Vanessa de Largie | Topic Media | December 5, 2011
Every year we witness the rise of new and emerging Australian film makers, having their films showcased nationally and internationally, touching audiences worldwide.
This week I spoke to the Festival Director, Ivan Malekin creator of ‘The Made in Melbourne Film Festival’ (MIM) which is in it’s third consecutive year.
Ivan, what inspired you to start a festival like MIM?
I began Made In Melbourne in 2009. The idea came from travelling up to Tropfest as part of a film that made the finals. I noticed that half the films in the competition hailed from Melbourne and I wondered if there was enough interest and filmmaking talent in our city to sustain a festival. The only way to find out was to try it so I launched MIM and people got right behind it in the first year. We received over sixty submissions and over one hundred people attended the sole night of the festival, packing out the Loop Bar.
The following year one of the filmmakers who submitted asked about putting on a compilation of MIM films at Fed Square as that was where he worked and he was in search of content. That got me wondering about holding the festival at Fed Square. Took the chance, got the sponsorship, and it really took off in 2010 – 300 people packed BMW Edge for the screening, over 100 the following night at Loop (the festival had now expanded to two nights), MIM was here to stay.
What can cinephiles and film buffs expect from this year’s MIM?
This year we have expanded to three nights, are including more variety in the line-up (a couple of features as well as shorts), So really looking forward to it and hoping the success continues.
The opening night will be held at the magical Astor Theatre. A highlight of the festival is the stunning drama Deeper Than Yesterday, a film that has travelled all over the world and picked up numerous awards, including best short film at both Sundance (started by none other than Robert Redford) & Cannes.
Also, make sure you attend the film premiere of Dace Decklan: Private Eye, a feature film by the Festival Director of MIM Ivan Malekin.
The festival concludes with a closing night party under the stars at the Great Northern Hotel, plus Q & A with filmmakers, prizes, food and drinks.
Support local Melbourne talent and get yourself to the Made In Melbourne Film Festival. Tix are sold at the door and only $10. All money raised will be donated to SecondBite, a dynamic not-for-profit organisation committed to making a positive difference by redistributing surplus food to people in need.
Visit the Made In Melbourne website for program and festival information.