Central Coast News

Local Central Coast Smartphone Film Fest Finalists Announced

By Geoff Sirmai Arts Publicity

Archived 12 Dec 2022 - Posted: 13 Oct 2022

Roots by Harlisha Newie-Joe

Australia’s gift to the world of filmmaking – the SmartFone Flick Fest (SF3) - returns in November
with record-breaking numbers of entries from all over the world, offering screenings in multiple categories,
a glittering gala final and heaps of special events - all to celebrate its 8th big year!

The Gala Finals will be held on Saturday 5 November at the Actors Centre Australia in Leichhardt.
A red-carpet party kicks off from 5pm with photo wall, videographer, live music and bar; then the screening and awards ceremony from 6:30pm.

The following morning the SF3 Kids Finals and Awards Ceremony kick off at 11am, followed by the SF3 Mini & Feature Film Screening at 4pm, all at the same venue.
There will also be a masterclass and panel discussion between sessions.

The festival fun continues the following weekend when – on Sunday 13th November from 12-2pm - Festival Ambassador
and top Australian director of films such as Red Dog, Slim & I and more, Kriv Stenders (pictured below left) delivers a very special masterclass.

Founded in Sydney, SF3 - where each film must be entirely created using only a smart phone or tablet
- brings a world of movie-making to the fingertips of every creative person… and a world of filmmakers to Australia and – via online screenings – back out to the world!

SF3 received more than 300 entries this year including from new sources, such as Kenya and Nigeria where festival co-founder/director Angela Blake conducted extensive zoom masterclasses.
Other new entrants included from China as well as host of wonderful politically-charged films from Central and South America.
As always, there was incredible work from around Australia as well as the USA, UK, France and further afield.

This year’s festival offers more than $50,000 in prizes across multiple categories. There are high-profile industry judges and a slew of festival Ambassadors!
The festival will be screening the work of scores of local filmmakers of all ages including three First Nations finalists who are competing for a $7000 prize from Dolby.
The first ever winner in this category, Kara Rose recently sold her 2021 SF3-winning film to SBS/NITV!

The local finalists include:

Roots by Harlisha Newie-Joe (First Nations) Point Frederick, Central Coast – Documentary
”My film is about my ancestral roots, Samoan, Niuean and Torres Strait Islander. Tracing back on their stories and their journeys. About the blood flowing through my veins, the reason my heart beats. I carry their stories while also creating my own.” Harlisha is a student at the NAISDA dance college

This article archived 12 Dec 2022