The west’s third annual Setting Sun Short Film Festival (SSSFF) is in its final stages, with a high-quality program fit to stand with the big boys.

Hosted at Yarraville’s Sun Theatre, the four-day event is the largest of its kind in the area, growing yearly and attracting the attention of filmmakers, cinephiles and locals alike.

Festival director Anna Bourozikas is ecstatic with the festival’s progress since debuting in 2013, and the high calibre of entries.

“This festival is only as good as the filmmakers who enter their films. This year is our best yet. We received films from emerging and talented and award-winning experienced filmmakers,” Ms Bourozikas told Neos Kosmos.
“The film industry in Australia is quite small and it’s sort of hard to have a career, so having film festivals like this helps them get credit and the experience they need to hopefully develop a career where they can earn a living.”

This year the event attracted 60 entries, among which were a number by local filmmakers, including works by students.

This year’s Setting Sun Short Film Festival poster.

Organisers also managed to successfully increase female participation by 35 per cent thanks to new program, The Rouge, dedicated to showcasing their talents and to redress discriminatory imbalances, under Screen Australia’s Gender Matters Initiative.

Selected to feature as part of the program is 25.12, a short directed and produced by vice-president of Women in Film and Television, Victoria and co-curator of the Greek Short Film Festival Melbourne, Stella Dimadis.

Based on a book by local Yarravillian Thanasis Papastergiou, the storyline follows a gentleman who yearns for the connection of family.

While lunch at a restaurant would suffice, what he ascertains is that in order to discover his reality he must explore his illusions.

“The entries are incredibly diverse,” assures Ms Bourozikas. “From sci-­fi to a period drama, quality documentaries to animation. And of course, there’s plenty of the quirky comedy Setting Sun-­goers expect from their festival.
“We’ll be showing films made by experienced, well-­known indie filmmakers as well as emerging talent,” she says, adding that several of the short-listed films have been commended at other prestigious festivals, while others will be making their big-screen début.

Set to commence next week, highlights include the Opening Night Gala, which will be hosted by comedian and actor Matt Quartermaine, while prestigious film producer Sue Maslin will open the program with a special televised recording.

Young cinephiles are also being encouraged to get involved with the Rising Sun program – a kids day at the Footscray Town Hall where two free alternating programs will screen films made by primary and secondary schools across Victoria and interstate.

The festival is sure to conclude with a bang, bringing the village alive with the announcement of the festival winners, which by the sounds of things is sure to be a difficult decision for the panel.

The Setting Sun Short Film Festival is at the Sun Theatre, Yarraville April 14-17. For tickets and further information visit the Sun Theatre website: www.settingsun.com.au