By Casey Neill
Entries for this year’s Short Cuts Film Festival tripled to 1900 films.
Curator Richard Moore cast his eye over each one to select 18 to be screened at the Drum Theatre in Dandenong on Saturday 23 June at 7pm.
“I went mad,” he laughed.
“I can honestly say that I didn’t watch all of all of them.
“After three minutes if you’re not happy you go to the next one.”
From a shortlist of 50, a panel selected the finalists that will deliver fun, entertainment and a great mix styles – drama, animation, documentary and micro-films from different countries.
“It’s not a snooty art event at all,” Mr Moore said.
“It’s totally accessible.
“I really believe a film program should be entertaining.
“They’re to meant to bore you at all.”
Mr Moore joined Short Cuts when the event started three years ago, excited by “starting something new in a place where there’s such a vibrant culture”.
“We want to put Dandenong on the map for film and also to try and get new stories and things coming out of Dandenong as well,” he said.
He said the long-term plan was to encourage more entries from Greater Dandenong, “get the colleges and schools and all those places thinking about film and media to try and nurture the film culture in the region”.
Mr Moore has been involved in film and television production and direction, and ran the Melbourne and Brisbane film festivals.
“I’m a creature of screen and film,” he said.
He said this year’s Short Cuts entries came from up to 40 countries “as far-flung as Iran, Nepal, Afghanistan, India, Romania and Latvia”.
One, The Lost Property Office, came from former Lyndale Secondary College student Daniel Agdag.
The nine-minute animation is made from cardboard and has won two prizes in other competitions.
“It really is a gorgeous film,” Mr Moore said.
Audience members will get to vote for their favourite film on the night to earn a $500 prize, as will Greater Dandenong Mayor Yourhorn Chea.
Tickets are $10. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au for bookings.
