By Bronwen Beechey
MELBOURNE — 1996 is the 30th anniversary of the Victorian College of the Arts' School of Film and Television (formerly Swinburne film school). Many of Australia's best known film-makers received their training at VCA/Swinburne, including Gillian Armstrong (Little Women), Geoffrey Wright (Romper Stomper), and recent award-winners Lawrence Johnston (LIFE) and Emma-Kate Croghan (Love and Other Catastrophes).
Anyone interested in spotting up-and-coming talent should check out the VCA graduate screenings over two weekends — December 6-8, and 13-15 — at the George Cinemas, St Kilda. Highlights include Titsiana Booberini, a musical comedy by Robert Luketic starring Sophie Lee and Tania Lacey, in which a young Italian girl tries to break out of her "checkout-chick" existence; Andrew French's Mini Golf, a "ball-in-cheek" documentary on this undeservedly neglected sport with commentary by sporting raconteurs Roy and HG, and a more serious look at a growing problem in Larina Wong's I Am a Compulsive Gambler.
Animation includes Sleeper by Charmaine Brown in which a sleepwalker wanders the city at night collecting debris to make "something". She's not sure what ... but it's growing. Two dramas made by well-known theatre practitioners are also worth a look: Caleopy's Lorikeet by Anthill Theatre director Jean-Pierre Mignon, and Mister Bawky, a tale of a young boy and his imaginary friend by playwright and director David Carlin.
Tickets are $10 for workers, $8 for students, $6 concession and children. Telephone (03) 9534 6922 for bookings.