St Kilda 2013 Preview: 13 Essential Shorts

The St Kilda Short Film Festival is turning 30 this year, and to celebrate it is running an extended 10 day program that includes 100 Australian short films, a special program of music videos and retrospective screenings, industry open days and workshops, plus four sidebars showcasing the best of the iconic South By Southwest Film Festival. All in all there will be about 150 shorts and close to 40 music videos, so how does one figure out what to watch amid all the choices? 

Working at ScreenAnarchy and its comrade company XYZ Films I get to watch a hell of a lot of short films, many long before they see the light of day. I've picked 13 shorts from across the Australian program that I feel are essential viewing at the 2013 festival. Some will rock the house while others are bold films with something to say, and yet others are by people who just keep making fantastic stuff. Some I've seen several times, a few I've never seen but have been looking forward to. They are cherry picked from within wider programs so hopefully by seeking these out you'll discover other great shorts that play alongside them.

Another great thing about St Kilda is that it's an event that takes care of both audiences and filmmakers so well (in a way that other festivals should observe - brilliant, crisp projection for a start) that many, many directors attend. Of the below films I've ascertained that at least half the filmmakers will be attending the festival, and the Astor is such an incredible place to hang around before and after the sessions that there's a good chance you can meet and chat to the filmmakers you're impressed by, all while drinking fine wine in art deco heaven. I've included an image of the cinema lounge above - where I'll be spending about half the festival no doubt.

So without further ado, here is my selection of 13 essential short films:

The story of a man's journey into a world where love is communicated through song.

This just might be my most anticipated film in the whole festival. Written and directed by Josh Wakely and with original music by former Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns, this looks epic and amazing. Watch the trailer for this below.

Friday 24 May 7:45 PM

The Astor Theatre

A guy on the pull gets taken for the ride of his life.

I've seen this and love it and can't wait for this to rock the Astor into shock. Abe Forsythe is one of the country's most exciting directors and it's nice to see him start to explore darker territory while still maintaining his wry edge.

Friday 24 May 7:45 PM

The Astor Theatre

Three-year-old Ruby doesn't let cancer stand in the way of being a child.

Summer DeRoche's short documentary The Globe Collector was one of the highlights of the 2012 festival and this year she's back with another short doco for Opening Night.

Saturday 25 May 6:45 PM

The Astor Theatre

He steals, he sells, he scores - day in, day out. But today is different.

Gun producer Polly Staniford unites with 296 Smith Street director John Evagora to create another black & white story set between the cracks of Melbourne life. 

Friday 31 May 8:15 PM

The Astor Theatre

Listen no one hit him hard out there, and I did my best to bring him around. So wipe your eyes and let's go.

From dynamic duo Gregory Erdstein and Alice Foulcher, this is a fantastic short story about repercussions. One that's best to go into knowing little, this it yet another step forward for these filmmakers and shows they are talent to keep a close eye on.

Friday 31 May 8:15 PM

The Astor Theatre

Five real people share their true stories of losing something precious and what it has taught them about living.

Director Fiona Dalwood made this short clay animation after reflecting on grief in the wake of her mother's death. I'm really looking forward to seeing this film.

Saturday 1 June 1:15 PM

The Astor Theatre

Cedric's life is just perfect. That is until his dim princess girlfriend Faith leaves him for the prospect of some battle-hardened knights.

As much as I love the work of Oh Yeah Wow, this fantastic, wryly funny clay animation short shows that Pierce Davison should be the next one to get a pile of money to make the next stop-motion Australian feature film. 

Saturday 1 June 1:15 PM

The Astor Theatre

Near a remote salt lake a father and daughter eke out a frugal existence. Their calm world is shattered with the discovery of a mysterious stranger.

Another fantastic short from Victoria, finally screening back here after making its way around the world. This is a great one. 

Saturday 1 June 3:00 PM

The Astor Theatre

Shit On the Liver (King Parrot music video)

While I could list a string of music videos here, I think Dan Farmer's strange, crazed music video for King Parrot both functions as a short film and will be a fierce shot in the arm (and face) for any festival-goer that takes themselves too seriously.