Flickerfest at The Crossing Theatre

The Flickerfest festival of short films brought the finest work of new and established directors, cinematographers and actors to the audience at The Crossing Theatre on Saturday.

The movies, ranging from a few minutes to 20 minutes, were small gems of creativity, production excellence and compelling storylines offering drama, comedy and fantasy.

Flickerfest is now in its 29th year. Each year short movies are selected from Australian and international producers and assembled into a program which goes on the road across Australia.

This year the Flickerfest selection panel chose from 3,500 entries.

The program on Saturday night had something for everyone, ranging from whimsical to thought provoking.

There are no spoilers here, it is unlikely that anyone not in the audience on Saturday will see these movies unless they go to another Flickerfest presentation at another centre.

Among the Flickerfest audience on Saturday afternoon, Fiona Oudenryn and Jess Stokes. Among the Flickerfest audience on Saturday afternoon, Fiona Oudenryn and Jess Stokes.

Andrew Bowen, Penelope Helfrich, Simon de Silva and Jennifer St Vincent Welch. Andrew Bowen, Penelope Helfrich, Simon de Silva and Jennifer St Vincent Welch.

Rachel Toohey and Kristen Williams at Flickerfest on Saturday evening. Rachel Toohey and Kristen Williams at Flickerfest on Saturday evening.

Bebe Mackey, The Crossing Theatre manager Paul Shelley and Carolyn Michell at Saturday’s Flickerfest screening. Bebe Mackey, The Crossing Theatre manager Paul Shelley and Carolyn Michell at Saturday’s Flickerfest screening.

Brooke Henderson, Pam and Geoff Foreman at Saturday’s short movie festival at The Crossing Theatre. Brooke Henderson, Pam and Geoff Foreman at Saturday’s short movie festival at The Crossing Theatre.

Flickerfest fans Dominique and Wayne Madden, Dave Larson, Angela and Gerard Lonergan, Fiona Campbell and Irene Baldwin. Flickerfest fans Dominique and Wayne Madden, Dave Larson, Angela and Gerard Lonergan, Fiona Campbell and Irene Baldwin.

But your reviewer will not give away the plots.

A drama, Tattoo, drew comment from the audience – the portrayal of a young Iranian woman simply seeking the renewal of her driver’s licence, confronted with the implacable bureaucracy and sexism of the authorities driving her to exasperation and ultimately despair and resignation.

A delightful silent short, The Egg, an award winning movie, was charming. A young girl in the day care of an elder has her eyes on an almost inaccessible chocolate Humpty Dumpty egg on top of the fridge. Ultimately she gets it.

Each of the shorts was a work of art, the professionalism and production values were outstanding.

Moviegoers enjoyed canapes and drinks from the bar at the interval between the Australian and international offerings.

Meanwhile, Narrabri Shire audiences have the opportunity to see more great films each month as Friends Flicks launch their 2020 program.

Everyone is invited to go along to The Crossing Theatre to the screenings of movies which range from classics to recent releases, from Hollywood to Bollywood.