With a prize pool valued at over $10,000 up for grabs, the short list of films was deliberated over by a stellar line up of judges from the film and television industry including Noni Hazlehurst, Christiaan Van Vuuren, Jessica Tovey, Kristy Best, Dr Ruth Harley and Andrew McFarlane.

Director of the Bondi Short Film Festival, Francis Coady said, “It is heartening to see such large crowds of people supporting independent Australian film year on year. We look forward to unearthing and presenting more wonderful films in 2013 and beyond.”

The 12^th annual Bondi Short Film Festival award winners:

Showtime Movie Channels ‘Best Film Award’

THE MAKER – Directed by Christopher Kezelos

A strange creature races against time to make the most important and beautiful creation of his life.

Proof Sunglasses ‘Best Script Award’

RESISTANCE – Directed by Blake Borcich

A Nazi officer is blown into a cellar during the bombardment of a French town. Two women are seeking shelter in the same cellar and they become suddenly trapped. But where is the danger – outside or within?

Boca Lupo ‘Best Music Award’

THE MAKER – Composed by Paul Halley

A strange creature races against time to make the most important and beautiful creation of his life.

Santa Vittoria ‘Best Cinematography Award’

THE ART OF BOXING – Directed by Andrew Flakelar

We all know boxing to be a brutal pursuit, but few recognise and appreciate the artistry of its finesse, strategy and heart. Seen through the eyes of Newton “The Butcher” Kidd, a grassroots professional fighter from the Bronx, New York, The Art of Boxing takes a cinematic view of the complexity and poetry of boxing by shattering the commonly held view of a simplistic and barbaric contest, elevating the drama, determination and struggles of this passionate boxer.

Hoyts Kiosks ‘People’s Choice Award’

THE MAKER – Directed by Christopher Kezelos

A strange creature races against time to make the most important and beautiful creation of his life.

WeWood Watches ‘Best Actor Award’

Lucy Chen from PUSH & PULL – Directed by Dorothy Pranolo

Lisa, a young Asian-Australian girl, feels forever pressured by her mother to be the perfect violinist. When tensions between the two collide at Lisa’s much anticipated violin audition, which path will she follow? The life she wants, or the one her mother has paved for her?

Spectrum Films ‘Best Production Award’

THE MAKER – Directed by Christopher Kezelos

A strange creature races against time to make the most important and beautiful creation of his life.

For further information contact Kabuku PR

Lisa Barnes – 0417 366 081 – Lisa@kabukupr.com.au
Aundrea Silva – 0424 707 291 – Aundrea@Kabukupr.com.au

THE 12^th ANNUAL BONDI SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

 The 12^th annual Bondi Short Film Festival is pleased to announce a stellar line up of guest judges that will preside over a shortlist of 14 outstanding short films during the event held on 24^th November 2012. Finalists will compete for a prize pool valued at over $10,000 including a return flight to North America courtesy of Showtime Movie Channels, edit suite hire from Spectrum Films, WeWood Watches and a Proof Eyewear package.

The Bondi Short Film Festival 2012 judges are:

Noni Hazlehurst

Noni is a respected and award-winning performer, presenter, writer and director whose work extends across theatre, film, radio and television. She has starred in the feature films Little Fish, Candy and Bitter & Twisted along with the short films Seven Seven Seven and A Parachute Falling in Siberia. Noni is currently in pre-production of the new Channel Seven TV drama series, A Place to Call Home.

Christiaan Van Vuuren

Christian is the YouTube video blogger phenomenon who gained fame with Sick, a series of spoof clips and comedic raps about his time in hospital. He is also one half of the Bondi Hipsters duo whose cult videos have taken the cyber world by storm and has resulted in over four million hits and a television deal with a major network.

Jessica Tovey

Jessica is one of Australia’s most talented young actors. She most recently filmed a support role in Tracks starring Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver and produced by Oscar winner Emile Sherman, as well as the Australian / French co-production of Two Mothers, starring Robyn Wright-Penn and Naomi Watts. Jessica is currently filming a guest role in the Network 10 comedy series, Mr and Mrs Murder.

Kristy Best

Kristy is both guest judge and MC for the Festival. She is best known as the host of ABC2’s Sunday Best and the award winning short filmmaker of dark comedy, Something Fishy. Performing since childhood, Kristy has also starred in the short films Entwined and Octopus and this year enjoyed glowing reviews for her performance in Lachlan Philpott’s award winning play, Truck Stop.

Dr. Ruth Harley

Since 2008, Ruth has been the Chief Executive Officer of Screen Australia and in the ten years prior to this, was CEO of the New Zealand Film Commission. Ruth has more than 20 years experience in the cultural and media sectors. Her previous roles include Commissioning Editor of TVNZ, inaugural CEO of television funding agency New Zealand On Air and National Media Director of Saatchi and Saatchi.

Andrew McFarlane

A graduate of NIDA, Andrew has starred in the feature films Boulevard of Broken Dreams and Little White Lies along with the short films Shadow Valley and Bourke Boy. In theatre, Andrew has worked for every state theatre in Australia and numerous independent companies and has just finished a season with Tamarama Rock Surfers at the Bondi Pavilion in I Want to Sleep With Tom Stoppard.

WHAT: 12^th annual Bondi Short Film Festival

WHEN: Saturday, November 24^th 2012

WHERE: Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach

TICKETS: $33 + booking fee. Moshtix – www.moshtix.com.au or 1300 438 849

TIMES:

Matinee Session – 3pm

Evening Session 1 – 7:30pm

Evening Session 2 – 8:15pm (Doors open at 6pm)

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 12^TH ANNUAL BONDI SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

 From over 200 submissions, the 12^th annual Bondi Short Film Festival has selected 14 of Australia’s most talented up and coming filmmakers for its 2012 shortlist of finalists. The finalists will compete for a prize pool valued at over $10,000, judged by a panel of highly respected award winning members of the Australian film and television industry.

The award categories presented by this year’s Festival sponsors include: Hoyts Kiosks ‘People Choice Award’, Proof Sunglasses ‘Best Script Award’, Boca Lupo ‘Best Music Award’, Spectrum Films ‘Best Production Award’, WeWood Watches ‘Best Actor Award’, Santa Vittoria ‘Best Cinematography Award’ and Showtime Movie Channels ‘Best Film Award’.

The 12^th annual Bondi Short Film Festival finalists include:

Thin Air – Directed by Natalie Nalesnyik

A teenage gymnast watches a questionable relationship unfold between her teammate and her coach. Confronted by mixed feelings of jealousy and suspicion, she struggles in knowing the truth behind his actions. She must decide, despite her doubts and fears, whether to follow her instincts.

The Art of Boxing– Directed by Andrew Flakelar

We all know boxing to be a brutal pursuit, but few recognise and appreciate the artistry of its finesse, strategy and heart. Seen through the eyes of Newton “The Butcher” Kidd, a grassroots professional fighter from the Bronx, New York, The Art of Boxing takes a cinematic view of the complexity and poetry of boxing by shattering the commonly held view of a simplistic and barbaric contest, elevating the drama, determination and struggles of this passionate boxer. 

Push & Pull – Directed by Dorothy Pranolo

Lisa, a young Asian-Australian girl, feels forever pressured by her mother to be the perfect violinist. When tensions between the two collide at Lisa’s much anticipated violin audition, which path will she follow? The life she wants, or the one her mother has paved for her?

 Embellish – Directed by Chris Radburn

Chris doesn’t talk about his acting career because he hasn’t got one. But he soon realises sometimes the only thing you can do is embellish.

 Mug’s Game – Directed by Lav Bodnaruk and Michael Mier

Shad Newbolt has been a boxer for as long as he can remember, but something has changed. For the first time in his carrier he is gripped by fear, but Shad’s manager is unconcerned by his fears and presses the point that he doesn’t just box for himself and it would be even more dangerous for him to quit. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, in his tormented mind, Shad only sees one way out!

Grandma – Directed by Carlos Montalva

Sean is walking home to his grandmothers after seeing his friend at the park. In the meantime, Sean’s grandmother receives a letter that will potentially change her grandson’s life. She positively can’t wait until he gets home to tell him the good news. Now…when is he coming home?

Reason For Living – Directed by Graeme Simsion

He’s a computer expert in his early 40s, fit and financially independent. He travels widely, has a range of interests and enjoys socialising. What he wants more than anything else is someone to share his life with. But his relationships seldom progress past the first date. He doesn’t seem to be wired for romance. Then he meets someone.  Fate has dealt her a bad hand, but she is destined to become his reason for living. From the author of The Rosie Project, a true story about finding love.

Young Blood – Directed by Billy Otto

The lives of three extremely vulnerable young men from New Zealand, Australia and Vietnam are traced as they reflect on their desire for acceptance. All coming from broken families, they retell their experience in their local gangs.

The Grand Design – Directed by Samuel Bartlett

A metaphysics student that believes he can scientifically decipher fate, must choose between saving his own life or that of a stranger after living the same day twice.

A Place Like This – Directed by David May

A RAAF pilot’s extraordinary survivor tale of a night he will never forget told in a garden paradise that he has created.

The Maker – Directed by Christopher Kezelos

A strange creature races against time to make the most important and beautiful creation of his life.

Julia – Directed by Brodie Rocca

A coming of age film that explores themes of manhood, the fight for beauty and classic romance in a modern concrete world. George, the wounded hero who has yet to accept the end of a relationship meets a mystery girl. Young, intelligent and dangerous, she’s about to give him the push he needs.

Resistance – Directed by Blake Borcich

A Nazi officer is blown into a cellar during the bombardment of a French town. Two women are seeking shelter in the same cellar and they become suddenly trapped. But where is the danger – outside or within?

The Gnome Garden – Directed by Elena Hattersley

A documentary that follows the story of Kerry, a collector of all things gnome, who gives the audience a peek into her world and how she ended up with over 300 gnomes.

WHAT: 12^th annual Bondi Short Film Festival

WHEN: Saturday, November 24^th 2012

WHERE: Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach

TICKETS: Moshtix – www.moshtix.com.au or 1300 438 849

COST: $33 + booking fee

TIMES:

• Matinee Session – 3pm (Main Theatre) Doors open at 2pm
• Evening Session 1 – 7:30pm (Main Theatre) Doors open at 6pm
• Evening Session 2 – 8:15pm (Seagull Theatre) Doors open at 6pm

The festival prides itself on being one of the only film festivals in the World that does not charge an entry free.

ENTRY IS NOW OPEN so please click on the ENTRY FORM and make sure your film is entered no later than Friday October 12 at 5pm.