The secret to a good joke? It’s all in the context, baby.

If you saw the Easter Monday Short Film Festival screening (plagued by projector issues, disgruntled audience members and rapid exits) you may have been underwhelmed. However, the Awards Night screening was blessed with a sense of pomp and ceremony. Our most convivial host, Brian Nankervis, did a sterling job of warming the crowd up and helping the event flow smoothly (if only he had been at every screening). There was also a sense of Melburnian pride, adding to the receptiveness of the audience, and the backdrop of the Yarra through the stunning BMW Edge ‘walls’ certainly didn’t hurt.

Whilst the 16 films showed very different approaches, here are the reactions in order of screening: giggles, existential titters, raucous laughter, snickers, guffaws, chuckles, concerned amusement, hysteria, sniggers, hoots, cackles, gasps for air, gross out noises, chortles, belly laughs and, finally, awkward silence. The very respectable judging panel certainly had their work cut out for them!

The faux Oscars-style 1980s retrospective of comedic shorts, used in lieu of ‘waiting music’, added a rather amusing touch of class to proceedings.

Congratulations to all the prize winners:
Losing Face: CAE Encouragement Award
Carmichael and Shane: The People’s Choice Award & Nova Cinema’s (Runner Up) Award
Jonathon Livingstone CEO: The COMEDY CHANNEL Best Picture Award.

Let’s hope this fine event continues to support and encourage all film-makers who have the guts to get out there and do their thing to get punters laughing.

Finished reading this article? You might also like:

• Awards Wrap Up
• N.A.F.F. Film Festival (The)