Shorts laughing after decade of success

2013 Festival program announced

After ten years the Shorts Festival is laughing, with comedies representing six of the twenty finalists in this year’s Festival, and a short but proud history that has seen the Festival kick start the careers of many Australian filmmakers.

The Festival, the idea of acclaimed film producer David Lightfoot, has grown into a respected national short film festival with past winners including The Palace’s Anthony Maras, The Love Song for Iskra Prufrock’s Lucy Gaffy, Jacob’s Dena Curtis and Chicken of God’s Frank Woodley.

The 2013 Festival (April 27-May 4) will be a celebration of success with the top 20 finalist’s films screening alongside a further 40 judge’s picks from this year’s entries. The Festival received more than 200 entries this year.

To celebrate their tenth anniversary, the Festival program also includes past award winners, films that proved popular with audiences and selected films from the UK’s Rushes Soho Shorts, which has partnered with the Festival since 2003.

This year’s top 20 films include comedies, drama, thrillers, documentaries and animations.

Three South Australian films made the cut – Michael Cusack’s Sleight of Hand, which won best animation at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Daniel Joyce’s Suburban Samurai and James Finlay’s debut film, Boxer.

New South Wales filmmakers did well in this year’s Festival with half of the finalists coming out of the State along with 3 from Victoria, 2 from Queensland and 1 each from Western Australia and Tasmania.

SHORTS Film Festival Chair, Paul Jorgensen, said this year’s program is the result of some strong debate amongst the judges.

“The program reflects the strength and diversity of the Festival over the last 10 years and a few of the finalists could be contenders for the judges’ picks at our 20th festival in 2023.

“We’re looking forward to a great week of Australian film and the blend of the finalists’ films alongside some shorts classics will make for an exciting festival and a fitting way to celebrate our 10th anniversary.

“The pop up nature of the Festival also continues this year with another new venue, Published Arthouse on Cannon Street in Adelaide’s west end.

“The social atmosphere for which the festival has become popular will continue with the opportunity for people to eat, drink and talk about the films with not only each other, but with many of filmmakers themselves.”

For filmmakers, the SHORTS Film Festival still boasts one of the largest prize pools in Australia worth over $50,000.The winner receives an all-expenses paid trip to prestigious international film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Sundance or Annecy.

The Black SHORTS Award will also make a return this year. Sponsored by Beach Energy, this award encourages more indigenous films to be made, with the winner receiving $10,000 toward future projects that will foster indigenous film-making.

The full Festival program along with booking information is available on the SHORTS Film Festival website. Prices range from $15 to $40.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.shortsfilmfestival.com

MEDIA CONTACTS: Simon Hatcher, Hughes PR, simon@hughespr.com.au or (08) 8412 4100

WHAT: 2013 Shorts Film Festival

WHERE: The Published Arthouse, Cannon Street, Adelaide

WHEN:  April 27 to May 4, 2013

TICKETS: www.shortsfilmfestival.com