Filmonik is Manchester’s most individual
short-film night. The creators describe Filmonik as an ‘open
mic’ for independent
filmmakers; ‘providing a platform outside of the
selection-based world of film festivals.’ The unperturbed and unpretentious
feel has attracted regulars and newcomers of both filmmakers and filmfans;
and has allowed Filmonik to go on and celebrate its first birthday. But
with one-year-olds, of course, there are still some teething problems;
the microphone whistles cheerfully to itself and there is a brief problem
with ‘a wire’, but the audience; young, old, bearded or bespectacled,
sit patiently in the communion of the event.
As Filmonik is a non-discriminatory affair, it allows for filmmakers
of any pedigree to screen their films. This system relies heavily on
trust. Filmmakers must appear when scheduled, have their
film ready to go, and have the Filmonik logo and screening number appear
at the end. Any filmmakers failing to adhere to these rules results in
a Fight-Club style shirts / shoes off bare-knuckle ruckus with host and
co-founder Jamie. This isn’t true, but Filmonik have
introduced a set of ‘forfeits’ for such naughty rule breakers.
One of tonight’s filmmakers has been given the forfeit of creating
and screening a themed short of the audience’s preference. The
general gist is that people want to see a film on ‘How to create
a jumper out of belly button fluff’ or ‘Something to do with
penguins…’.
Filmonik creators Jamie & Goz told The Cheese afterwards that the
forfeits have worked well over the last 12 months, as it gives the chance
for fellow filmmakers and audience members to interact and gives the
forfeited the chance to try fresh ideas and improve as a filmmaker. The
night sees a broad array of alluring films; starting with ‘Marathon
Maggot’ a
well captured spoof documentary concerning a regional, heavily mulleted,
school caretaker in his quest to raise money for the kiddies; starring
the faultless comedic talents of Ryan McDermott. Two films from Shaun
Hayton and Reach For The Dream Films are also screened; one called ‘Shushhhh’ a
horror based on a prank phone-call, and ‘Vanity George’,
a comedy about how being rude to children and wearing wigs may lead to
penis loss.
Worth noting is Brian Jones’ ‘The Other Side’ a story
of guilt that propels the protagonist into a perpetual wormhole; and
the slickly produced ‘Star Struck’; a tale of two belligerent
magicians warring over a young lady; but the highlight of the evening
is Jack Greenslave, a student from Devon who travelled to Manchester’s
Filmonik to showcase his film. Greenslave’s ‘First Kiss’ astutely
combines gorgeous scribble-animation and an emotive piano-led soundtrack
to softly depict a young girl’s tragic tale of childhood romance,
(damn that schoolbag!).
Once the films have been screened, tongues start waggling and the audience
start to mingle; each discussing tonight’s showcase. Co-creator
Jamie remembers he left his mix CD in the machine and disappears to
stop Aphex Twin ruining the room's ambiance. Filmonik, then, is an
egoless vessel for aspiring filmmakers of all experiences, ages, shapes
and sizes to become involved in the scene, making contacts, colleagues,
gaining information and gathering responses from their films: 2006 could
see Filmonik grow and grow.