By Anna Bourozikas
The Setting Sun Film Festival (SSFF) showcases Melbourne’s western suburbs’ people, stories and large talented community of filmmakers.
In its eight years, it has now grown in popularity to become the premier international film festival in the west and one of the largest short film festivals in Melbourne.
It screens every year at Yarraville’s Sun Theatre, one of Time Out’s Top 50 cinemas in the world. It screens about 12 sold out sessions over seven days. For one week every year, Yarraville Village is full of filmmakers from around Victoria excitedly viewing their films on the big screen.
SSSF screens films from all genres and covers all themes. The first film festival in Australia, to present a cultural diversity award, it has been designed from the beginning with innovative programs and awards designed to feature the reality of Melbourne’s vibrantly diverse society.
It was also the first festival to have a female filmmakers’ program with almost half of all films now entered coming from female or female identifying filmmakers. As the reputation of the festival has grown, it has also attracted quality award winning films from around world.
In 2020 and 2021, the SSFF successfully pivoted to a hybrid festival to adjust to a Covid reality. While nothing beats going to the cinema to watch films, the online festival increased the SSFF’s audience, allowing us to reach people from over 41 countries.
In 2022, we look forward to being able to present our ninth festival at the Sun Theatre. We look forward to Opening Night and seeing everyone, particularly our filmmakers and loyal film goers, who we have missed.
Anna Bourozikas is the Founder and Director of the Setting Sun Film Festival Festival. SSFF is now accepting film submission, deadline is 31 January 2022. SSFF runs from the 5-12 May 2021 at the Sun Theatre Yarraville.
For more go to : www.settingsunshortfilmfestival.com.au
