By Tanya Faulkner
It’s that time of year again when the best and brightest upcoming filmmakers show their skills on the big screen.
The Ranges Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA) Inc Lantern and Light Children’s International Film Festival (LLICFF) is returning for 2023, being held at the CAMEO cinema in Belgrave.
The LLICFF is a festival of films made by young filmmakers aged 6-18, which first started in 2019 when three days of international and Australian short films made specifically by young people were officially selected, screened and awarded.
It’s pioneered by the Ranges Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA) Inc, and will be partnering with Burrinja Cultural Centre.
This year follows a very successful 2022 festival, which has been growing since Covid.
Young filmmaker Hayden Wickenton, who has been participating in the festival since it first began, said it’s a great opportunity to develop essential skills for the filmmaking industry.
“I’ve been going to RAPA for seven years now, and it has completely changed my life since I started going.
“It’s an easy place for a creative outlet, and being able to screen my work for the RAPA community, and those outside of it,” he said.
Mr Wickenton said his first film wasn’t his best work, but the film festival has provided the opportunity to hone in on his skills.
“It’s all practice, there’s a thousand short films before you get a good one, and it’s good to get as much practice as you can when you’re younger.
This year the 17 year old will be helping to produce the studio interviews that run alongside the film festival.
Film Mentor Poppy Adams, who is a supporting producer of one of the films being screened this year, said it’s set to be an amazing festival this year.
“Being in filmmaking brings all of my interests together, like storytelling, photography, video and cinematography and editing.
“I love seeing things come alive, and it’s a really accessible medium in a lot of ways that a lot of people can see and appreciate,” they said.
They said film has really impacted their life, being able to see themselves represented and other people being showcased.
“Representation is a big focus in my work, and it’s really important to get that into the public sphere through film.
“It’s a really enjoyable process, and you can meet some really interesting people and make lots of connections,” they said.
This year they worked to support their class in the creation of this years’ film and supporting students in learning new filmmaking skills.
“I helped them with the process of film creation through brainstorming and character development, writing and filming, and now in this term working on editing skills as well before the film gets screened.
“Some of the students have learned how to use the big HD camera, one of them directed the film, some are on lighting and audio,” they said.
Last year Adams was part of the judging the films, and also ran a series of interviews throughout the festival, including the likes of filmmaker Chris Wallace and some of last years’ award winners.
They also helped with various ventures of the festival, including curating a collaboration with Burrinja Cultural Centre last year to screen some of the films in November for the Cultural centre community.
In 2020 Adams was also the face of the festival on all of the advertisements, and continues to play a big role in the festival.
LLICFF festival director Rainsford Towner said this festival is one of a kind to Victoria, and gives young children from around the world the chance to see their work on the big screen.
“These young people get to see their work on the same screen that they’ve been watching the Barbie movie on, which is a very exciting and special opportunity for them,” he said.
Mr Towner said for those visiting the Cameo to watch some of the films should put the Baba Desi animation film session on their to-do list.
“We named the award for this category the ‘Baba Desi Animation award’ in recognition of him.
“The session is dedicated to his colour and wonder as the ‘Wizard of Belgrave’, and he’s the mascot of our animation festival,” he said.
This year the festival will showcase pieces from approximately 17 different countries worldwide, alongside our community’s local talent.
Mr Towner said these films are really worth the watch and you won’t see these works anywhere else in the country besides this festival.
“We’ve had a Ukranian filmmaker submit a film this year about Wartime winter in Kyiv – a mystical detective story about a childhood lost in war.
“The films being screened are just amazing; some of these students are making films that will change the Australian filmmaking scene,” he said.
Some key films to look out for this year include “Life in Motion” by Hayden Wickenton, “Frame Avenue” by Gabriel Robb-Wardlaw and “McKinley” by Sarah Elizabeth.
This year the festival will be held from 1st to the 3rd of September at the Cameo Theatre in Belgrave.
For more information on the Lantern and Light International Film Festival, visit llicff.org.au
