17 short films on ‘making’ to hit the screen in Murwillumbah 

‘Making’ things is an important part of how we create, live and engage with the world around us and the upcoming short film festival on Saturday 23 March at the Regent Cinema in Murwillumbah is looking at uncovering the traditions, skills and consequences of ‘making’.

This year’s program is jam-packed with 17 short films selected from around the world in Mallorca, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Singapore, India, Australia and New Zealand. The entire Makers’ Film Festival (MFF23) program is 90 minutes long, screened in two parts with an interval, with films ranging in duration from one to ten minutes.

Hosted by the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, the Makers’ Film Festival is an international short film festival dedicated to craft on the big screen. 

‘This region is home to so many incredible makers who can be inspired by this screening. Throughout the film festival we see makers from around the world wrangling with their creative process, with traditions and a wide range of materials,’ said Tweed Regional Gallery’s Curator – Public Programs Meredith Cusack.

Throughout the festival, filmmaking and story-telling approaches vary for each craft discipline presented. Interviews, documentaries and stop motion animations reveal a glorious survey of making – from furniture to public art, textiles, baskets, ceramics, glass, jewellery and more.

‘The focus is very much about how the handmade pieces carry the mark of their maker and seeing this on the big screen is magic,’ Ms Cusack said.

‘The festival is about focussing our attention on how we interact with crafted objects around us, so screening the films in such an iconic building as the Regent Cinema in the M/Arts Precinct – which is home to so many creatives – is perfect.’

The Makers Film Festival is produced by Maker & Smith. This special screening is part of a tour around Australia, New Zealand and internationally – but with only one local screening don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate makers and the art of making from around the world.

The Gallery will host this special screening in the lead up to its signature Wollumbin Art Award which will open for entries on the following Monday 25 March.