Festival Director Robert Fitzhugh writes for Culture about a film festival with a difference...
The mobile phone has grown from being a method of communication into a device where we seek information, consume entertainment and capture magical moments.
On the 26th of January, Dublin's filmmaking community will descend on the Teeling Whiskey Distillery to experience the Dublin Smartphone Film Festival. But what is the Dublin Smartphone Film Festival? Good question...
Now in its second year, the DSFF is a global showcase of short films shot using either a smartphone or tablet. The festival's mission is simple: highlight the best and brightest smartphone filmmakers from around the world and inspire a new generation of filmmakers to use their phones to capture a story of their own.
Last year's event was an unprecedented success, and this year promises to be even bigger, with more than a 100 submissions spanning 25 different countries ranging anywhere from 1 minute to 15 minutes in length. Included are short films, fiction, animation and documentaries.
On top of all that, there’s also a smartphone filmmaking challenge taking place on the morning of the festival allowing budding filmmakers to get together and try their hand at making a film on their phone.
Smartphones are disrupting and changing the way movies are both made and consumed. Before, you might have a great story to tell but couldn’t afford the expensive equipment you felt you needed to tell it.
Technological advancements now mean everyone has perfect storytelling device sitting in their pocket. It’s exciting to think of what you can achieve if the prospect of expensive film equipment isn’t holding you back.
There has never been a better time to get involved. 2018 was a big year, with Steven Soderbergh’s Unsane taking smartphone filmmaking mainstream. Soderbergh shot the entire movie using a regular iPhone 7 Plus. Imagine... the ability to make a Hollywood blockbuster all in the palm of your hand.
Do you want to be a smartphone filmmaker? To get started, you need very little. First and foremost, your story is paramount. After that, all you need is your phone and some good audio equipment (good sound is essential). Then you’re ready to go.
Using your phone to make a film is just another crayon to colour with, a different way to tell your story. What’s exciting is the imaginative ways it can be used to tell it. The devices are so small some of the things current filmmakers are doing will blow your mind. If you're looking for inspiration, there's none better than viewing the movies that will be screened at this year’s festival.
From 19:30 on the 26th of January, a screening of officially selected shorts will be followed by an awards ceremony to recognize the amazing work being done by these filmmakers. There is a best Irish category, too, and we have seen some amazing homegrown talent this year. Who knows - maybe you'll be there next year!
The Dublin Smartphone Film Festival takes place on January 26th 2019 at Teelings Whiskey Distillery, Dublin - find out more here.
