Film-making is an expensive exercise; that is why film-makers seek support – from government sources and/or private sponsors. But, there are also film-makers who fund their work themselves.

Electric Shorts showcases work produced in this way and celebrates the spirit of these independent types.

It is a night dedicated purely to screening short films funded solely by their makers, organised as part of the Fringe Festival.

“It’s non-competitive,” says Jim Stamatakos, co-founder and festival director of Electric Shorts.

There are no awards or prizes, just the chance to see films in the relaxed atmosphere of a bar.”

Jim, an independent film-maker, initiated the event six years ago with fellow film-maker Leonie Somerville-Smith, when they found out that Fringe no longer had a film event.

They approached Fringe to see if they were interested in having one again; they were and Electric Shorts was born.

During the first year, they invited film-makers who were friends. The following year, they advertised for entries.

“Each year,” says Jim, “we get more and more entries.”

Genres represented include documentary, music clip, horror, drama, experimental. This year there is also comedy, crime and animation.

The main criterion for selection is that the film has been fully funded by the film-maker. A panel of four (including Jim) select enough films of interest under a half an hour each to fill a two-hour program. This year fourteen films have been chosen.

Jim thinks that one of the reasons film-makers fund films themselves is the desire to retain artistic control, so “they can get their artistic vision out there. If you receive funding, you end up having to compromise.”

Other reasons are the difficulties associated with securing funding, such as the number of applicants to government funding programmes outweighing the funds available and the declining number of private investors.”

“Finance is a big issue,” comments Jim,” but it’s not the only one facing film-makers.

Time is also big.

“Finding a cast and crew and then organizing the actual filming with a number of people takes time and energy. “Film-makers juggle work and other commitments with trying to make films.”

But over the last decade, there have been big changes that have made it easier.

“New technology, new equipment and processes are making it easier for people to make films.

“They’re also making it easier for people to get their work out there through the Internet, mobile phones etc.

When I started out, you needed a festival to pick up your film or you had to organize a private screening to show your work.”
Now, there are initiatives like Electric Shorts.

One more way, if you are a film-maker, to screen your work, and if you have an interest in film, to view work you may not otherwise have a chance to.

Electric Shorts Wednesday, October 7 at the Loop Bar 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne