Below is a story from the Brimbank Leader about the 2009 Made In Melbourne Film Festival.

 

STALBANS'Ivan Malekin is always on the lookout for locations to use asbackdropsin the short films he creates with friends.  With tech-savvyfriendPatrick Siscar, of Delahey, Mr Malekin will launch the Made InMelbourneshort film festival this December, taking his involvement intheindustry to a new level.

 

The festivaldirector,Mr Malekin is hoping the festival, to be held on the firstday of summerat Loop Bar in the city, will rival Sydney's renownedTropfest andMelbourne's Angry Film Festival.  The 27-year-old studiedprofessionalwriting at university but fell in love with filmmakingwhile helpingfriends on their creations.

 

“I like the scriptwriting but enjoy seeing it all come together on film,” Mr Malekin said.

 

Hesaidthe popularity of short films was on the rise, with a surgeincommunity-based viewings such as the monthly West Side ShortsinWilliamstown and Shorts @ Crue in South Yarra.   “Some people sayit'sjust practice for the full-length medium but I see it as an artform initself,” Mr Malekin said.

 

He said thatshortfilms, apart from being cheaper and easier to make, were abletosustain a viewer's attention more easily and packed a differentpunchto the long-form variety.  To qualify for entry to the MadeInMelbourne festival, filmmakers must be from or have made their filmsinMelbourne.  Films will not have to be exclusive to the festivalbutmust run under 20 minutes in length, in any genre.