama, quality documentaries to animation. And of course, there’s plenty of the quirky comedy Setting Sun-goers expect from their festival,” Anna said. “We’ll be showing films made by experienced, well-known indie filmmakers as well as emerging talent. The range is great!”

The short film festival began in 2013 and has quickly become a major fixture on the local creative calendar and a favourite with film makers in the west and beyond. Anna says that several of the short-listed films have been commended at other prestigious festivals, while some are making their big-screen debut in Yarraville.

While most categories are open to filmmakers from further afield, Anna is delighted with the number of entries from the festival’s heartland, including local students.

“We are proud to support the Setting Sun Short Film Festival – specifically ‘Kid’s Day’ at the Town Hall – through our Festival City program. Maribyrnong is home to a large and dynamic creative community, so it is fantastic that we have events such as this which not only support emerging talent, but provide a platform for showcasing it to the wider community, “ said Mayor of Maribyrnong, Cameron McDonald.

Highlights of this year’s festival include:

• A women’s program, with films from talented female filmmakers at a special 90- minute screening donated by the Sun Theatre. Anna Bourozikas says female involvement in this year’s festival is up by 35 per cent, which is a strong validation Screen Australia’s Gender Matters initiative to increase the participation of women in film.

• A kids’ day, with two free programs screening at the Footscray Town Hall, generously supported by the City of Maribyrnong. • Opening night gala. •

The presentation of the Sunnies, the awards for the Festival’s best. There’s $5000 worth of prizes up for grabs for this year’s top filmmaking talent.

• The People’s Choice Award. Audiences can have their say and nominate the film that made them laugh, cry or think. The Setting Sun Film Festival is at the Sun Theatre, Yarraville April 14 – 17.

For tickets and further information visit the Sun Theatre website. www.settingsun.com.au

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