The Fleurieu Film Festival returns with a selection of 15 finalist short films played at the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitors Centre, supporting local filmmakers with prizes and exposure to a live audience.
Securing a Community Events Grant from the City of Onkaparinga as well as film industry and business support from more than 20 sponsors, the Fleurieu Film Festival is running its seventh film awards event, bringing 600-800 attendees a year to the Fleurieu Region.
Carolyn Corkindale, Festival Director said that after COVID-19 lockdowns the festival's success was secured by the talented board members and creative team.
"Our film festival is backed by a strong group of successful and experienced creatives who inspire emerging filmmakers to enter the festival with increasingly excellent short films," Carolyn said. The Fleurieu Film Festival recently welcomed new board members Rick Davies (Producer, Living Not Beige Films - The Angels: Kickin' Down the Door) and Kristen Hamill (City Producer, Adelaide 48 Hour Film Project).
The festival has had many successful alumni in the past, including 2022 Best Director award winner Alice Yang who went on to not only secure a place as one of 12 participants chosen to attend the AFTRS National Talent Camp 2022 but also gained employment at SA production company Beyond Content (which was established by 2016 Best Film/Director award winner Stephen de Villiers). Carolyn and the creative team at the Fleurieu Film Festival are excited to see what the 2023 award winners achieve in the future.
In 2023 the festival will feature mostly South Australian local films, many from young students who may have never had the chance to get their film shown in front of a large audience. Films this year will feature the theme GIFT, which can be "interpreted widely, from the physical gifts we give to others to the metaphorical gifts of life and love." One of the films, All Is Well, is from 28 year old South Australian filmmaker Shuying Liu (Grace). Grace moved to South Australia from Yunnan, China when she was 15 and has used her experience of COVID-19 border closures to create a beautiful story told in Mandarin about a couple's experience trying to connect with family and friends during Lunar New Year.
The Fleurieu Film Festival events are not only lauded for an entertaining selection of short films, but also "music, food and wine in an open air setting against beautiful McLaren Vale vines and always topped with a special sunset," said Carolyn. The festival returns for the second year in a row to the picturesque lawns of the Visitors Centre on Saturday 4th February 2023. Tickets can be purchased via their website www.fleurieufilmfestival.com.au/tickets
