Online film festivals bring lockdown relief
In the current circumstances, several film festivals are now making content accessible online and, as Addy Fong explains, they need our support:
Ever since the start of lockdown, I’ve been reflecting on the many ways we are trying to stay connected with one-another whilst staying inside and physically apart. With the closure and limits put in place for clubs, pubs, performance venues, theatres, restaurants, cafes, cinemas and studios, these spaces of creative expression and growth have been hindered by this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.
Like many of you, I miss meeting up in person with groups who share similar interests, and the return of normality is now becoming more a distant dream rather then a tangible reality. That said, I’m grateful for the amount of festivals and events starting to come online, adapting to the changing environment, as many of as are in these circumstances.
Sydney Film Festival has announced that it will be returning virtually this year, from the 10th – 21st of June, which is a welcome move during a time when arts, creativity and connection should be celebrated. In its 67th year, the festival is featuring world premieres of documentaries, shorts, and films from women in Europe in its 2020 lineup, along with awards.
In addition to this, other pockets of film-related events have come up in recent weeks, such as We Are One: a global film festival which will be hosted on Youtube from May the 29th to June 7th, and boasts a globally connected showcase of films from well-known festivals such as Sundance, Sydney, New York, and BFI London. Closer to home, there are more grass roots movements. There’s the encouragement of smartphone homemade filmmaking through events like the Kino Movement, SmartFone Flick Fest (SF3), weekend streams and virtual watch parties held by many film clubs and streaming platforms, such as Static Vision’s weekly streams of hard to find gems, with stellar interviews with directors included. Also, Made in the West’s Rewind showcases past shorts created by Western Sydney filmmakers.
These days, it’s not so much the lack of access to content but the amount of choice that can become overwhelming. We’re watching more and consuming more content from the comforts of home, accessing more on-demand services through streaming platforms, participating in bedroom concerts and social media sites to help us stay connected. The opportunity to create and connect with others is more important now then ever, and support of the arts is vital for an industry that needs to be supported and deserves to be uplifted. In a time of isolation and restrictions, with physical distancing and closed borders, let’s all celebrate culture and the arts rather than cut funds and resources.
I’m grateful for the privilege I have in being able to connect virtually with others almost instantaneously, regardless of geographical location, thanks to an internet connection. Whilst I look forward to meeting up in person and familiarising myself with places I used to frequent, such as cinemas and cafes, I celebrate the temporary and convenient existence of ourselves here in this online space. As we wait for a cure, a vaccination, a solution, I hope everyone keeps safe and well and holds onto the dreams and hopes that the arts can bring to the living rooms of many us, who looking back, will be ever so grateful.
If you are interested, please check out and support the links below. There are plenty of other websites and organisations doing a stellar job presenting content online. I’m sure they all need our support right now.
Sydney Film Festival: https://www.sff.org.au/
We Are One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVuf5iTExis
SF3 SmartFone Flickfest: https://sf3.com.au/
Made in the West: https://www.facebook.com/madeinthewest/
Static Vision: https://www.facebook.com/StaticVisionFilmCo/
Kino – Sydney and Melbourne: https://kinosydney.com/
Filmonik: https://filmonik.com.au/
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Words by Addy Fong.
