Flickerfest 2021 Newcastle with the short film The Story of Lee Ping, by UoN graduate Jasmin Tarasin. Lucy Egan talks about the exciting connections Newcastle has to the festival.

Flickerfest is Australia’s largest short film festival, with a selection of the Best of Australian Shorts came to the Playhouse Theatre last friday as part of the 2021 National Tour. Celebrating its 30th year, Flickerfest showcases moving, inspiring and thought-provoking short films from 2700 entrants curated by Novacastrian director, Bronwyn Kidd.

Amongst the entries is the highlight added for both the Bondi and Newcastle screenings is The Story Of Lee Ping, directed by Newcastle University graduate and accredited filmmaker, Jasmin Tarasin. Tarasin is an award-winning writer, producer, and director, as well as being recognised as one of the top five directors world-wide for her commercial work on AdForum.

Co-produced by fellow Newcastle University graduate and senior producer, Jo McNulty, The Story of Lee Ping is set in rural 1920’s Australia and follows the story of a young Chinese immigrant and dancer, Lee Ping. She encounters Jack, a young indigenous stockman. In her director’s statement, Tarasin says, “…she is drawn to him as they share an experience of being outsiders in a lawless country.” Through their relationship, Lee Ping finds “her way back to herself” amongst the harsh Australian landscape. Running for twelve minutes, it features stunning visuals and a compelling storyline.

Studded with local imagery and names, Flickerfest sees actress Phoebe Tonkin make her directorial debut in Furlough, filmed on location in Morriset. The Exit Plan, directed by Angus Wilkinson and produced by James Buckingham, who both attended the Hunter School of the Performing Arts, was also shortlisted.

Didn’t make it to this event? Not to worry, SBS On Demand has a compilation of 30 years worth of Flickerfest.

Feature Image: The Story of Lee Ping courtesy of Flickerfest, no changes made.