One of the greatest misconceptions of short films is that they are short because they couldn't be long, maybe for lack of financing or ideas. Nothing could be further from the truth. Short films possess a language and grammar all of their own and in many cases they can explore cinematic and narrative territories that feature-length films can only dream of.
Free from the constraints of large production houses (that have to justify every film they make in terms of box-office returns), the short film is as close as one can get to pure artistic expression on film. Short films grip the audiences' imagination like an adrenalin rush and are a testament to the ability of cinema to invoke emotions with great economy and intensity, a fact that many feature-length film-makers seem to ignore. Over the years small groups of independent short film makers have lobbied to have their films screened in mainstream cinemas prior to feature-length films. While this is a desirable prospect in most countries it has not yet materialised.
Currently, the most popular platform for screening short films is in festivals and in Malta the WestSide Short Film Festival is fast becoming an established event in the international festival circuit. Now in its third edition and flaunting one of the most unique locations for such an event (The Gardjola Bastions overlooking the Grand Harbour), the organisers have put together a diverse and prestigious programme. Entrants from countries as far afield as Argentina, The United States, Australia, Japan and Singapore will screen alongside many European entrants as well as films from Israel, Jordan and Tunisia.
Apart from celebrating cultural diversity the Westside Short Film Festival offers a kaleidoscopic view of filming styles and narrative quirks from Milos Tomic's Clay Pigeon (Czech Republic, 2005), a stop motion animation in the Jan Svankmajer tradition; to Alex Vella Gera's Il-Qalziet tan-Nannu (Malta, 2007) which uses images from the past to tell an equally retrospective fable. The festival organisers, Kinemastic, have also teamed up with the organisers of the Danish Film Festival Cosmic Zoom who shall be in Malta presenting a number of films. Most notable among these is the work of Lejf Marcusson whose films have won numerous international awards including the Norman Mc.Laren Heritage Award. For the avid short film connoisseur this shall be a rare opportunity to watch Mr Marcusson's masterpiece Den Offentlige Rost (The Public Voice, 1988).
In collaboration with the British Council this year's edition will also screen eight British films. Four of the film-makers will be in Malta during the festival and together with representatives from Cosmic Zoom will be holding an informal workshop that will be a unique opportunity for Maltese film-makers and enthusiasts to share their experiences and talk shop.
Other novelties in this year's edition include the inception of an audience award for best film. As a homage to actor Oliver Reed who infamously drank his last pint at The Pub in Valletta, an exhibition by British artist Neil Fox will be held at the same pub.
• The Westside Short Film Festival is on at Gnien il-Gardjola in Valletta on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Screenings start at 8.30 p.m. Tickets may be obtained from St James Cavalier or at the door.
• More information and a full programme may be obtained online at www.kinemastik.org
Free from the constraints of large production houses (that have to justify every film they make in terms of box-office returns), the short film is as close as one can get to pure artistic expression on film. Short films grip the audiences' imagination like an adrenalin rush and are a testament to the ability of cinema to invoke emotions with great economy and intensity, a fact that many feature-length film-makers seem to ignore. Over the years small groups of independent short film makers have lobbied to have their films screened in mainstream cinemas prior to feature-length films. While this is a desirable prospect in most countries it has not yet materialised.
Currently, the most popular platform for screening short films is in festivals and in Malta the WestSide Short Film Festival is fast becoming an established event in the international festival circuit. Now in its third edition and flaunting one of the most unique locations for such an event (The Gardjola Bastions overlooking the Grand Harbour), the organisers have put together a diverse and prestigious programme. Entrants from countries as far afield as Argentina, The United States, Australia, Japan and Singapore will screen alongside many European entrants as well as films from Israel, Jordan and Tunisia.
Apart from celebrating cultural diversity the Westside Short Film Festival offers a kaleidoscopic view of filming styles and narrative quirks from Milos Tomic's Clay Pigeon (Czech Republic, 2005), a stop motion animation in the Jan Svankmajer tradition; to Alex Vella Gera's Il-Qalziet tan-Nannu (Malta, 2007) which uses images from the past to tell an equally retrospective fable. The festival organisers, Kinemastic, have also teamed up with the organisers of the Danish Film Festival Cosmic Zoom who shall be in Malta presenting a number of films. Most notable among these is the work of Lejf Marcusson whose films have won numerous international awards including the Norman Mc.Laren Heritage Award. For the avid short film connoisseur this shall be a rare opportunity to watch Mr Marcusson's masterpiece Den Offentlige Rost (The Public Voice, 1988).
In collaboration with the British Council this year's edition will also screen eight British films. Four of the film-makers will be in Malta during the festival and together with representatives from Cosmic Zoom will be holding an informal workshop that will be a unique opportunity for Maltese film-makers and enthusiasts to share their experiences and talk shop.
Other novelties in this year's edition include the inception of an audience award for best film. As a homage to actor Oliver Reed who infamously drank his last pint at The Pub in Valletta, an exhibition by British artist Neil Fox will be held at the same pub.
• The Westside Short Film Festival is on at Gnien il-Gardjola in Valletta on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Screenings start at 8.30 p.m. Tickets may be obtained from St James Cavalier or at the door.
• More information and a full programme may be obtained online at www.kinemastik.org