After last year’s successful digital festival, SKFF 2021 will comprise a spread of virtual and physical events.
St Kilda Film Festival has unveiled a glimpse at this year’s program, revealing a handful of festival highlights and events set to unfold as part of its 38th instalment.
Having successfully navigated last year’s restrictions to bring an exciting online event that was awarded an award for Digital Resiliency, this year’s St Kilda Film Festival will comprise both physical and virtual events.
What you need to know
- St Kilda Film Festival is happening from May 20-29
- The full 2021 program will be announced in April
- St Kilda Film Festival is inviting curators, screen artists and other creatives to submit works to be featured as part of the festival
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Opening on Thursday May 20 at St Kilda’s much-loved The Astor Theatre, this year’s festival will also encompass The Alex Theatre and various other spaces across the City of Port Phillip, as well as being presented online.
This year’s event will feature Australia’s Top Short Film Competition, showcasing 100 of the best new Australian short films screening in cinema and online; the annual Under the Radar short film competition and VCE student film showcase; a program of new animated shorts from across the world with International Family Animation Explosion; and A Tribute to Bob Maza retrospective featuring a special “in conversation” with Rachael and Lisa Maza charting the life and work of this extraordinary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performer and activist.
Expanding beyond the screen, SKFF 2021 will come to life across the St Kilda precinct with a number of moving image installations, including a special commission created by Melbourne artists.
The festival has also issued a call-out to local creatives to submit works for its annual Australia’s Top Short Film Competition and its new regional filmmaking competition Your Place, which debuted in 2020.
“With or without COVID, the changes in the media landscape over the last couple of years have been nothing short of a revolution,” says Festival Director Richard Sowada. “We’re wanting to harness that spirit, highlight the convergence of forms and showcase to industry and community the opportunity this environment provides.”
St Kilda Film Festival is happening from May 20-29. For more information, visit the SKFF website.