Into the Shadows
dir. Andrew Scarano + Phil Hignett / AUS

For ten years MUFF has been championing independent and underground
filmmaking and highlighting the appalling state of the Australian
film industry. This year, we are proud to screen Andrew Scarano
and Phil Hignett’s feature documentary (fresh from last year’s MUFF
Academy), which follows these exact issues with precision and
integrity. The film tracks the development of Australian film from
its inception, through the glory years of the 1970s to the travesty
of today, and emphasizes the need for a rebirth of independent cinema
and for new and revolutionary ways of screening films. Featuring
exclusive must-see interviews from Andrew Denton, George Miller,
Rolf De Heer, Scott Hicks, Bruce Beresford, representatives from
Disney, Sony, Madman and scores of independent Aussie cinemas
and festivals, and many many more (including MUFF’s own Richard
Wolstencroft!) as well as amazing footage of landmark events such
as the closure of independent cinema Electric Shadows in 2006. You
won’t believe how much you’ll learn from this film. It’ll open your
eyes, move you, enrage you, and force you into action. Into the
Shadows is not only a fantastic film, it’s an important one - for
anyone who identifies with MUFF’s ideology, who despairs at the state
of our nation’s film industry, who laments the dominance of the
multiplex over the independent theatre, and asks – why? And more to
the point – what can we do about it? Q&A with filmmakers to follow.

Plus the following short films:

Context
dir: Stuart Simpson / AUS / 23 mins / Thriller

When a tabloid news journalist files a report on the rumours of
a supposed suburban “witch”, she finds herself dangerously too close
to the fire. A very dark and gruesome stalker/revenge short film by
Stuart Simpson.

M.C.G.F.C
dir: Anna Helme / AUS / 4 mins

The God of Fashion declares a dire and distressing fashion crisis,
and sends her trusted assistant to earth to rectify the situation.

7PM / Sat 22 Aug / Embassy
Free Grolsch beer for every punter on Opening Night