Sydney’s horror fans can at last whet their appetite for blood and gore with Flickerfest’s first screening of the Short Bites of Horror showcase.
Seven homegrown and international short horror films will make up a special Friday the 13th screening in Sydney’s iconic Bondi Theathre Pavilion.
As Sydney’s only international short film festival, Flickerfest is now into its 21st year with a record 2200 films submitted and 108 selected.
Festival director Bronwyn Kidd told City Hub that audiences can expect a light hearted romp through this years horror showcase, chosen in line with the Festival’s Jaws theme.
“Each year we do showcase programs, and with our Jaws theme we thought we’d have a bit of fun and Short Bites of Horror is a kinda crazy Friday 13th program,” she said.
“It’s not for the faint hearted or the squeamish but that said it’s a really fun setup. I’m the type of person who covers my eyes at most scary things and there’s nothing in this program that freaks me out.”
“The horror genre seems to have had a real resurgence among young film makers in recent times. There seems to be more of these type of films out there and horror is one that people are particularly having a lot of fun with I think.”
First off the block in Short Bites of Horror is New Zealand director James Cunningham’s genre parody, Rotting Hill.
As zombie’s drive humanity to extinction in rural New Zealand, two star crossed zombie lovers find each other in amongst the carnage and cannibalism.
Anna Hutchison, star of the 2009 Underbelly series A Tale of Two Cities, plays the lead of Lizzy who falls in love with the zombie Gary, Jason Smith best known from his time spent on Home and Away.
In a scene reminiscent of The Lady and the Tramp, the two undead romantics share a kiss as they devour what remains of farmer Bruce’s intestines.
James Cunningham told City Hub the zombie chemistry between the two love struck lead characters, extended off set as well.
“They were actually boyfriend and girlfriend. They were convincingly in love and they were just enjoying themselves so much. It was lots of fun on set,” Director James Cunningham said.
FlickerFest’s Short Bites of Horror kicks off at 9pm on Friday the 13th of Janurary 2012, rated MA 15+.
For more info and ticket purchases head to www.flickerfest.com.au
By Alex Pittaway
