Lens wide shut

Ethnographic film festivals are almost non-existent in the Asia-Pacific region, with the exception of events in Taiwan and Vietnam, but a new Festival called APERTURE: Asia Pacific International Ethnographic Documentary Festival, hopes to address this situation.

An ethnographic film is a documentary with a focus on anthropology, that looks closely at groups and communities.

Ethnographic film festivals elsewhere in the world, along with similar events attached to anthropology conferences, present mainly films made by European and American filmmakers, with much of the work based there or in Africa.

Until now there has been little focus on Asia-Pacific cultures and societies.

“In the past, filmmakers originating from the Asia-Pacific region have been grossly underrepresented, mainly because of travel cost and accessibility issues. But with the new festival, APERTURE, now established, we can provide an accessible event within the region,” Dr Colucci says.

It is hoped such an event will inspire the region’s local filmmakers as well as filmmakers everywhere who have an interest in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Festival also welcomes proposals from local filmmakers who have made ethnographic films about cultures and societies located in other parts of the world, providing their work features an Asia-Pacific ethnographic perspective.

“So far, the Festival has received 115 entries from and about many parts of the Asia-Pacific. APERTURE offers a platform that promotes documentaries on Asia-Pacific cultures and society, and provides emerging filmmakers from this region the opportunity to be screened internationally and network with other filmmakers and potential producers and distributors,” Dr Colucci says.

“It will also offer opportunities for local communities to learn more about the lives of our neighbours.”

Among the entries, there may be films that show confronting issues that society needs to talk about, such as slavery, acid attacks and human rights violations. Others are more entertaining but Dr Colucci promises all of them will inspire. 

While it has been difficult to make the final selections, Dr Colucci believes many of these will films raise important issues that we might not be familiar with but which may prompt advocacy and action as responses.

The first APERTURE Festival will be held in Melbourne, 21-23 November 2013. As one of the key aims of the project is to educate about and promote the culture of the Asia-Pacific region, attendance at the Festival is free and open to the public.

Asia Institute and Centre for International Mental Health are the sponsors.

www.aperturefestival.com/‎