The seventh edition of the short film festival “A Festival is Too Short” has been launched! Last night, at the Nice Festival of Photography and Image, a large crowd gathered. Laurent Trémeau, the festival delegate, spoke in front of a packed room to thank, introduce, and congratulate the members of the Heliotrope association, the jury, and the partners who make this festival an event to remember on the French Riviera. The Heliotrope association was born 10 years ago from the then somewhat crazy idea of promoting and facilitating the distribution of short films in a region overshadowed by the Cannes Film Festival. Feature films, masters of film, cannot forget their origins. Indeed, cinema began in a way with short films, when moving images were still in the experimental stage. Experimentation is a word often associated with shorts and the work of the association. But Heliotrope defends itself and stands out from this label, preferring to talk about alternative, evolving short films “that explore new territories.” And this is Heliotrope’s strength. This is also evident from Tuesday night’s screening. Seven short films, differing in era, tone, technique, and aesthetics, followed one another on the stage of the photography theater.
To Discover
“Un chien andalou” by Luis Bunuel and Salvador Dali, set to music by Merakhaazan, opened the session. Merakhaazan improvised a musical atmosphere over this cult surrealist film. “Bendito Machine,” an animated film, traces the industrial life of a hill inhabited by very human-like characters. “La insoportable levedad del carrito de la compra,” from Hay Motivo (featured here in Nice Premium), reveals the financial precariousness of the elderly in Spain. “The Dream of Arland Wrigley” on the other hand will show you the wonderful dream full of “bubble-gum” of a dentist. “Twist” is the only short you’ll miss during the week. Shown only at the opening night, Swiss director Alexia Walther successfully juxtaposes an episode from the Gallic Wars with the Twist! These short films are therefore a must-see and recommended by your humble servant. Only “Motodrom,” a 2006 German film, did not capture attention.
To Share
Amateurs, students, and professionals of the short film thus face completely different worlds. This festival encourages reflection through debates and meetings with filmmakers and jury members, such as Serge Riaboukine, Bronze Leopard at Locarno in 1999 and Grand Prix of Nice in 2006 for “La leçon de guitare.” This French actor, attached to Nice, promises a personal judgment based on “his own tastes, rather than on genre.” This spirit thus matches the idea of “A Festival is Too Short,” which decidedly does not last long enough.
For more information, download the 2007 program of “A Festival is Too Short” or visit https://www.nice-filmfest.com/ Program Schedule.
Documents Attached
Program Schedule
