THE Made in Melbourne Film Festival (MIM) may be only three years young, but it’s already far outgrown the hopes of founder and local filmmaker Ivan Malekin.

“I wasn’t expecting it to take off so quickly, but I’m not complaining,” he laughs.

Having entered one of his own short films into Australia’s renowned short film festival, Tropfest, a few years back, Malekin was struck by the number of entrants hailing from Melbourne and figured a local version would have legs. With 60 submissions in its first year, MIM’s now up to 70 and counting.

Running over three consecutive nights, the festival kicks off at St Kilda’s Astor Theatre, with nine shorts competing for the audience vote. DV8 nightclub in the city provides the backdrop for two feature-length movies the following night, while a clutch of seven shorts rounds out the final night in the sprawling beer garden of North Carlton’s Great Northern Hotel. With everything from serious drama to sci-fi to comedy, there’s something for all tastes – and all door proceeds from the opening night are donated to SecondBite.

“It’s a great cause,” says Malekin, a former volunteer at the homeless charity. “Anything we can do to help the homeless community in Melbourne is important to me.”

With several prizes on offer, including a $1000 cheque, MIM is all about supporting new filmmakers trying to get their career kick-started. “Seeing your characters come to life on the screen became an addiction,” he admits. “When I watch my first films I cringe – they are unwatchable – but the more you do, the more you learn.”

Malekin also programs a monthly film night at Red Bennies called Short Cut, so entrants who don’t win big at MIM still stand a chance at some all-important screen time. “The more opportunities there are for filmmakers to get their work out there and get some feedback from the audience, the better,” Malekin says.

MIM’s sponsorship coordinator and fellow filmmaker Tim Ferris says the event is great for forging connections. “It’s a great networking opportunity, with each film bringing its own cast and crew. That’s how you get your start.”

Malekin agrees. “There is a big independent film community in this city, and Melbourne just embraces that.”

Film: A warm inner glow at BMW Edge

Light and dark: Short film Lucky brightens up Melbourne's nightscape. Source: Supplied

 

THE Made in Melbourne film festival is back for its second year, and features a range of interesting short films.
 

 

MADE IN MELBOURNE FILM FESTIVAL

 

Tonight, BMW Edge @ Federation Square from 9pm and tomorrow at Loop Bar (23 Meyers Place, city) from 7.30pm. For program details, visit: mim.org.au

 

WE WERE going to watch it under a real night sky. But five-minute Lucky, an animated short about city lights, will now have a warm inner glow at this week's Made in Melbourne Film Festival (MIM).

 

Festival director Ivan Malekin says the Federation Square people were worried some of the shorts in his fest were too adult for the outdoor stage.

 

So he took the indoor option and relocated to BMW Edge.

 

"The venue is spacious and comfortable with picturesque views," he says.

 

Lucky, by Brunswick filmmaker Darcy Prendergast, has the best views of all. Prendergast's night-time images of Melbourne - shot in the early hours over many months - are "painted" over with glow sticks, frame by frame.

 

The effect is wondrous, a neon dream unfolding to the soothing indie sounds of local band All India Radio.

 

 

Cinema buff dreams big for small films

Suzanne Carbone / The Age

December 1, 2010

 

 

Ivan Malekin (right) with business partner Patrick Siscar. Picture: GLENN DANIELS

ST ALBANS' Ivan Malekin is always on the lookout for locations to use as backdrops in the short films he creates with friends.

With tech-savvy friend Patrick Siscar, of Delahey, Mr Malekin will launch the Made In Melbourne short film festival this December, taking his involvement in the industry to a new level.

The festival director, Mr Malekin is hoping the festival, to be held on the first day of summer at Loop Bar in the city, will rival Sydney's renowned Tropfest and Melbourne's Angry Film Festival.

The 27-year-old studied professional writing at university but fell in love with filmmaking while helping friends on their creations.

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

He said the popularity of short films was on the rise, with a surge in community-based viewings such as the monthly West Side Shorts in Williamstown and Shorts @ Crue in South Yarra.

"Some people say it's just practice for the full-length medium but I see it as an art form in itself," Mr Malekin said.

He said that short films, apart from being cheaper and easier to make, were able to sustain a viewer's attention more easily and packed a different punch to the long-form variety.

To qualify for entry to the Made In Melbourne festival, filmmakers must be from or have made their films in Melbourne.

Films will not have to be exclusive to the festival but must run under 20 minutes in length, in any genre.

Judging on the night will be by audience representatives and money raised will go towards SecondBite, a charity that sources nutritious food for the homeless and disadvantaged.