Something So Lovely
Join with us to celebrate and view the premiere of the award-winning short film 'Something So Lovely' by your organiser and host, Flossy Waters.
As well as seeing Flossy's masterpiece, you will get to see the best of local up-and-coming film makers as we showcase the winning entries from the short film competition which has had a fabulous response. Films will be shown throughout our festival evening with some time for each filmmaker to introduce their work.
AND, as if that's not brilliant enough, we also have some fabulous special guests coming to talk to us and open up the conversation on the arts, creativity, and mental health.
The bar will be open., the atmosphere will be warm, relaxed and informal, and the company will be the best in town!
We have a 'pay what you can' system in place for this event, so please choose the Option that works for you and come join the fun!
Film Festival Movie Night and Celebration
The evening will involve screenings of a shortlist of films, the winners of films submitted to the competition via the submissions link, talks by industry professionals (some exciting names to announce soon…!), and the premiere of Flossy’s beautiful creation that is: SOMETHING SO LOVELY, held at GOLDFINCH on the evening of 13th December and sponsored by Varley Memorial Award.
Flossy says:
The event is about bringing together young storytellers and creatives. Holding a space to for conversation and celebration (and watching some good telly!)
Something so lovely is a vulnerable exploration of a busy mind. A collection of Flossy’s personal diary entries, brief descriptions and worries put together in the form of poetry and told from the point of view of her (also 22-year-old childhood teddy bear) Blue Bat (played by Jack Etheridge). Blue Bat struggles with a recent ADHD diagnosis, depression and anxiety. This is exacerbated by his looming graduation date and what might become of his ‘grown-up’ life that is unknown. He calls on his younger self (played by Tommy and Teddy) for comfort and reassurance in this wobbly time.
In discussion Goldfinch Gary asked Flossy about what lies behind the beautiful animation -
“You can enjoy this film for the visuals alone, but there’s something much deeper in the narrative - can you tell us a bit about that?”
I wanted this film to explore the darker sides of my own mental health journey and the struggles of not knowing where I belong in the world, being at the very start of adulthood. It was important for me to represent this very serious, adult narrative with a childlike and almost naive visual language to create a sense of comfort amongst the chaos.
“This comes across in the film so well, and these are important subjects, and so important to be open about. It’s dark, but I can feel the sense of hope in there?”
That’s the thing. It’s dark because it’s a dark place out there for a lot of people. I am 22 and am so scared of what comes next in my life, but yes, there’s always hope, and always a pathway to a better place, and people out there ready to help you find your way, so that what comes next for people could really be ‘something so lovely’.
“I can’t imagine what goes in to creating a film like this. It’s more than just painting!”
I hand made the sets, puppets, rigs. I learnt how to sound, light and edit this and combined digital with traditional stop frame animation. It was a great learning experience, and a mix of the creative and the practical skills.
“So, as our Goldfinch ‘Artist in Residence’ we of course love you and know how talented you are, and we also know how difficult it can be for you to put yourself out there. How are you feeling about this event, your premiere?”
Such mixed feelings. I can’t wait to share this with everyone. I’m proud of it, and feel it is important to present these issues in whatever way we can, and this is my way. But I’m also very scared!
SEND ME YOUR CREATIONS…!
Flossy Says…
I want you to send me your work, short films, with themes surrounding mental health and wellness, dismantling stereotypes and taboos.
The link to submit is below (and also in Flossy’s Instagram Bio).
You have until the 31st October when a panel of judges will pick the official selection. All works selected in the festival will be paid a flat fee in the form of gift vouchers for Goldfinch and you will have the opportunity to present your work to an audience, including industry special guests, to be announced soon!!