FLASHBACK

16 Nov 2018

Students of Film, Screen and Animation are always pushing the boundaries of style, genre and technical and narrative excellence. Whether it’s riveting dramas, mind-bending animations, side-splitting comedies or thought-provoking documentaries, the works of QUT graduates – many who have gone on to become leaders in the field – make a big impact.

CreateX delves into the archive to find a range of compelling productions from the cutting-edge creators over two decades of making movies. From the collection, we find the early works of many established Australian screen talents, including six-time finalist at Tropfest Michael Noonan, AACTA award winner Lucy Gaffy, in-demand director Tom Noakes and Los Angeles based TV showrunner Aaron Catling.

This program was curated by QUT Film, Television and Digital Media Lecturer Dr Phoebe Hart.

Content Warning
The Flashback programme includes the presentation of material that is restricted (R 18+) or may otherwise be considered offensive. This material includes sexual references, offensive language, nudity, violence, alcohol, and drug references. People under the age of 18 are not permitted to view restricted materials. 

A 1999 comedy written and directed by Michael Noonan, this cheeky mockumentary follows athlete Kip Shearer, a top chance for the Sydney 2000, whose chosen track and field event is skipping. Featuring interviews with Olympic great Jane Fleming. "There were five us in the crew and we'd all seen and loved Peter Jackson's 'Forgotten Silver'... so we wanted to do something like that, but with an Aussie twist. The Olympics in Sydney were approaching and it just felt like the perfect fit. We sat around for hours trying to come up with a sport and then the DP said: How about skipping? Everyone laughed and we were on our way. It was the first real film for most of us on the crew and we were fortunate to have some great actors, people I still use in films today. The celebrities we got -- Bruce McAvaney and Jane Flemming -- were incredibly generous. We drive to Sydney to shoot them, then drove back the next day to put their shots in the final edit. It was a blast. A shoot none of us will ever forget." - Michael Noonan, Director
2003 Drama by Aaron Catling & Celeste Fairlie. What if Brisbane came under terrorist attack and you only had 10 minutes to live? Director Aaron Catling says, “I started my time at QUT with a vague dream of finding a way into the film and TV industry. I left as a storyteller who had found my life's purpose.”
2006 Drama by Tom Noakes. Set in post WW1 Europe, Eloise’s escapist passion for playing the violin leads her to a peculiar inventor named Julian, who offers Eloise the chance to become the architect of her very own world. Best Overall Film at the Queensland New Filmmakers Award. Tom Noakes says of his time at university, “QUT afforded myself and other students the room to experiment and fail. And I can't stress how important that space to do so was to our filmic education.”
2006 Drama by Will Goodfellow & Debbie Thompson. Youth worker Sebastian faces a dark past when he seeks out a street kid who has attacked his own father. Stars Christopher Sommers. Winner of Best Sound and Best Producer at the 2007 Queensland New Filmmaker Awards
2006 Documentary by Lucy Gaffy & Debbie Thompson. The story of Ron West, who founded the iconic Majestic cinema in Pamona, Queensland. Winner of Best New Female Filmmaker and Best Tertiary Documentary at the Queensland New Filmmakers Awards.
Documentary by Jill Robinson, Tara Wise and Doc Lyons. In 1965, at the age of 3 months, Zeitha Murphy was removed from the care of her Aboriginal mother and placed into St. Vincent’s Orphanage in Nudgee, Brisbane. Winner of St Kilda Film Festival “Under the Radar” competition and Best Documentary at Canberra Short Film Festival. Jill Robinson, director, says of this powerful documentary, “the theme of identity is a significant element that has been explored throughout this film, alongside fulfilment through self-belief and determination. Also exploring the connection and displacement of two entirely different societies, caucasian and indigenous, Zeitha learns to carefully navigate these parts of her life. The overall mood and aesthetic of this documentary reflects Zeitha’s vibrant personality, her love for life, her family and her culture.
A 2011 Documentary by Tanika Pratt. Tanika examines her experience with her mother, who has borderline personality disorder. Winner Best Director and Best Overall Tertiary Film at the 2011 Queensland New Filmmakers Award.
2014 Animation by Kate Muffet & Claudia Blackburn. A short film about a lonely lamplighter looking for purpose in a desolate robot city. Broadcast on the ABC’s Grad Season and screened at Melbourne International Animation Film Festival, Gold Coast Film Festival and St Kilda Film Festival.
2015 Drama by Sasha Folker & Dayna Yates. Minutes before Jane embarks on a new life overseas, Max decides that it is now or never for him to declare his feelings for her, and they are forced to examine if their relationship can match the ideal they can’t let go. Broadcast on the ABC’s Grad Season.
2016 Animation by Will Robson. Twin Beaks tells the story of two seagulls, Steve and Bill, who compete to get the most potato chips. Winner of Best Tertiary Animation at the ATOM Awards.
2016 Animation by Sarah Rackemann. One of humankind’s greatest achievements has been to walk on the moon but what if that first step had turned out a little differently? Winner of Best Animation at the Auckland International Film Festival.
2017 Drama by Ellie Hayward, Joe Wilkie, Aven Yap. In a clash of cultures, a Chinese-Australian tiger mother pushes her piano-prodigy teenage son to his limit so he can succeed at a pivotal audition. Official Selection at St Kilda Film Festival and winner at the Queen Palm International Film Festival. "I was fortunate enough to work with an amazing cast and crew that were all motivated to do justice to such an affecting script. Xiaohu and Daniel’s story was a pleasure to bring to the screen and it was inspiring to be surrounded by so many talented people who were all so story oriented. I believe it really shows in the final product." - Ellie Hayward, Director
Event Details
  • Date(s)
    16 Nov 2018
  • Time
    7:30pm - 9:30pm
  • Venue
    Screen, Room 140, Level 1, Building Z9
  • Location
    Z9 Block, Kelvin Grove Rd & Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane
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