On a dark Melbourne night in October, threatening rain, I joined my savvy film student friends Kiri and Claire for a screening at 1000 £ Bend in Lonsdale St. This wasn’t unusual. We think of ourselves as fairly savvy film ladies and we’ve attended many a film screening at Nova and MIFF before. We are no strangers to oh-so-classy film-themed dress ups, pre film talks and post film applauses, not to mention hovering near the candy bar wondering if it would offend the savvy film crowd to buy the popcorn we so dearly crave. This October evening was, however, a little bit different and not just for the cider handed to us at the door. Yes, cider, no popcorn here. So that’s what the savvy film crowd is into. Okay, I could like it here.
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| From Michael Chuang and Luke Graham's Braille |
We were at a screening of brand new Aussie film Braille by young filmmakers Matthew Chuang and Luke Graham. The night opened with talks from representatives of the film industry, including President of the Australian Film Critics Association Peter Krautz, and ended with a panel Q&A from the filmmakers themselves. The audience was young, confidently arty and unperturbed by such production glitches as the momentary interruption to the screening from deafening rain on what is apparently the tin roof of the venue (Ah Melbourne weather!). The screening was the first installment of the Digital Independant Cinema Exhibition (DiCE), a new program of independent film screenings initiated by Melbourne filmmaker Mark Lipkin. DiCE is part of a current trend popping up all around the city, forming entire events around singular screenings, finding new ways to engage audiences and promoting dialogue around film.
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| From Michael Chuang and Luke Graham's Braille |
Screening events, which provide more than just screenings and usually involve cider, talks from directors and creatives and other significant film-types, are introducing broader audiences to films we may otherwise have no chance of seeing. Mark says that while DiCEis about creating night-out events around screenings it is also about supporting the Indie film industry, which is a vital stepping-stone for young filmmakers into the main industry.
Mark has himself made his own fair share of independent films. In a high expense environment of severely limited financial resources marketing and promotion is usually the first sacrifice in the pursuit of high artistic goals. DiCE aims to help filmmakers break down barriers between their films and potential audiences, improving the capacity of camera-shy artists for public relations and giving broader audiences access to Australian stories on screen.
The independent industry is the way that Australian filmmakers get the hands on experience they need to develop into directors such as David Michôd (director of Animal Kingdom) and Sean Byrne (director of The Loved Ones). Our film industry has such a significant place on our artistic landscape in unashamedly telling Australian stories that are vital to helping us to better understand ourselves and our culture, such as Samson and Delilah and Balibo. Events like DiCE are not only supporting the first steps and first films of future greats in our industry, they are turning screenings into great nights out for both savvy film experts and newbies. Ticket price includes cider, but leave your popcorn craving at the door.
The next DiCE screening is Lee Galea's Les Adolescent on Tuesday 23rd November.
Check out the trailer online, where you can also purchase screening tickets. Tickets can also be purchased at the venue on the night.
DiCE take submissions of work all the time so check that out on the website too at www.thedice.com.au.
