The best filmmaking in Regional Victoria will be on showcase at the biennial Poco Film Festival from 02 - 03 August.
There is indeed a place in the world for three-hour movies. They’re a commitment, for sure, but being swept up in a different world and taken along for the ride can be highly rewarding. To quote Kevin Costner’s reaction to a Mean Tweet about the length of his movies, “They’re good movies, where ya going?”. There are times, however, when you just want the job done quickly. Get in and get out before you have a chance to finish your popcorn.
The Poco Film Festival sets out to deliver the best of Australian filmmaking to a regional audience – all with bite-sized film snacks. Documentary, music videos, comedy, drama, horror, animation and sci-fi have all been celebrated across the years, with awards for Best Short, Jury Prize and Best Student Film. From some 250 entries, your 25 finalists are below. Up to 15 will be screened on the night.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Bird Drone
Genre: Short, Drama, Animation, Romance, Narrative
Duration: 8:55 minutes.
Synopsis: A lonely seagull struggles to accept the object of his affection is a human-operated drone with a limited battery life.
Victim
Genre: Drama
Duration: 14:05 minutes
Synopsis: A mother’s love for her son is tested by his increasingly disturbing behaviour.
Victim – Trailer from Robin Summons on Vimeo.
Don’t Come In… Yet
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Disability
Duration: 9:39 minutes
Synopsis: Jake is a wheelchair user whose overbearing father keeps a sharp eye on him. Now 18, and left alone for the first time, he is joined by his best friend June.
Room for One More
Genre: Comedy
Duration: 7 minutes
Synopsis: Death comes knocking on Alex’s door when an entire home collapses on him. Will he use his final moments to reconnect with loved ones, or pitch a film idea to an old friend?
Sweet Juices
Genre: Romance, Crime, Absurdist, Magical Realism, Food, Heist
Duration: 14:58 minutes
Synopsis: Saucy vomit, stolen bicycles are unhinged government officials are left in their wake as cooks Shirong and Tony set out to clear their name.
Sweet Juices – Short Film Trailer from Sejon Im on Vimeo.
Bald Future
Genre: Comedy
Duration: 12:10 minutes
Synopsis: Peter believes that his at-work problems stem from his baldness. When Brad and his magnificent mane join the team, Peter’s worst nightmare begins to come true. Starring Mark Bonanno from Aunty Donna, this Dark Comedy is a must see.
Self-Portrait
Genre: Drama
Duration: 6 minutes
Synopsis: A painter puts their skills to the test by painting portraits of dying patients for their funeral.
Marungka Tjalatjunu (Dipped in Black)
Genre: Drama, Documentary
Length: 24 minutes
Synopsis: Yankunytjatjara man Derik Lynch embarks on a road trip from city life in Adelaide back to his remote Aṉangu community to seek spiritual healing.
Marungka Tjalatjunu (Dipped In Black) / Trailer from Matthew Thorne on Vimeo.
Not Dark Yet
Genre: Drama
Duration: 9:42 minutes
Synopsis: An elderly man is confined to his room at an aged care facility. When his son abruptly leaves, he struggles with his departure.
Mud Crab
Genre: Drama
Duration: 12:25 minutes
Synopsis: The bystander effect is examined as a woman recounts the traumatising assault she witnessed of a young man in a small coastal town.
Sushi Noh
Genre: Horror, Comedy, Drama
Duration: 18:12 minutes
Synopsis: A young girl’s imagination runs into nightmare territory when terrors of a kitchen appliance manifest into reality.
Teacups
Genre: Animation, Documentary, Short
Duration: 7:35 minutes
Synopsis: For almost half a century, Don Ritchie has approached those contemplating suicide at a nearby clifftop with his palms facing up. Voiced by Hugo Weaving.
Prawn
Genre: Drama, Teen
Duration: 14:21 minutes
Synopsis: Eliza is back at high school and eagerly awaiting her first kiss, until a brazen boy crushes her innocence.
Voice Activated
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Duration: 12 minutes
Synopsis: A florist has an important delivery to make. The trouble is he has a stutter and must find a way to cooperate with a voice-activated car.
Voice Activated – Clip from Steve Anthopoulos on Vimeo.
Fuck Me, Richard
Genre: Drama
Duration: 14:59 minutes
Synopsis: While recovering from a broken leg, Sally finds comfort in online connection Richard. But when Richard starts asking Sally for money for his ailing mother, all is questioned.
Wonder Down Under
Genre: Comedy, Mockumentary, Australian
Duration: 14:27 minutes
Synopsis: Once upon a time, Barb Barrett was a superhero. Now, in her fifties, she must face her toughest battle yet: re-joining the workforce.
Myth
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Family
Duration: 11 minutes
Synopsis: Seven-year-old Sophie braves the world after witnessing her mother being lured away by a strange being.
Snapshot
Genre: Coming of Age, Drama
Duration: 14:10 minutes
Synopsis: When a video of 18-year-old Sophie is posted online without her consent, her younger sister, Alex, is the only one to jump to her aid.
Yeah the Boys
Genre: Drama, Dance, Comedy
Duration: 8:11 minutes
Synopsis: Six young men are enjoying each other’s company, drinking away the afternoon and night. They emote through movement, not words.
Jia
Genre: Drama
Duration: 15 minutes
Synopsis: Ming is a grieving Chinese mother on a road trip with young Caucasian Eric, who she discovers was in a relationship with her late son.
Jia_Trailer from Vee Shi on Vimeo.
Darwin Story
Genre: Animation
Duration: 9 minutes
Synopsis: Lee’s mum has taken ill, so he returns to Darwin from his London home. Giving the pair a chance to reflect on the past, questions about the place she calls home are asked.
Still Life
Genre: Drama
Duration: 13:34 minutes
Synopsis: Eloise receives an inopportune phone call from an old friend, bringing out long-dormant feelings as she finds herself in the midst of great change.
Favourites
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Duration: 5:17 minutes
Synopsis: After a family camping trip turns deadly, two parents face an impossible choice.
Still (2022)
Genre: Drama
Duration: 11:55 minutes
Synopsis: An immigrant leading an isolated life is struggling to capture the perfect street photograph – that is, until one of his subjects confronts him.
What’s in a Name?
Genre: Melodrama
Duration: 9:09 minutes
Synopsis: A young couple rediscover fractures from a long history while taking part in a documentary.
What’s in a Name? | Teaser from Kalu Oji on Vimeo.
Poco Film Festival will take place at the new home of The Goods Shed, Ballarat on 3 August . Behind the Lens, Poco Talks, will take place on 2 August. Further information can be found through https://www.pocofilmfest.com.au/
