Even without the desire to produce professional-style films, short form content for TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube have allowed anyone to pick up their phones and create for the masses.
As technology booms, with advancements and better audio and visual, creative filmmakers have begun to grab their mobiles instead of bulky camera equipment.
With this new age of cinema weaving through the culture, film festivals are taking entries for categories shot entirely on smartphones.
In November of last year, Australia’s international short film festival for phones, Smart Fone Flick Fest, drew hundreds of world-wide entries. Northern Sydney locals had their smartphone films featured at the festival.
Pete Malicki from Artarmon and his thriller “Fair Paranoia” shot on a Samsung Galaxy S22 was under the Highly Commended category.
Kai Phoenix Munton from Wahroonga and his drama “Be Real” shot on an iPhone 14 Pro Max was in the Kids category.
Ella-Maree James from North Ryde and her horror “Déjà rêvé” shot on an iPhone 13 Pro Max was in the Kids category.
Amy Wallbank from Roseville and her drama “A New Page” shot on an iPhone 12 Pro was under the Mini Films category.
Sarah Armstrong and her comedy “Stacey and her toy duck” was shot on an iPhone 12 Pro was in the Mini Films category.
Reasons for turning to smartphone for filming are simple enough to understand. Mobiles are more portable, smaller, less set up is required, and more readily accessible to those who may not be able to commit to more professional supplies.
