The 6th annual SmartFone Flick Fest 2020 (SF3) has tonight climaxed with a glittering Gala Awards Final, incorporating SF3 Kids, SF360, Feature films section and the new ISO category.
Film-makers and film lovers alike gathered at the Event Cinemas in George Street, Sydney from 10am to 7pm to attend the red carpet premiere, view the mostly short films (all made and edited on phones or tablets) and enjoy the Official Selection awards ceremony where almost 30 prizes were awarded.
Best Film and Best Director went to Beraat Gokkus from France for The Lost Pen. Beraat is based in Paris but is an exiled journalist from Turkey. He made this film in the Maison de Journalistes which is a home in Paris where exiled journalists live and are helped once they flee their home countries because of fears for their safety. All the actors in his film are exiled journalists or actors, from Syria, Burundi, the Ukraine, Yemen and more.] Beraat said: “Thanks again to the jury and festival directors Angela and Ali. It’s also big news for freedom of speech! I accept this awards in the name of all journalists who are in exile or in gaol – just because they did their job.”
Local major award winners included Sydney’s Peter Majarich’s Best Cinematography award for Invasion, Jack Ellis & Annabel Harte’s best actor/actress awards for Hollow Hands and Hen’s Night respectively; NY-based currently Bondi-bound Lee-at Bruhl’s SF3 Founders’ Flick Pick for her hilarious (and true!) Australian Hotel Quarantine story and composer Anisha Thomas’ Best Australian Creative award for her original score on The Intruders. Best local ISO film went to Mosman first-time filmmaker Anne Taylor for The Beautiful Picture.
International winners in other categories came from El Salvador, Russia, Ireland, India, Germany, the Netherlands and the USA.
SF3 Kids winners included 15yo Greg Whittenbury of Kew, Vic (Best Film), 15yo Olivia Blakemore of Medlow Bath, NSW (Best Director and Best Cinematography), Sebastian Woods of Hammond Park, WA (Best Screenplay), 12yo Finn Jennings of Sydney and 11yo Amelie Kordina-Baker, Clovelly, NSW (Best Actor/Actress).
Winners were awarded various prizes from our sponsors including Struman lenses, Rode microphones, StoryBoard Quick storyboarding app, Associate Memberships to the various category appropriate guilds, AFI/AACTA membership, mentorships and various training opportunities.
The winning films and a full program of over 80 smartphone finalist/shortlisted films are still available to view online until the 25th October.
Phillip Noyce presents his film directors’ masterclass on October 18; plus, over the final weekend (23th and 24th October) SF3 screens Jason van Genderen’s “Going Viral” workshop through the online festival site.
People’s Choice voting on the Official Selection program commenced immediately following the Gala Awards screening on the SF3 Facebook page, where film fans can “LIKE” the poster of their favourite film.
Festival co-founder and director Angela Blake was thrilled by the huge Australia-wide and international participation. “Regardless of challenges and restrictions SF3 proceeded and provided a platform for people to share their stories and experiences of living through the pandemic.”
“The creativity of filmmakers aged 6 to 76 – in the most pressing of circumstances – has been inspiring!” added her co-director Ali Crew.
Viewing and voting continues at www.sf3.com.au
Featured image : ‘The Beautiful Picture’