Independent films that ‘don’t fit inside the box’ may never get a chance for a DVD or online release. But one Greek Australian film maker and exhibitor is ensuring that the public get a chance to see this alternative Australian voice on the big screen. Gregory Pakis’ brainchild Guerillafilmnite was born out of the want for Australians to get a chance to see these rare independent films through screenings at venues around Victoria.

And this Sunday, he is about to embark on his fifth Guerillfilmnite with the screening of The Silent Mangoes – the 2006 film by local Greek Australian filmmaker George Goularas. Listed in The Age’s Top Ten weekend movie events in 2012, the upcoming Guerillafilmnite screening will feature indie films and left of the field discussions. “We screen predominantly indie features, and by that we mean films that are made outside the system,” Gregory tells Neos Kosmos. “These films are usually more creative and daring in their themes with more of a personal voice.

Bigger budgeted films can’t take chances because of their higher budgetary and marketing constraints.” In Pakis’ opinion, Melbourne lacks ongoing events that focus on indie features. Even though the city enjoys a plethora of film nights, he says they mostly focus on short films. “Features excite me more than shorts,” he explains. “To make a feature takes far more commitment and skill.

To sustain an audience’s interest through a 70 minute plus story, that’s an accomplishment.” And the filmmaker would know. His 2004 movie The Garth Method – that he wrote, directed and starred in – won eight awards at film festivals in Australia and the US, amongst them Best Actor and Best Director awards. Nevertheless, a few favourite shorts will be screened on this night as well. There will also be question and answer time with both the cast and crew. These film nights provide film makers with the perfect venue for networking. Tomorrow at the Birmingham Hotel in Fitzroy, the Guerillafilmnite will be screening the mesmerizing twisted suburban fairy tale feature The Silent Mangoes. As written in the synopsis, The Silent Mangoes is a mixture of playful theatricality and lyrical cinema – part Bugs Bunny, and part Beckett.

The slightly absurdest tones of Mangoes merge with the dark surrealist world of suburban banality, to create an original and surprising narrative. A mysterious story unfolds when a young woman, Summer, invades the home and the minds of two eccentric brothers, Julian and Poe. Envy and sabotage drive this absurdest black comedy with a surrealist sting. Director George Goularas has created an unpredictable post-modern fantasy of humble proportions. Reviewer Mark la Rosa writes this of the movie: “The Silent Mangoes is full of delightful invention and wit.

The film evokes the spirit of Jacques Rivette’s Celine and Julie Go Boating in its playfulness, and Edgar Allen Poe in it’s dark and melancholy poetry. But there are so many different ideas and moods going on here, it warrants a second viewing.” Between the screenings at the Guerillafilmnite, left of field conversations relating to the films will dominate giving the audience a chance to reveal their inner film aficionado. Guerillafilmnite.com was the recipient of two Short Poppy awards in 2006 and was listed in The Age’s Top Ten Movie Events. For more information, contact Gregory Pakis 0402 285 479, or via email info@guerillafilmnite.com. For the movie schedule, visit www.guerillafilmnite.com/screenings