Filmonik Short Film Night, Manchester
Report by Stephen Fairbanks
Filmonik is Manchester’s most individual short-film night. The creators describe Filmonik as an ‘open mic’ for independent filmmakers; ‘providing a platform for filmmakers outside of the selection-based world of film festivals.’ The unperturbed and unpretentious feel has attracted regulars and newcomers of both filmmakers and filmfans; and has allowed Filmonik to go on and celebrate its first birthday. With one-year-olds, of course, there are still some teething problems; the microphone whistles cheerfully to itself and there is a brief problem with ‘a wire’, but the audience; young, old, bearded or bespectacled, sit patiently in the communion of the event.
As Filmonik is a non-discriminatory affair, it allows for filmmakers of any pedigree to screen their films. This system relies heavily on trust, and requires the filmmakers to appear when scheduled, have their film ready to go, and have the Filmonik logo and screening number appear at the end. Any filmmakers failing to adhere to these rules results in a Fight-Club style shirts / shoes off bare-knuckle ruckus with host and co-founder Jamie. This isn’t true, obviously, but Filmonik have introduced a set of ‘forfeits’ for such naughty rule breakers. One of tonight’s filmmakers has been given the forfeit of creating and screening a themed short of the audience’s preference. The general gist is that people want to see a film on ‘How to create a jumper out of belly button fluff’ or ‘Something to do with penguins…’.
Creators Jamie & Goz told Close-Up Film afterwards that the forfeits have worked well over the last 12 months, as it gives the chance for fellow filmmakers and audience members to interact and gives the forfeited the chance to try fresh ideas and improve as a filmmaker. The night sees a broad array of alluring films; starting with ‘Marathon Maggot’ a well captured spoof documentary concerning a regional, heavily mulleted, School Caretaker in his quest to raise money for the kiddies; starring the faultless comedic talents of Ryan McDermott. Two films from Shaun Hayton and Reach For The Dream Films are also screened; one called ‘Shushhhh’ a horror based on a prank phone-call and ‘Vanity George’; a comedy about how being rude to children and wearing wigs may lead to penis loss.
Worth noting is Brian Jones’ ‘The Other Side’a story of guilt that propels the protagonist into a perpetual wormhole; and the slickly produced ‘Star Struck’; a tale of two belligerent magicians warring over a young lady; but the highlight of the evening is Jack Greenslave, a student from Devon who travelled to Manchester’s Filmonik to showcase his film. Greenslave’s ‘First Kiss’ astutely combines gorgeous scribble-animation and an emotive piano-led soundtrack to softly depict a young girl’s tragic tale of childhood romance, (damn that schoolbag!).
Once the films have been screened, tongues start waggling and the audience start to mingle; each discussing tonight’s showcase. Co-creator Jamie remembers he left his mix CD in the machine and runs off to stop Aphex Twin ruining the friendly ambiance. Filmonik, then, is an ego-less vessel for aspiring filmmakers of all experiences, ages, shapes and sizes to become involved in the scene, making contacts, colleagues, gaining information and gathering responses from their films: 2006 could see Filmonik grow and grow. |
