Fist Full of Films – on the Waterfront
Local audiences will get the chance to see 35 Territory made short films on the big screen in Darwin’s most spectacular and newest outdoor venue the Darwin Waterfront.
The films are a retrospective of outstanding films from the past decade that have been entered into the Territory’s only annual short film festival, Fist Full of Films.
“We were thrilled when the Darwin Waterfront Corporation really welcomed the idea of using their fabulous location to screen our short films. We hope the spectacular outdoor venue and its accessibility to the general public will attract audiences that would not usually get to see the Territory made films, said Dixi Joy Bankier, Fist Full’s Producer.
Jane Tonkin, one of the original creators of the film festival said – “Audiences will be treated to the wonderful work of our emerging and professional filmmakers. Most often the films are made with no budgets and a lot of help from their friends. The 10 year retrospective certainly shows the evolution of the technology that has become available to our filmmakers since 1999.”
The film program encompasses all genres, from dramas to comedy and mockumentary, in many styles from animation to visually experimental films. Dixi said “some of the films truly capture our northern nature, like Post Card from Hell in October a film that makes the viewer feel he is living and breathing the build up,” from a collaboration between wordsmith Andrew McMillan and filmmaker Annaliese Richardson in 2004.
Audiences get a chance to see Can I have Banana Please Chris …the winner of the Palm Door for Film of the Decade voted by our Festival audiences back in August. A mystery unfolds as a bunch of kids have to eat 100 bananas to break a spell cast on them by a cheeky spirit. Made in 2007 by Gochan Giny Jira Community in East Arnhemland, featuring Sam Bonson who has taken out two Galah Awards for his acting.
Another all time favourite from 2001 is, Demons by Todd Williams – a sci-fi, that has angry sea wasps attack Darwin in vengeance for the over development of the city. From 2008 is Grog Runner – which has an uncanny resemblance to a Territory Stateline story, tells the tale of a grog runner that outwits the police and politicians alike.
“The three hour program represent a slice of the last decade, some are a little spicy others moving or ironic, above all they showcase what a talented bunch of filmmakers we have in the Territory. The program is rated PG and children under 15 should be accompanied by an adult to give guidance throughout the mild themes.”
Dixi said, “Seeing our home grown stories up on the big screen where we live is important in building our own screen culture. We hope some of the audience at the Darwin Waterfront will be inspired to get out there and make films that tell our stories.”
Fist Full of Films – On the Waterfront Saturday 31 October 2009 7.30pm – 11pm
FREE entry, no seating provided – bring your own rugs and chairs, no alcohol or glass, PG rated.
Screening cancelled if it rains.
Contact - Dixi Joy Bankier 0403995751 Producer Fist Full of Films
Jane Tonkin – 0447 539672 – Fist Full of Films Committee
Interviews with filmmakers arranged on request.