SIPFest (Shorts in Paradise Film Festival)

SIPFest (Shorts in Paradise Film Festival) was one of the more unique experiences I’ve had on the Gold Coast and really showed how the Gold Coast is growing up. A lot of long term Gold Coast residents have started noticing the shift away from the party centric image that has influenced images of Surfers Paradise for years. There has been more opportunity to experience culture through food, music, film and art, with further proof of development in LightRail construction and redevelopment of the waterfront. To personify the Gold Coast, he’s leaving behind his 20s and moving into his 30s, where goon sacks and 4 am bedtimes are left behind and fine wines and dinner parties are the new norm. Not that you still won’t see the party-goers in tight dresses and wobbly high heels, but there’s certainly opportunity for a more refined cultural experience in notorious Surfers.

The range of Australian talent on display at SIPFEST was truly spectacular. And to witness it on the sandy shores of Surfers Paradise under a sparkling night sky made for a cosy night that inspired random declarations of “this is so cute!” and “is that a screen on the beach?” from passer-bys. Fourteen films were screened at SIPFest, ranging between four and fifteen minutes each, but the standouts for me were The Alien Boy from director Miles Szanto and By a Loved One from director “The Cameralla”.

The Alien Boy epitomises the spirit of short filmmaking, as it is timely, emotionally connects with the audience and has an excellent cast and outstanding cinematography. The film depicts a young Hungarian immigrant who is bullied at school because of he is racially different in a predominantly Anglo-Saxon area.  After watching a news report about riots over boat people policies and the labelling of immigrants as “aliens”, he decides he must be an alien too and decides to leave his family to go to his home planet – where he can be “the same”.

The Alien Boy is anchored in social relevance and presents a light hearted view of a divisive and highly contentious issue polarising the Australian public and parliament. Themes of friendship and acceptance permeate the fabric of the film, highlighting the marginalised side of the refugee debate and encouraging the audience to relate to the plight of these people. Structurally, the film illustrates a high degree of professionalism and excellent use of cinematography, acting and editing. While the film didn’t place, it touched me and made me think beyond the ending of the film. And really, shouldn’t that be the ultimate goal of filmmaking?

Watch interview with director Miles Szanto here.

The second standout was By a Loved One. It examines the common phenomenon of facebook rape or “frape”, where a friend or family member updates your Facebook status to publicly humiliate you (I’m sure we’ve all been there, some being far cleverer than others. Example: “I’m gay”). This is a fresh look at social media using humour to connect viewers to the subject matter. Unlike many short films which tend to fall back on dramatic themes or oft-used clichés, By a Loved One breaks the mould in a mockumentary style that is anything but cliché. It is typical Australian comedy that may not translate to another culture, but definitely had the audience in stitches.

Watch By a Loved One in full here.

SIPFest was an amazing night in Surfers Paradise and showcases how great a Gold Coast holiday can be – especially during special events such as the Surfers Paradise festival. To be close to all the action of Surfers with central locality to major theme parks choose Southport accommodation. And with number #1 rating from Trip Advisor, Aqualine Apartments is really the best choice!

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